Gator Country continues breaking down each position group on Florida’s roster ahead the start of fall camp on July 30th.
OFFENSIVE LINE
One of the main reasons for optimism entering Billy Napier’s fourth year as head coach is Florida’s offensive line room, which returns four starters from the 2024 season including All-American center Jake Slaughter. The four have combined for 5,390 career snaps across 85 starts, making them one of the most experienced offensive line units in the country. According to Pro Football Focus, Florida holds the 4th best offensive line entering the 2025 season.
In 2024, Florida ranked 8th in run blocking and 12th in pass blocking, according to PFF. The Gators allowed just nine sacks and 85 pressures last season, displaying a significant improvement in pass protection after allowing 23 sacks and 126 pressures in 2023.
From left to right, Gator Country projects Florida’s starting offensive line: Austin Barber, Knijeah Harris, Jake Slaughter, Dameion George, Bryce Lovett.
NEW RIGHT TACKLE
One of the biggest question marks within the offensive line room is who will step up at right tackle after Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson graduated from the program. Redshirt sophomore Bryce Lovett is expected to get the first shot after taking first team reps at right tackle during spring camp. While Lovett is far and away the least experienced projected starting offensive lineman, he gained valuable experience as a key rotational piece last season, logging 359 snaps across 13 games including three starts.
Lovett is constantly praised for his ability to play all five positions along the offensive line. In 2024, the 6’5, 326-pound lineman logged snaps at every position outside of center along the offensive line. Playing at right tackle for the first time in Florida’s bowl game vs Tulane, Lovett posted a PFF grade of 79.4, the highest among Gators offensive lineman with 15+ snaps vs the Green Wave. He allowed just one pressure across 39 pass blocking snaps.
Redshirt senior Devon Manuel and redshirt sophomore Caden Jones are expected to compete for the position throughout fall camp.
CLOSER LOOK AT DEPTH
While Florida’s starting offensive line seems close to finalized, depth along the offensive line is critical to a team’s success as you can expect an injury or two throughout the season. The Gators will use roughly seven offensive linemen in each game, so having reserves that are capable of playing at a high level is important.
The two most experienced depth pieces are a pair of redshirt seniors in Kamryn Waites and Devon Manuel. Standing at a towering 6’8, 370 pounds, Waites has played both guard and tackle throughout his career but hasn’t necessarily found a home at either position. Waites primarily played guard throughout spring camp but is someone that could provide depth at nearly every position. Manuel logged 58 snaps across three games at left tackle before suffering an injury which sidelined him for the rest of the season. Outside of Waites and Manuel, Florida will turn to some younger and inexperienced players for depth.
Redshirt freshman Flecther Westphal is entering his second season after playing in four games and tallying 29 offensive snaps last year. Westphal projects as a reserve tackle.
Billy Napier has raved about the progress Roderick Kearney has made since stepping foot in Gainesville in 2023, but we’ve only seen 74 career snaps from him. The analytics loved Kearney’s play last season, albeit a very small sample size. Kearney posted a pass blocking grade of 85.3, the highest on the Gators. Kearney didn’t allow a single pressure in 30 pass blocking snaps. His run blocking grade of 79.0 ranked second on the Gators, trailing only All-American center Jake Slaughter. The 6’4, 305-pound offensive lineman can play all three interior positions and could serve as one of the primary backups at left guard, center, and right guard.
Redshirt freshman Jason Zandamela is now working at center after switching from guard in the offseason. The 6’3, 319 pound offensive lineman did not appear in a game throughout his freshman campaign. Redshirt freshman Marcus Mascoll is reportedly making strides at center as well.
After redshirting in 2023, Caden Jones appeared in four games last season, logging 28 offensive snaps with an offense grade of 75.2 and a run block grade of 73.2 according to PFF. Florida’s staff believes Jones has a bright future and could work his way into a starting caliber offensive tackle at some point. You can expect Jones to push for playing time at right tackle this season after battling injuries early in his career.
Florida’s depth is a mixed bag from an experience standpoint, which leaves a few question marks entering 2025. However, the Gators should feel great about the experience and skill level along the starting offensive line. If Florida stay’s healthy, there’s no reason why they shouldn’t have one of the top offensive lines in the country.
PROJECTED DEPTH CHART
LT: Austin Barber, Flecther Westphal, Jahari Medlock
LG: Knijeah Harris, Kamryn Waites, Noel Portnjagin
C: Jake Slaughter, Jason Zandamela, Marcus Mascoll
RG: Damieon George Jr, Rodrick Kearney, TJ Dice Jr.
RT: Bryce Lovett, Caden Jones or Devon Manuel