Experience and size should lead the Gators’ offensive line this season

With the season around the corner and fall camp underway, Gator Country gives you an in-depth breakdown of the position groups and a projected depth chart. 

Offensive Line

The Gators offensive line had a great season last year, allowing just 16 sacks (including bowl game), good enough for 2nd in the SEC. Florida also averaged 464 yards of offense, ranking 4th in the SEC. Gators averaged 5.5 yards per carry last season ranking 1st in the SEC and 4th in the country. 

The Gators lost Jean Delance (NFL) and Stewart Reese (graduate) during the offseason.

Billy Napier has placed an emphasis on the offensive line by hiring two offensive line coaches, Rob Sale and Darnell Stapleton. 

 Having a productive offensive line is going to be crucial in determining the outcome of Florida’s season and beyond. 

Napier is not concerned with the offensive line unit this season. 

“I’m very comfortable with that group, I think there is competition there. I think we know who six, seven, and eight are,” Napier said. “I think we’ve got eight players that would deserve to play if we had a game today.”

Having eight offensive lineman that can play in the SEC is a great start considering it’s just week two of fall camp. If Napier and staff can find a 9th and a 10th, there won’t be many teams in the country sitting in a better spot at that position than the Gators. 

Richard Gouraige 

Gouraige has played over 2,000 snaps across 29 starts in his career for the Gators. He’s undoubtedly the leader along the offensive line as he was one of Florida’s representatives at SEC Media Days. Gouraige has blocked for four different Gator QBs and has played both guard and tackle throughout his first four years. You can expect Gouraige to be tasked with blocking Richardson’s blind side this season. He’s spent the last two years at left tackle, which is where he seems the most comfortable. Gouraige is listed at 6-5, 308 pounds, plenty big to anchor down the left side of the line. 

O’Cyrus Torrence

Torrence is likely the best offensive lineman on the Gators and could be the best player on the team. Torrence was the only Gator selected to the preseason All-SEC first team during the offseason. The guard transfer from Louisiana stands at 6-5, 347 pounds. It’s safe to say Torrence has the size to play in the SEC. Like Gouriage, Torrence has played in many college football games. Torrence has started 35 games at Louisiana in just three seasons. He was also named first team All-Sun Belt last year. Torrence could very well elevate this offensive line to the next level this season. 

Kingsley Eguakun 

Eguakun hasn’t played as many games as the previous, but still started all 13 games at center last season. The Jacksonville product stands at 6-3, 301 pounds, according to Florida. Eguakun has received high praise from Gouraige and staff members during the offseason. Having a center with experience is a leg up for the Florida Gators. 

Ethan White

When White arrived at Florida back in 2019, he weighed over 400 pounds. White now weighs 331 pounds with a 6-4 frame. White has worked very hard since he’s been on campus to get his weight down and keep it that way. He’s not even the heaviest starting offensive lineman now. White started for the first-time last season, starting in the first seven games, appearing in eight total. White suffered an ankle injury against LSU which kept him out until the Gasparilla Bowl. Injuries are nothing new for White as he’s battled them throughout his career. If White can stay healthy, he should be a dominating force this season. 

Michael Tarquin 

Tarquin is easily the least experienced lineman in the starting five. He’s started just two games of his 25 appearances during his first three years at Florida. The Ocala product missed his senior season at North Marion due to a torn labrum. Tarquin still found himself as a four-star prospect ranked inside the top 300. Tarquin has played left and right tackle with the Gators, but I expect him to line up on the right side this season. Tarquin has put on a lot of muscle and weight since joining the Gators. He now stands at 6-5, 320 pounds. The staff is very excited about Michael Tarquin this season. 

Josh Braun

Napier said they know who their six, seven, and eight are on the depth chart, Braun is certainly one of those. He started seven games last season for the Gators, appearing in all 13.  Braun is a massive human being, standing at 6-6, 351 pounds. With the addition of Torrence, there isn’t a spot in my starting rotation for Braun. However, Braun is going to see the field and compete for a starting job. Having really solid options off the bench is great news due to the high injury risk at the position. 

Projected Depth Chart

Left Tackle 

Starter – Richard Gouraige 

Backup- Austin Barber

Left Guard

Starter- Ethan White 

Backup- Richie Leonard

Center 

Starter- Kingsley Eguakun 

Backup- Jake Slaughter 

Right Guard

Starter- O’Cyrus Torrence

Backup – Josh Braun

Right Tackle 

Starter- Michael Tarquin

Backup- Kamryn Waites

If I had to guess who the six, seven, and eight are on the depth chart it would be Josh Braun, Austin Barber, and Richie Leonard. I believe that Kamryn Waites and Jake Slaughter have some work to do before the staff is comfortable letting them play significant snaps. 

The first thing that stands out to me about the offensive line is the experience. The Gators 1st team has started 86 games collectively, if you add in Josh Braun, that’s 93 starts between the top six offensive lineman on the Gators. 

The next focal point is the sheer size. The average weight of my starting five is 321.4 pounds, that’s going to be one of the biggest offensive lines in the country. Not a single starter is south of 300 pounds. Last year Florida had the 2nd largest offensive line in the country, with an average height of 6’5.4 and weight of 334.4 pounds, according to Crescent City Sports. Our weight this season would have ranked us 10th in the country last season, tied with Alabama. 

The offensive line unit could be the Gators best position group this season. If they can establish a ninth and a tenth on the depth chart, the Gators will be sitting in an amazing spot entering the 2022 season. 

Nick Marcinko
Nick is a recent graduate from the University of Florida with a degree in Telecommunications. He is passionate about all sports but specifically baseball and football. Nick interned at Inside the Gators and worked part time with Knights247 before joining the Gator Country family. Nick enjoys spending his free time golfing and at the beach.