GAINESVILLE — The fifth in a position-by-position preview of the Florida Gators football team leading up to SEC Media Days.
TODAY: OFFENSIVE LINE
What to expect
Florida’s offensive line features an All-American center, considerable experience and plenty of promise. How well the group puts it all together will go a long way toward determining the fate of the 2025 Gators. If UF’s big uglies do their job, embattled coach Billy Napier’s offense could long last be a joy to watch.
Florida has yet to reach the upper half of the SEC in scoring during Napier’s three seasons, finishing 11th of 16 teams in 2024 with an average of 28.3 points per game. But sophomore quarterback DJ Lagway, a deep stable of running backs and a plethora of playmakers on the perimeter have positioned the Gators to find the end zone more often.
Jake Slaughter, Austin Barber and Co. aim to pave the way.
An Associated Press first-team All-America selection in 2024, Slaughter is the unit’s anchor and heartbeat; he was the only Power Four center who earned 80-plus grades as both a pass-blocker and run-blocker, according to Pro Football Focus. Barber has made an O-line-leading 26 starts, including all 13 games in last season despite nursing various injuries.
Massive redshirt senior Damieon George Jr. (6 foot 6, 362 pounds) found a home at right guard after committing eight penalties at tackle in 2023 while redshirt sophomore Knijeah Harris was rock solid during his first season as a starter on the left side. PFF graded each with identical 72.4 run-blocking grades, tied for sixth in the SEC.
Meanwhile, coaches hope versatile sophomore Bryce Lovett, who started three times in 2025, emerges at right tackle. He will compete with 6-7 ½, 336-pound Caden Jones, a redshirt sophomore who battled injuries in 2023-24.
Former top recruits Roderick Kearney, a stout (6-4, 307) redshirt sophomore able to play guard and center, and towering redshirt freshman tackle Fletcher Westphal (6-8, 336) will push for a spot in the rotation. Ditto redshirt seniors Kamryn Waites, who stands at 6-8, 370 pounds, and Devin Manuel, a 6-7, 307-pound former Arkansas transfer yet to make an impact at UF.
Coaches expect the best is yet to come from redshirt freshman center Jason Zandamela, a 6-2 ¾, 319-pound Clearwater native who transferred from USC in the spring of 2024.
With four returning starters, three who started every game in ’24, and boundless options, Florida should field its best offensive line since 2022. With All-America guard O’Cyrus Torrence leading the way, UF averaged 5.51 yards per carry and yielded just 17 sacks for a six-win team.
This time, the Gators hope it equates to more W’s — and TDs.
What they’re saying
“This is by far the deepest offensive line room that we’ve had since we’ve been here. We got guys that can play. Coach Napier does a great job of evaluating the offensive line. He’s a closeted offensive line coach. I do like the room. It’s really talented.” — Offensive line coach Rob Sale
Returnees
Austin BarberDamieon George Jr.Knijeah HarrisCaden JonesRoderick KearneyBryce LovettMarcus MascollDevon ManuelNoel PortnjaginJake SlaughterKamryn WaitesEnoch WangoyFletcher WestphalJason Zandamela
Departures
Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson
New arrivals
TJ Dice Jr. (College Park, Ga.), true freshmanJahari Medlock (Atlanta), true freshmanDanie Pierre Louis (Royal Palm Beach), true freshman
Projected depth chart (offseason)
LT — Austin Barber | Fletcher WestphalLG — Knijeah Harris | Roderick KearneyC — Jake Slaughter | Jason ZandamelaRG — Dameon George Jr. | Kamryn WaitesRT — Bryce Lovett l Devon Manuel
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Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com