The Florida Gators didn't have anyone selected in the 1st round of the 2025 NFL Draft. That ended a five-year streak of having someone selected in the first round.
But based on way too early mock drafts for the 2026 NFL Draft there are multiple Gators in the running to rise up into the first round next year in Pittsburgh.
Jake Slaughter came back to Florida for one more go-around
Had Slaughter opted to come out this year there is some potential he could have been a 1st round pick this year, though he probably would have wound up as a Day 2 pick.
The All-American is the 15th-best 2026 prospect, according to Pro Football Focus.
Caleb Banks
Banks is another player who could have left for the draft this year but opted to come back for one more year.
CBS Sports is bullish on Banks and has him as the 4th best 2026 prospect. They did note to get to this spot that "Banks will need to take his game to another level."
USA Today recognizes Banks as a potential 1st round prospect but isn't quite as high and has him at 21st overall.
Tyreak Sapp
After seven sacks in 2024, Sapp also could have gone to the draft but is probably the one player on Florida's roster who will benefit the most from one more year.
USA Today currently has Sapp as the 20th-best 2026 prospect.
Austin Barber
Of the 192 offensive tackles who took at least 650 snaps in 2024, Barber was 37th in pressures allowed with 13.
So, while he has been a steady presence for Florida the past couple of seasons, he is going to need a big season if he is going to live up to the first-round billing that USA Today has for him.
He is ranked 11th in their mock draft.
Roderick Kearney
If you want a completely bold take, Bleacher Report projects Kearney as a first-round pick in 2026.
Kearney saw his first real action in the Gasparilla Bowl at right guard and did well as he didn't allow a single pressure.
But there isn't a clear pathway that Kearney will even be a starter for Florida in 2025, so he is going to need a huge boost in play to reach this first-round projection.