Recognition rolls in for the Gator doing the heavy lifting up front

The hopes and dreams for the Florida Gators in 2025 will rely heavily on its ability to keep DJ Lagway upright for 12+ games. The offensive line for the Gators was a train wreck to start 2024, with Florida shuffling players around until it finally found a steady starting five that played better to close out the season.

But Jake Slaughter was a steady presence for all of 2024, and after earning All-American honors last season, it should be no surprise he is considered the top returning lineman for 2025.

Jake Slaughter is deemed one of the best in the country

Pro Football Focus put out their list of the top returning players at every position, and Slaughter was named the best returning interior lineman in the country.

They note he is the only Power Four center who earned a grade of at least 80 for both pass-blocking and run-blocking. Even if you don't buy into PFF grades as the word of the gospel, they also note that Slaughter had to navigate the 2024 season while going up against Alfred Collins, Deone Walker, Joshua Farmer, Omarr Norman-Lott, Shemar Turner, and Walter Nolen, all defensive tackles who wound up getting drafted in the first three rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft.

After biding his time in 2021 and 2022, Slaughter saw significant snaps in 2023 after Kingsley Eguakun was hampered by injuries. In 2024, Slaughter took 800 snaps and only gave up one sack on the season in addition to just eight hurries all year.

Slaughter could have easily turned pro and probably would have been drafted in the first three rounds of the NFL Draft, but he opted to come back for one more season.

His presence will be key, as Florida is returning four out of their five starters along the offensive line, with right tackle being the only position that requires a new face.

Lagway's hope heading into 2025 is that the continuity of the line will help keep him upright, as Florida hopefully won't be scrambling to find their starting five this offseason.