Florida’s offensive line looks ready to lead the charge on August 30 when the Gators open their season against LIU. Returning four starters from the 2024 season, the offensive line is entering the season with cohesion and knowledge of how to work together.
They will be led once again by Redshirt Senior and All-American, Jake Slaughter, who was also just named to the 2025 Sporting News preseason All-America First Team. He was also recently named to the All-SEC first team following the SEC Media Days on July 18, 2025.
Slaughter started all 13 games for the Gators in 2024, leading the offensive line with 800 snaps. He was ranked as the No. 5 center nationally by Pro Football Focus for his 81.1 offense grade and was ranked No. 7 in the country for his 79.0 run block grade.
Slaughter will joined up front to his left by fellow Redshirt Senior, Austin Barber and Junior, Knijeah Harris. To his right will be another Redshirt Senior, Damieon George Jr., and new to the front line, Sophomore Bryce Lovett, who is tabbed as likely to take the place of Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson, who graduated after last season.
The Gators on Tuesday placed Slaughter and Barber both on the 2025 Outland Trophy watch list.
Barber also started all 13 games for the Gators last season, logging 729 offensive snaps and recording a run block grade of 70.0 He was named SEC offensive lineman of the week during week four when he scored his first career touchdown in the Gators’ game against Mississippi State.
Last season the Gators ranked eighth in run blocking and twelfth in pass blocking. The four returning veterans plus Crenshaw-Dickson combined to allow just nine sacks and 85 pressures.
Entering into another year together, the offensive line is coming into the season stronger, more knowledgeable, and a stronger cohesive unit. Lovett, who will join the offensive line this year is known for his ability to play all five offensive line positions. He played with the Gators in the 2025 Gasparilla Bowl and recorded a 79.4 PFF grade, which was the highest among the offensive linemen with 15+ snaps.
Behind the expected starting five, Billy Napier has also expressed his optimism in the Gators’ depth at offensive line. The projected depth chart is expected to look like the following:
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, Devon Manuel
There are just three weeks until the Gators take the field for the first time in 2025.