Gators 2024 Positional Outlook: Offensive Line
Photo: Gators offensive tackle Austin Barber; Credit: Alex Shepherd
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The winds of attrition breezed through The Swamp again this winter, with Florida making 30 total scholarship roster additions and 21 subtractions via the NCAA transfer portal, along with several departing players heading toward the NFL Draft or their post-football careers.
All Gators is breaking down each position on Florida's roster as the team approaches spring training camp, reviewing the performances of each group in 2023 and previewing their makeup for the 2024 season.
Following our dissections of the quarterback, running back, wide receiver and tight end units, Florida's offensive line is up next.
If required, All Gators will revisit positions affected by the spring transfer portal window later this offseason. We will offer final depth chart projections during Florida's fall training camp in August.
2023 Season in Review: Florida's Offensive Line
Florida was tasked with replacing four of its five offensive line starters prior to the 2023 season, and banked on the hope it could gel quickly throughout summer and fall camp.
The obstacle got exponentially harder as players were pulled and plugged while injuries piled up during the preseason regimen.
It culminated into borderline disaster when veteran center Kingsley Eguakun — who started 26 consecutive games for the Gators in 2021 and 2022 — suffered a severe ankle sprain in fall camp. It rendered him, the presumed glue of the offensive trenches, effectively inactive for most of the season, as he appeared in just four games as the hurt lingered.
The complete overhaul of all five spots from one of the nation's top units in Billy Napier and Co.'s first season in Gainesville went as expected: poorly.
At full strength, Florida operated with left tackle Austin Barber, left guard Richie Leonard IV, center Jake Slaughter, right guard Micah Mazzccua and right tackle Dameion George Jr. manning the offensive front.
The unit notably declined as run blockers, dropping from the nation's No. 25 rushing offense (200.2 yards per game) in 2022 to the No. 77 (149.8) in 2023. Simultaneously, pass protection was no better as quarterback Graham Mertz was sacked 39 times on the season — No. 114 — with 120 total pressures allowed, according to Pro Football Focus.
Signs of regression were widely documented following an abysmal showing on the road at No. 14 Utah in Week 1 and continued throughout the year en route to a disappointing 5-7 season.
Often penalized as well, the Florida offensive line group showcased struggles in all aspects, presenting little promise for the future on the year, even if it remained intact. Following the year's conclusion, several starters and rotational contributors accordingly ran for the exits via NFL Draft entry or the transfer portal.
The Gators will rebuild the group again heading into a critical year three for the Napier regime as a result.
Out and In
Scholarship players only
- Out: Kingsley Eguakun (NFL Draft), Micah Mazzccua (transferred to Nebraska), Richie Leonard IV (transferred to Florida State), Lyndell Hudson II (graduation), Jalen Farmer (transferred to Kentucky), Jordan Herman (transferred to Charlotte)
- In: Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson (transferred from San Diego State), Devon Manuel (transferred from Arkansas), Fletcher Westphal (freshman), Noel Portnjagin (freshman), Marcus Mascoll (freshman), Mike Williams (freshman)
Looking Forward
The Gators are undergoing an extensive overhaul up front offensively for the second straight season. However, unlike a year ago, the insertion of new faces could be a considerable positive.
Florida brought in two veterans to quickly fill high-volume roles within the unit's operation in the form of San Diego State transfer Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson and Arkansas transfer Devon Manuel.
The former presents the potential to be the highest value transfer pickup of the Billy Napier era in Gainesville sans O'Cyrus Torrence, given his versatility and experience of production on the exterior offensive line. During his four seasons with the Aztecs, Crenshaw-Dickson appeared in 38 total games with 35 starts, splitting time between left (17 starts) and right (18 starts) tackle.
He'll expectedly take on the starting tackle position opposite Barber — who returns following an up-and-down redshirt sophomore campaign. Given Crenshaw-Dickson's experience and Barber's notable success on the right side of the line in 2022, All Gators currently projects him to protect Mertz's blindside as the team's top left tackle.
In this scenario, his transfer counterpart, Manuel, operates rotationally as the Gators' swing tackle and first exterior offensive lineman off the bench in case of injury.
Manuel appeared in nine contests (starting four) at left tackle for Arkansas a season ago.
On the inside, Florida will lean on former starting right tackle George following his conversion to guard this offseason and promising rising sophomore Knijeah Harris.
Harris garnered high praise from offensive line coach Rob Sale and former co-offensive line Darnell Stapleton during his inaugural campaign in orange and blue, and performed well in the limited burn he received at guard throughout his true freshman campaign.
The turnover in the trenches offers Harris the opportunity to cash in early on his impressive form in practice and as a rotational piece in six contests a year ago as he commands a starting guard spot.
George will likely take on the opposite interior offensive line position, aiming to improve upon a lackluster 2023 campaign in the new role.
Slaughter will continue to occupy the starting center spot, as he did for most of 2023 as Eguakun moved in and out of the lineup due to injury. He'll be supported by redshirt freshman Roderick Kearney — who's earning immense positive buzz from those in and around the UF program upon his second collegiate season.
As a whole, Florida's offensive line will remain a looming question mark until the season commences. But, at least from a depth standpoint, 2024 should bring an improved product.
Early 2024 Gators OL Depth Chart Projection
Tackles
Starters: Austin Barber, (r-Jr.) Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson (r-Sr.)
Backups: Devon Manuel (r-Jr.), Kamryn Waites (r-Jr.), Bryce Lovett (r-Fr.)
Reserves: Caden Jones (r-Fr.), Fletcher Westphal (Fr.), Mike Williams (Fr.)
Guards
Starters: Knijeah Harris (So.), Dameion George Jr. (r-Jr.)
Backups: Roderick Kearney (r-Fr.), Christian Williams (r-So.)
Reserves: Noel Portnjagin (Fr.)
Center
Starter: Jake Slaughter (r-Jr.)
Backup: Roderick Kearney (r-So.)
Florida 2024 Positional Outlooks
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