Sources: Florida OL Kingsley Eguakun 'Day-to-Day' Following Injury
Photo: Kingsley Eguakun; Credit: Alex Shepherd
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Starting Gators center Kingsley Eguakun suffered a lower-body injury during Wednesday's fall practice that is expected to sideline him on a "day-to-day" basis, multiple sources told All Gators on Thursday.
The full extent of Eguakun's injury, which was first examined on Wednesday, is unclear at this time.
Redshirt sophomore Jake Slaughter, and freshmen Knijeah Harris and Roderick Kearney, make up Florida's scholarship depth at center with Eguakun unable to participate. Slaughter is expected to step into a first-team role in practice as a result of Eguakun's injury.
A fifth-year redshirt junior, Eguakun has started at center in 26 consecutive games for Florida dating back to the beginning of the 2021 season, and all signs have pointed toward him maintaining the role in 2023. Prior to his elevation to the first team, Eguakun appeared in 14 games as a reserve lineman and on special teams.
Eguakun was named to the Rimington Trophy watch list on Aug. 4, which is awarded annually to the nation's best center.
His 1,747 career offensive snaps are the most of any contributor to Florida's front five, a unit that was reconstructed this offseason following the departures of four starters and four backups from last year's group.
After UF welcomed three transfers and four high school prospects — tackles Damieon George Jr., Lyndell Hudson II, Bryce Lovett and Caden Jones, guards Micah Mazzccua and Knijeah Harris, and center Roderick Kearney — to its offensive trenches this offseason, Eguakun earned praise from teammates and coaches for leading the unit by example in the meeting and practice setting.
"Kingsley does a good job when it comes to practice habits, playing the right way, attention to detail in meetings and the sense of urgency that it requires throughout the day, not only on the field," Gators offensive line coach Rob Sale described of Eguakun on July 30.
Florida head coach Billy Napier is likely to address Eguakun's injury during his Saturday press conference, following the team's second scrimmage of fall camp on Friday.
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