Gators Position Preview: Offensive Line

GAINESVILLE, Florida – Of all the moves Billy Napier since moving to Florida, the talent acquisition that arguably had the biggest impact was when offensive lineman O'Cyrus Torrence Napier followed from Louisiana.

In many ways, Torrence is the poster child for Napier's recruiting philosophy on the offensive line. He was under the radar in high school, but Napier and co-offensive line coach Rob Sale saw a player with tremendous potential and the skills to develop him. They had a solid offensive line in Torrence, who became a standout in Louisiana and, in his only season with the Gators, became the program's first All-American O-lineman since Maurkice Pouncey in 2009.

Florida's offensive line wasn't exactly the Great Wall of Florida in Napier's first season, but with Torrence as its anchor and a second-round pick from the Bills in 2023, it was a much more stable unit than the one that tried to find its footing last season. It didn't help that Torrence and veterans Richard Gouraige, Ethan White and Michael Tarquin were gone, and the only returning starter, Kingsley Eguacuwas injured most of the season.

The Gators will face Miami on August 31 with a mix of familiar faces and newcomers, but a group that, at least on the eye test, shows more promise than last season's mixed squad.

The group arrived at training camp in better shape after months of being under the guidance of the new strength and conditioning coach. Tyler Mileswhich received significant support from the Centre Jake Slaughter when the camp was opened.

“I'm going to try to make Coach Miles blush,” Slaughter said as Miles stood in the back of the room. “He came in and the guys' bodies have changed drastically. The guys have gained hundreds of pounds of muscle and lost a lot of fat. I don't have the offensive line numbers here, but I'm sure he has. I feel like you've seen healthy physical changes and the guys are more agile because of it. The guys feel strong and feel confident in the building.”

If that confidence translates to the field, the Gators will be a better team. As training camp comes to a close, we continue our Gators Position Preview series with a closer look at the offensive line.

Offensive line

Welcome back: Austin Barber (6-6.25, 314, R-Jr.), Damion George Jr. (6-6, 345, R-Jr.), Jake Slaughter (6-4,5, 308, R-Jr.), Knickeah Harris (6-3, 321, Sun.), Kamryn Waites (6-8, 343, R-Jr.), Roderick Kearney (6-4, 305, R-Fr.), Christian Williams (6-4.25, 309, R-Sun.), Bryce Lovett (6-5, 317, R-Fr.), Caden Jones (6-7.5, 327, R-Fr.), Hayden Clem (6-2, 286, R-Jr.), Bryan Rosenberg (6-3, 270, R-Fr.), Mark Pitts (6-6, 309, R-Jr.)



Hello: Brandon Crenshaw Dickson (6-7, 322, R-Sr., Transfer/San Diego State), Manuel Devon (6-7, 319, R-Jr., Change/Arkansas), Jason Zandamela (6-2.75, 313, Fri., Transfer/Southern California), Michael Williams (6-5.75, 308, Fr.), Marcus Mascoll (6-4.75, 306, Fr.), Fletcher Westphal (6-8, 321, Fr.), Noel Portnyagin (6-5, 314, Fr.), Enoch Wangoy (6-7, 330, Fr.), Stevens hunts (6-2, 302, Fr.), Mark Faircloth (6-4.75, 309, Fr.), Connor Homa (6-2.25, 306, R-Fr./postponed by DL)



Goodbye: Kingsley Eguacu (authorization expired), Richie Leonard IV (Transfer/FSU), Micah Mazzccua (Transmission/Nebraska), Jalen Bauer (Wire Transfer/Kentucky), Jordan Herman (Transfer/Charlotte), Lyndell Hudson II (authorization expired), Riley Simonds (retired)

OVERVIEW

Based on the social media reaction last season, it's hard to argue that any other position on the Gators has come under more scrutiny than the offensive line. The critics started barking after the opening loss at Utah and never stopped. Florida provided plenty of ammunition with its inconsistent play on the forward defense. Still, analyzing the offensive line based on statistics can be misleading. Take Alabama last season, for example. The Crimson Tide allowed 49 sacks in 14 games, an average of 3.5, which ranks 122nd nationally. The Gators allowed 39 sacks in 12 games—22 more than the previous season—an average of 3.25, which ranks 114th nationally. The discrepancy isn't as stark as you'd expect. Alabama made the College Football Playoff and played well against eventual national champion Michigan in the semifinals. Overall, the Crimson Tide ran better, averaging 172.6 yards per game in the running game versus 149.6 for Florida. Alabama's offense, on the other hand, was much better on third down, converting more than 45 percent compared to Florida's 36.9 percent, which ranked 85th nationally. Of course, penalties, turnover margin and the defense's performance explain why Alabama won most of the time and the Gators lost seven of 12 games. The Gators have a new look for the O-line and new hope this season. In addition to Sale, they have a new co-offensive line coach in Jonathan Decosterwho came from the Cleveland Browns to replace Darnell Stapleton, who took a job in the NFL with Washington. Left Tackle Austin Barber and center Jake Slaughter are the two regulars returning. Barber is healthy again after an injury-plagued season. Slaughter, who was thrown into the reserve because Eguakun was injured, has a season full of experience and respect for his progress over the course of the season. The most important reinforcement is the right tackle Brandon Crenshaw Dicksonwho transferred from San Diego State and is expected to start at right tackle. Crenshaw-Dickson can play either tackle position and started nine games last year, five at left tackle and four at right guard. Kamryn Waites enters his third season in Florida and provides depth inside and out. Waites is coming off an Achilles injury following the 2022 season and is a player who could improve the Gators' prospects for success with a standout season. Damieon George Jr.s The move from tackle to guard is the most notable change on the line. George was a popular punching bag for fans last season when he had to play a different position as right tackle. He is better suited to play on the inside line with Crenshaw-Dickson and Waites on the outside. Knickeah Harris is the favorite for the left guard position alongside Barber. Harris signed with the Gators as the No. 1 center prospect for the 2023 class, according to ESPN. Harris spent last year mostly as a backup but plays an important role in the plans. Freshman Manuel Devon offers depth and experience at the tackle position. Manuel transferred from Arkansas, where he played nine games in 2023, including four times as left tackle. Center Roderick Kearneytackle Caden Jones and guard Christian Williams provide depth in the second unit and give the Gators more solid depth than last season. The Gators dipped into the transfer portal again as they did in 2022 with Torrence and Waites and Micah Mazzccua and George in 2023, but they appear to be trending in a positive direction with more depth and talent to leverage through old-fashioned recruiting.

If the season started today: The Gators would have 10-12 players ready for major assignments, which is a good sign given some certainties on the offensive line: There will be injuries and matchup issues, meaning the more players you have ready, the better prepared you are for the ups and downs of life in the trenches. The improved strength and conditioning of this unit cannot be overlooked when considering potential improvements.

Speculation: Two foreigners are part of the position group, which represents an interesting dynamic compared to the historical tradition. Freshmen Noel Portnyagin comes from Germany and is a first-year student Enoch Wangoya late summer signing, calls Manchester, England, his home. They are both £300 players and development players. Napier and Sale are known for seeking out undervalued recruits and it will be interesting to see if the new additions from across the pond develop into top performers one day.

Notable quote: “Our offensive line, Coach Sale, Coach Decoster and really our whole staff did a great job in the spring and summer of getting guys in school, guys in the portal, guys that were here that we developed. That was all part of the plan, to be honest. We did a really good job of recruiting and developing that position and we're going to continue to do that because this league is about the trenches and we all know that.” – Co-Offensive Coordinator Russ Callaway

Next: Defensive line

POSITION PREVIEW SERIES

Quarterback (August 14)
Running back (August 15)
Receiver/Tight End (August 16)