Florida head coach Billy Napier prioritized the offensive line from the earliest days of his Gators tenure. He hired offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Rob Sale from the NFL, and added another line coach with Darnell Stapleton.
That investment led to a strong front five in Napier’s first season. Louisiana transfer O’Cyrus Torrence earned All-American honors, and the Gators’ line mauled defenses to create one of the best rushing attacks in the Southeastern Conference.
Florida lost four key players from last year’s offensive line. Torrence left for the NFL alongside tackle Richard Gouraige, and established starters Michael Tarquin and Ethan White both left in the Transfer Portal. Even with those losses, the Gators boast a talented, retooled line.
The line is anchored by redshirt junior Kingsley Eguakan. Eguakan started every game at center in each of the last two seasons and brings needed experience to a young, but talented, group of lineman.
“Kingsley does a good job when it comes to practice habits and playing the right way and attention to detail in meetings,” Sale said in a July 30 press conference.
Eguakan has battled injuries in Fall camp. The Jacksonville native is “day-to-day” and his status for the season opener is still unclear, Napier said. Redshirt sophomore Jake Slaughter is among the players who could fill in should Eguakan miss time.
“Jake Slaughter is a player I have the utmost confidence in,” Napier said in an Aug. 25 press conference. “I think we feel good about the depth there of the interior offensive line.”
Redshirt sophomore tackle Austin Barber is one of those talented young players. The Jacksonville native earned College Football News Freshman All-American honors for his play last season.
Junior guard Richie Leonard IV is the other experienced lineman for the Gators. While he’s yet to serve as a full-time starter, Leonard played in 19 games at multiple positions across his first two seasons. He’s in line for his first starting role this season.
While Florida lacks experience, Napier added high-profile recruits and transfers to bolster the line. Junior guard Micah Mazzccua transferred to Gainesville from Baylor. The Philadelphia native was one of the top linemen in the Transfer Portal last season.
Mazzccua has battled injuries throughout his brief Florida tenure, though, and missed time at the beginning of fall camp.
Redshirt senior tackle Lyndell Hudson II and redshirt sophomore Damieon George Jr. transferred in from Florida International and Alabama, respectively. Both will factor into UF’s depth chart this season.
On the recruiting trail, the Gators added a pair of big-time interior linemen. Freshman Knijeah Harris was the top-ranked center prospect by ESPN and was named to the 247Sports Preseason True Freshman All-American team.
“Football comes easy to him,” Sale said in a July 30 press conference. “He looked like he’s been around here three or four years.”
Freshman Roderick Kearney was a top 150 recruit in the 247Sports composite rankings, but he isn’t expected to play a huge role as a true freshman.
Tight end is another physical position Florida is trying to develop under Napier. The group is led by tight ends coach Russ Callaway, who was named to On3’s list of rising stars amongst Power Five coaches.
Senior Keon Zipperer led the group in receiving last season with 177 yards last season. He’s made 38 catches for 486 yards and four touchdowns in his Florida career. However, the Lakeland, Florida, product suffered a serious knee injury in spring camp.
Junior Jonathan Odom and redshirt senior Dante Zanders provide some experience on the active roster.
Odom finally saw his first real playing time last season and caught seven passes for 69 yards and two scores. Zanders, a former defensive lineman, had some growing pains in his first season at tight end last year. His 6-foot-5-inch frame gives him tantalizing potential as a red zone threat, though.
Outside of Odom and Zanders, Florida boasts a group of young players all vying for a spot at tight end. Redshirt freshman Arlis Boardingham, freshman Tony Livingston and redshirt freshman Hayden Hansen give the Gators additional depth and potential at the position.
“We've got really good young players in that room,” Napier said in an Aug. 25 press conference. “That's one of the positions on our team where we're going to have young players playing.”
UF opens the 2023 season with a road trip to face the No. 14 Utah Utes Thursday night. The showdown is slated for 8 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN.
Contact Topher Adams at tadams@alligator.org. Follow him on Twitter @Topher_Adams.
Topher Adams is a fourth-year communications major and in his fourth semester with the Alligator. He previously covered football, baseball and women's basketball. He also enjoys professional lacrosse and Major League Soccer.
