Florida Gators 2025 Position Preview: Offensive Line originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
As the adage goes, football games are won in the trenches. This is something Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier takes to heart. He has loaded up the Gators’ offensive line since taking over in 2022.
The Gators’ line was imposing in 2024 and will have four out of five starters returning for the upcoming season. After losing right tackle Brandan Crenshaw-Dickson to the NFL during the offseason, Napier and Florida had to replace just one starter from a year ago.
Headlined by a force in the middle with one of, if not the best, centers in the country, who is back for a fifth season, the Gators’ front five is poised for a big season in 2025.
Jake Slaughter is coming off one of the greatest seasons a Florida center has ever had. He led the Gators in Pro Football Focus pass and run block grades, resulting in a selection on the AP All-American First Team. He became just the 13th offensive lineman in program history to earn a brick outside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium with the honor.
At left tackle, Austin Barber returns as the starter in 2025. He started all 13 games last season at the position, earning SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week honors against Mississippi State. Like Slaughter, Barber is entering his fifth season with the Gators.
Knijeah Harris returns as the starting left guard for Florida this fall. The junior from IMG Academy has played in all 25 games during his career with the Gators, starting all 13 in 2024. He had a run block grade of 72.5 last season, according to PFF.
Florida’s right guard this season will likely be Damieon George Jr. He is entering his sixth collegiate season this year. George spent his first three years with the Alabama Crimson Tide before transferring to Gainesville in 2023. In 10 starts last season, George did not allow a sack in 412 offensive snaps.
Finally, at right tackle, Florida will need a new starter with Crenshaw-Dickson gone. Thankfully for Napier and his line, the Gators have an impressive next-in-line replacement to fill the void. Bryce Lovett, who is coming off a splendid freshman season, played in all 13 games last year, making three starts. He took snaps at both guard and tackle, while allowing just one sack.
With the star-studded, veteran presence on Florida’s offensive line to go along with one new starter in 2025, quarterback DJ Lagway and the Gators’ running back room will look for incredible protection this season.
Athlon Sports’ Florida Gators 2025 Position Previews:
Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Wide Receivers
Tight Ends
Related: DJ Lagway Receives High Praise from College Football Expert
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 18, 2025, where it first appeared.
