Florida Gators Offensive Lineman Arrested

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Hugh Green | Last updated Jul 19, 2025 2:16 PM ET

Coming off SEC Media Days this past week and with their first practice of fall camp on July 30, the Florida Gators are set to begin their 2025 football season in just over a month. With Billy Napier entering his fourth year at UF, Florida is hoping for a big year. However, Napier and the Gators received some unfortunate news late this week.

Florida offensive lineman Devon Manuel was arrested Friday morning in Gainesville, reported by 247Sports' Graham Hall. He is facing charges for misdemeanor DUI and felony possession of a concealed weapon, according to police records.

Manuel was pulled over driving southbound on Southwest 34th Street in the early hours of Friday morning for driving approximately 60 miles per hour in a 45 miles per hour speed limit zone, per the report.

When the officers approached Manuel's vehicle, they "detected the odor of marijuana emanating from within inside the vehicle," according to the report. Manuel told the officers he had inhaled from a cartridge before driving, per the report. He also told them he had a weapon in the vehicle on the right side of the driver's seat.

The officers had Manuel conduct the field sobriety exercises, in which the police said Manuel did poorly, according to the report. Manuel accepted taking a breath sample when the officers asked, and his results were a 0.000, the report said.

When the officers searched Manuel's vehicle, in which he was operating alone, they found a Glock 20 pistol loaded but not chambered with 14 rounds between the driver's seat and center console, per the report. They also found a vape device with the letters "THC" on the floor of the driver's side of the vehicle, the report noted.

Manuel was booked in Alachua County Jail and was released on bond.

Manuel is entering his redshirt senior year with Florida in his second season with the Gators. The 6-foot-7, 307-pound offensive lineman transferred to Florida before the 2024 season after spending his first three collegiate years with the Arkansas Razorbacks. Manuel appeared in three games at offensive tackle last year.

Saturday morning, a UF spokesperson released a statement Saturday regarding Manuel's arrest, according to Hall.

"We are aware of the situation with Devon Manuel," the spokesperson said. "We will gather all the facts and monitor the situation."

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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