Projecting Florida's 2023 Offensive Line Depth Chart

Photo: Austin Barber; Credit: Zach Goodall 

No position on Florida's roster was overturned quite like the offensive line was this offseason. Although a multitude of groups experienced significant attrition, none made as many player transactions in the transfer portal windows and signing periods as coaches Rob Sale and Darnell Stapleton's unit.

Eight offensive linemen from the 2022 squad departed between November and July, eight were added between December and May, and one of the newcomers — tackle Kiyaunta Goodwin — left the team last month to reunite with his mother as she battles cancer. 

It's safe to assume the Gators' first-team offensive line is going to look much different this year. If you don't believe that already, understand that four of the blockers no longer with the program were starters last year. 

In continuation of our depth chart projection series, All Gators shares its predictions for Florida's starting five offensive linemen, key backup blockers and reserves entering the 2023 season. AG's previous depth chart projections can be found at the bottom of this story.

The Starting Five

Left tackle: Austin Barber

Primed to take the next step as a starting lineman, Austin Barber enters his redshirt sophomore year solidified as Florida's first-team left tackle after manning the swing tackle role, playing both sides and spot-starting last season en route to 654 offensive snaps.

While Florida has toyed with its lineup this offseason to fill its holes with the most capable players, Barber has been a constant as the blindside protector of the Gators' quarterbacks in the practice setting this year.

"The more reps he gets, the better he's going to get ... he's getting better and better with every snap that he gets," Sale said about Barber on July 30. "Just the standard of effort and toughness and finish, it jumps off the tape, and you want that to be infectious attitude to everybody else across the board."

The 6-foot-6, 312-pound Barber received Freshman All-American recognition for his play in 2022. He gave up only one sack in 13 appearances.

Left guard: Richie Leonard IV

Similar to Barber although to a lesser extent in terms of usage, Leonard also occupied a swing backup role on Florida's offensive line in 2022, playing both guard spots within a rotation and once as a starter in place of O'Cyrus Torrence when he was sidelined for a game with an injury.

Benefitting from the experience — 222 offensive snaps on the year — Leonard, a 6-foot-2, 310-pound junior, has worked with Florida's first-team offensive line throughout this entire offseason. 

Leonard appeared to settle in at left guard, next to Barber, during fall training camp. The move offered a projection that the left side of UF's starting offensive line through the center spot will feature three returning contributors while the right side is likely to showcase two transfers.

Center: Kingsley Eguakun (if healthy)

A rising third-year starter and fifth-year redshirt junior, Eguakun was named to the Senior Bowl watch list on Wednesday and enters the campaign as Florida's most experienced blocker with over 1,700 offensive snaps to his name. He has established himself as a leader on the line alongside Barber and will be relied upon as the new faces gain comfort playing in Florida's offensive system.

However, the 6-foot-3, 302-pound Eguakun suffered a lower-body injury that ruled him out of the final two days of Florida's fall training camp. Although the team labeled Eguakun as "day-to-day" at the time, it is unclear if he has fully recovered by press time for this story or if he will be ready to go in Week 1.

In the event that Eguakun can not play in the season opener, redshirt sophomore Jake Slaughter would be slated to assume center duties. We'll discuss Slaughter's season-long role further in-depth in the key backups section.

Right guard: Micah Mazzccua 

Florida's first offensive line transfer acquisition of the offseason, Micah Mazzccua was a priority for the Gators in the winter portal after All-American O'Cyrus Torrence entered the 2023 NFL Draft and fellow 2022 starter Ethan White left the team.

The 6-foot-5, 337-pound junior will replace Torrence on the right side of the line after exclusively playing left guard in 21 games at Baylor, including 10 starts.

Mazzccua has developed a reputation for blocking with a mean streak in practice. Gators edge rusher Tyreak Sapp summed up how Mazzccua's practice habits benefit the development of the defensive linemen in front of him, and vice versa.

"Micah, experienced guy. Got a lot of game experience," Sapp said on Aug. 9. "I work with him every day. He makes me better, I make him better. We just try to push each other to the best of our abilities, so we understand that we're gonna get the most out of everything we do. 

"We're gonna push the envelope, we're gonna get edgy, it's gonna get hot, it's gonna get heated. But we're all for it because at the end of the day, we're brothers. So at the end of the day we can push the envelope, we can go across that edge because we understand how we want to work for each other."

Right tackle: Damieon George Jr. or Lyndell Hudson II

Unlike the other four spots, a starter isn't quite clear at right tackle for Florida at this time. 

Alabama transfer and redshirt sophomore Damieon George Jr. appeared poised to fill the role during spring and most of fall camp. But once Florida International summer transfer and redshirt senior Lyndell Hudson II returned to practice from a recent concussion, he immediately began to push for a role.

“Lyndell is gonna help us. There’s no question. He’s been impressive in my opinion," head coach Billy Napier said about Hudson on Aug. 19, less than a week after he returned to full participation. 

"To think about when he arrived, he’s been able to pick it up ... Guy’s played a lot of football. He has traits. He’s got nice length, he’s got a 36 arm, which is really unique. He’s done a nice job in pass protection. And I think he’s developed some confidence as a result of his participation in practice. We’re very pleased with his progress. We've got to get him ready to go so he will get some more reps.” 

Hudson, 6-foot-5, 329 pounds, spent five seasons at FIU. He made 25 starts, 38 appearances and 1,564 snaps on the Panthers' offensive line before transferring to Florida in May.

That all being said, Hudson's post-spring camp arrival and unavailability for the majority of fall camp naturally offered George the majority of Florida's first-team right tackle practice reps. 

Hailing from a similar offensive system deployed by the Crimson Tide, the 6-foot-6, 361-pound George found immediate comfort within Florida's scheme upon taking the gridiron.

"We've got Damieon George who came from another school that's run similar concepts," Sale said about George on July 30. "Now it's just word association, getting him in there to play good football and gelling with his teammates next to him, and he's done a good job." 

The player who doesn't win the battle to start at right tackle will begin the season in the swing tackle role. In an effort to keep the starting tackles fresh, the swing tackle is likely to earn significant playing time in a rotation much like Barber did a year ago.

Key Backups

Swing tackle: Lyndell Hudson II or Damieon George Jr.

See the right tackle section above.

Swing guard: Jalen Farmer and Knijeah Harris

Although technically a swing lineman role is occupied by one player per position, Florida players and coaches have expressed confidence in both redshirt freshman Jalen Farmer and true freshman Knijeah Harris to take the field along the interior offensive line if called upon.

Harris, in particular, has earned rave reviews during his first offseason in Gainesville. The 6-foot-3, 325-pound IMG Academy product brings four years of high school starting experience to the table and is technically advanced for a lineman of his age.

“I think it just comes natural to him," Barber said about Harris' understanding of offensive line play on Aug. 1. 

"Playing at IMG with the best coaches in high school football, a lot of them guys worked in college and they got some in the NFL. That’s what he really benefitted from, learning the college mindset, college plays, stuff like that and I think coming in, I think it was easy to him and I think it’s shown.” 

Farmer, meanwhile. redshirted his first season with the Gators after making two appearances. He was limited in spring camp following an undisclosed surgery, but according to Napier, the "dots are connecting" for the 6-foot-5, 307-pound guard in the practice setting this fall. 

Stapleton was also complimentary of the development Farmer displayed in the spring while he was shelved.

“Jalen Farmer has been doing awesome," Stapleton said. "He’s really turned the light switch on in terms of being a pro. Day in and day out, he’s coming in and getting extra film. He understands that he’s not getting the physical reps that everybody’s getting so he has to double down on the mental reps. I’m very proud of his approach."

Backup center: Jake Slaughter

With only freshmen behind him at this point, Slaughter has maintained his standing as Florida's backup center after taking on the role last year. 

Eguakun's in-season dependability only allowed Slaughter to play 19 snaps this year, but the veteran's absence near the end of fall camp offered Slaughter a chance to prove his worth with the first team in practice.

"My boy Slaughterhouse, man. It’s hard to say he’s improved on things ‘cause in my opinion, he’s always been a freak; he’s always been a hard worker," Eguakun described Slaughter on March 7. 

"He puts in the time, and I enjoy being around Jake to be honest with you. But he’s definitely looking good to me so far. He’s improved a lot. I think he’ll be good for us. Jake, he’s a dog for sure."

The 6-foot-5, 301-pound Slaughter signed with Florida in the recruiting class of 2021 out of local Ocala (Fla.) Trinity Catholic. 

Reserves

Tackle

• Jordan Herman, redshirt sophomore, 6-foot-8, 371 pounds
• Kamryn Waites, redshirt sophomore, 6-foot-8, 364 pounds: Waites returned to practice in a limited capacity this fall after suffering an Achilles injury during offseason workouts. His availability to play in Week 1 is unclear at this time.
• Bryce Lovett, freshman, 6-foot-5, 330 pounds
• Caden Jones, freshman, 6-foot-8, 345 pounds: Jones did not partake in fall training camp due to an undisclosed injury.  His availability to play in Week 1 is unclear at this time.
• Mark Pitts (walk-on), redshirt sophomore, 6-foot-6, 318 pounds

Guard

• Christian Williams, redshirt freshman, 6-foot-4, 310 pounds
• Riley Simonds, redshirt junior, 6-foot-3, 304 pounds

Center

• Roderick Kearney, freshman, 6-foot-4, 287 pounds
• Knijeah Harris 

Previous Gators 2023 Depth Chart Projections

• Quarterback
• Running back
• Wide receiver
• Tight end

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