LT: 57-Devon Manuel R-Jr; 65-Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson R-Sr; 68-Fletcher Westphal F; 73-Mark Pitts* R-Jr. LG: 77-Knijeah Harris So; 56- Christian Williams R-So; 74- Noel Portnjagin F; 60 Chase Stevens* R-Fr. OC: 66- Jake Slaught R-Jr; 71- Roderick Kearney R-Fr; 64-Riley Simonds; 72-Bryan Rosenberg* R-Fr. RG: 70-Damien George R-Jr; 53- Bryce Lovett R-Fr; 59-Hayden Clem* R-Jr; 90-Connor Homa* RFr. RT: 58- Austin Barber R-Jr; 75-Kamryn Waites R-Jr; 63-Caden Jones R-Fr; 55-Mike Williams Fr. This is just a roster depth chart, which is different from a game day depth chart. Someone else mostly put this together. I copied and updated it (Lovett & George to OG), then added a couple missing walkons(*). I’ve previously mentioned how awesome it is to have a 20-man OL for spring. Many previous springs were limited with small OL numbers. Loved SOS’s spring game when he played 9-man football, with 3-OL, in the spring game. We had a lot of OL threads the past few months. This one is for spring updates.
The other OL threads hashed out last year’s issues. This was the best one imo: HOW IS THE OL DEVELOPING? Nick Marcinco’s OL article was useful, too: What to make of Florida’s offensive line room | GatorCountry.com Executive summarry: CBN’s 2022 OL was good (people still want to bellyache about it though- smh) and 2023’s OL was bad. Specifically, the OT’s were very bad a lot of the time in 2023. The OT talent, experiece and depth is much improved from last year. That’s a big start to a better 2024. Barber is limited this spring, which is fine. He doesn’t need the reps. The other OTs will be better off with the reps. The OG’s are intersting. UF had as good a guard combo in 2022 as any team in the NCAA. Last year the OG’s were very average. UF decided to let their average OG combo leave and will go with more talented younger players in 2024. I think this'll workout; we’ll see. The OC’s have been solid for UF for a long time. It looks no different heading into 2024. Slaughter is a top-5 returning OC in all of CFB. Kearny is an excellent RFR prospect as OC2. From all accounts, he had an outstanding S&C offseason.
Those observing practice stated that Waites was repping at first team LT with Barber recovering from surgery while the SDS transfer (drawing a blank on his name) was first team RT with Manuel second team RT.
Yeah, again this is a roster depth chart. A game day depth chart would have the starters and reserves in place. The first two days was a lot of rotating and drill stuff. I think we'll get a real depth chart preview in the 2nd scrimmage. Yes on Waites. Good reports on him from the first two days. Reports say he's 100% healthy, he's in good shape and looks quicker.
Donzo- thanks for your post and I do believe, barring injuries, we can't help but be better on O-line next year. Just curious what info. you have to suggest Slaughter is one of the top centers nationally?
PFF has him that high, but I think that can be subjective. It is very likely some of the young guys will make huge strides by 1st game day. That has always been the norm when we have hand wrung when replacing veterans.
Our starters may be fairly experienced with the transfers. It’s our hs recruits that haven’t played many downs.
I'm thinking more of guys like Harris, Kearney and Lovett who need to make the jump after being in the system for a year even tho they haven't played or played little.
Say what you want, but Kentucky has owned our O-line for the last two seasons. Show me in actual games against stout D-lines and I will say that the past is past. Otherwise...
Coaches have no excuses with this line. Aside from the two transfer tackles, these guys have been in the system for multiple years and / or were recruited by Billy.
I believe the OP probably created this thread for the specific purpose of discussing OL developments as they unfold. In the fullness of time, all will be revealed.
From his bio: "Rated as the No. 14 center in the FBS with a 75.9 PFF grade across 622 total snaps" Guessing 9 of the 14 are done to make him top 5 returning. I don't remember how he did against f$u in the 2nd half, but it seemed like all were JUCo players, very porous.
Good question. On Spring roster but not in the 4 deep? Doubt we brought in a transfer at PON but not good enough for to play over FR.
We've had quite the coming and going. Feels like we're just getting some stability. A far cry from not even being able to hold a scrimmage. Feeling quite good about the O.
