The fifth in a position-by-position look at the 2026 Gators leading up to fall camp:
TODAY: OFFENSIVE LINE
What to expect
The coaches, faces and attitude up front were overhauled during the offseason after the offensive line fell shy of lofty expectations in 2025. Gone to the NFL are All-American center Jake Slaughter and All-SEC tackle Austin Barber, along with three-year starter Damieon George.
Even so, the Gators are counting on new O-line coach Phil Trautwein to improve Florida’s physicality, discipline and development in the trenches.
The left tackle for Florida’s 2006 and 2008 national champions, Trautwein inherited two-year starting guard Knijeah Harris and experienced veterans Caden Jones and Bryce Lovett. Coaches expect redshirt junior Roderick Kearney, a former top-150 recruit, to finally emerge, while Jason Zandamela, a former USC transfer, is vying with Georgia Tech transfer Harrison Moore to start at center.
Moore, though, is among a handful of transfers critical to Florida’s fortunes on offense a season after the Gators were 12th in the SEC in rushing.
The 6-foot-4, 300-pound Moore, a junior, did not allow a sack on 866 snaps during two seasons and 21 appearances, including 10 starts (nine in 2025), but is locked in a battle to replace Slaughter.
Guard TJ Shanahan and tackle Eagan Boyer followed Trautwein from Penn State, where he coached six seasons prior to Jame Franklin’s ouster.
The 6-foot-4, 313-pound Shanahan drew praise in the spring as one of the few players to consistently display the level of physicality coach Jon Sumrall demands. The cousin of former Gator Jon Halapio has 10 college starts, including five at Penn State in 2025 and five at Texas A&M in 2024.
Florida two-year starting guard Knijeah Harris (right) hopes to celebrate more scoring with the Gators in 2026. Shown here hoisting receiver Aidan Mizell in the air after his touchdown Nov. 2, 2024 against Georgia in Jacksonville. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
The 6-foot-8, 300-pound Boyer has little starting experience, with just one against Clemson in the 2025 Pinstripe Bowl. But he was prominent this past spring in the Gators’ tackle rotation, as was promising Stanford transfer Emeka Ugorji.
The 6-foot-4, 311-pound Ugorji stepped in as a true freshman to appear in 10 games, including eight starts — seven of them at right guard. He led the ACC in offensive guard snaps with 523 while committing just two penalties. But the Gators are confident he can thrive at tackle, where answers are unclear.
The 6-foot-8, 348-pound Jones emerged on the right side as 2025 unfolded, and Lovett struggled to stay on the field. But the 6-foot-5, 314-pound Lovett is likely better suited at right guard.
The 6-foot-3, 317-pound Harris has started 25 straight games on the left side. The 6-foot-4, 310-pound Kearney also should factor inside.
Meanwhile, redshirt freshmen TJ Dice (6-3, 292), Jahari Medlock (6-5, 309) and Fletcher Westphal (6-8, 331) were 4-star prospects in the 2025 class pushing to factor during their first college action in 2026.
Returners
TJ Dice Jr, redshirt freshman
Mark Faircloth, redshirt sophomore
Knijeah Harris, senior
Caden Jones, redshirt junior
Roderick Kearney, redshirt junior
Bryce Lovett, redshirt junior
Jahari Medlock, redshirt freshman
Daniel Pierre Louis, redshirt freshman
Fletcher Westphal, redshirt freshman
Jason Zandamela, redshirt sophomore
Florida offensive lineman Bryce Lovett trains during the Gators’ rigorous offseason program implemented by new strength and conditioning coach Rusty Whitt. (Courtesy UF’s University Athletics Association).
Departures
Devon Manuel (transfer App State)
Marcus Mascoll (transfer Georgia State)
Noel Portnjagin (transfer James Madison)
Enoch Wangoy (transfer Ole Miss)
Arrivals
Eagan Boyer (redshirt sophomore; transfer Penn State)
Corey Brown (freshman; Orlando Jones)
Chancellor Campbell (freshman; St. Petersburg Lakewood)
G’Nivre Carr (freshman; IMG Academy)
Tyler Chukuyem (freshman; Douglas, Georgia)
Desmond Green (freshman; Alvin, S.C.)
Javarii Luckas (freshman; Glades Central)
Harrison Moore (junior; transfer Georgia Tech)
TJ Shanahan Jr. (redshirt junior; transfer Penn State)
Emeka Ugorji (sophomore; transfer Stanford)
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Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com