Jake Slaughter named First-Team Preseason All-American by ESPN

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida starting center Jake Slaughter has earned preseason first-team All-America honors from a third publication. ESPN is the latest to recognize Slaughter, who was also named to a preseason first-team All-American by SEC Media and Sporting News.

Slaughter received several accolades after the 2024 season and was rewarded with a brick out outside of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium after collecting consensus All-American First Team honors. His overall PFF grade was 82.0, which led the team and was the highest among SEC centers.

Slaughter is one of five players from ESPN’s 2024 postseason team to make the cut on its preseason All-American team. Here’s what ESPN had to say about his return:

“When Slaughter announced that he was returning for his senior season, it was huge news for the Gators’ offensive line and a huge boost for coach Billy Napier. The 6-4, 303-pound Slaughter makes life easier for quarterback DJ Lagway and is a steadying force for the offense. Slaughter played 800 snaps last season, and his experience, versatility and toughness will serve the Gators well in 2025.”

Billy Napier on Jake Slaughter

Napier reflected on Slaughter’s career Monday when asked about his evolution as a player.

“Jake’s got a great story. He’s a product of his environment. His family, where he’s from, his passion for this place. I think he’s very driven to contribute to the team, to be at his best for his teammates. Very underappreciated coming out in high school. 
And then really, I think, early in his career, not much expected from him. I think he probably doubted himself. Just having conversations with him. And he had been here six months, I think, when we got here, and then his development process started. I can remember the valuation workout we did with the team during bowl practice immediately upon arrival, and I wrote down that I felt like the guy had tools to be a really good player. He’s big, he’s long, he’s got power, and I think he can move.

“So, I think he had the traits to do it, I just think he needed to develop some confidence, and he just needed repetition, right? So, I think he’s a testament to our coaching staff, too, in terms of the development process. I think our track record to developing offensive linemen is, you know, pretty well documented. And, Jake’s the next one. I think he has earned every single thing that he has got, and he is an absolute top leader on our team and sets the tone and the pace every day. So I love Jake because he makes everybody around him better. And I think that says the number one most of the admirable trait, in my opinion, is his ability to elevate the others around him and how they play and how they live life.”