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Florida center Jake Slaughter accepts Panini Senior Bowl invite

IMG_6615by: Blake Alderman13 hours agoBlake_Alderman

It’s been an eventful Monday for Florida Gators center Jake Slaughter. The redshirt senior lineman out of Ocala (Fla.) started the day by being named as a finalist for the Rimington Trophy, which is an award given each year to the best center in college football. However, the action didn’t stop for Slaughter. It was also announced that he accepted his invitation to the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl. The game takes place on Jan. 31 in Mobile (Ala.) and is tabbed as the premier college football all-star game and the official first step in the NFL Draft process.

Jake Slaughter has been UF’s anchor up front

Florida offensive lineman Jake Slaughter has served as the Gators’ starting center for the last three seasons. After redshirting in the 2021 season, and played predominantly on special teams in the 2022 season. However, his usage spiked in the following years. Slaughter earned 8 starts for UF in the 2023 season. He’s also appeared in every game since 2022.

This past season, Slaughter logged 748 snaps. In the 2025 season, he allowed just one sack, as well as 1 quarterback hit and two hurries. He earned a PFF Offense grade of 78.9, a Run Block grade of 82.2, and saw a 70.0 or higher Pass Block grade in 11 of the Gators’ games this season to add to his team-high 87.1 Pass Block grade for the season.

Among centers, Slaughter ranks eighth in the country for his PFF Run Block, Pass Block, and Offense grades, and is fifth in the country for his Zone Run Block grade of 80.3. After a successful 2024 campaign, Jake Slaughter was named a First Team All-American, the first since O’Cyrus Torrence in 2022.

Ahead of the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl, Slaughter will look to shine among his peers to help improve his draft stock.

Other Florida Gators in the Panini Senior Bowl

Florida center Jake Slaughter isn’t the only UF player expected to take part in the 2026 Senior Bowl. Gators Online highlights the other Gators who have accepted their invitation.

– Florida defensive lineman Caleb Banks – During his redshirt junior season, Banks came on strong in the final games. In the 2024 season, Banks noticed 21 tackles (7 TFL), 4.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and a recovered fumble. Those numbers came in 10 starts for UF. In the 2023 season, Banks recorded 19 tackles (1.5 TFL) and 1 sack. There were high hopes in his final season at Florida in 2025, but he appeared in just 3 after missing time with a broken foot. He ended that season with 6 tackles (1 TFL) and 1 recovered fumble after playing in 3 games.

– Florida offensive tackle Austin Barber –  Started all 12 games at left tackle for the Gators. Barber logged a total of 750 offensive snaps and recorded a PFF run block grade of 82.2. Ended his UF career with 38 starts and played both left and right tackle.

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