Skip to main content
Florida

Florida Gators OL Fletcher Westphal to undergo hip surgery

IMG_6615by: Blake Alderman7 hours agoBlake_Alderman
Fletcher-Westphal-Florida-Gators
Four-star offensive tackle Fletcher Westphal.

The Florida Gators have dealt with injuries all season, with several of those players needing surgery to repair their injuries. Florida freshman wide receiver Dallas Wilson is set for surgery on Monday to repair a foot injury suffered in the loss to Georgia last weekend. However, he isn’t the only Gator set for surgery this week. Gators Online has learned that redshirt freshman offensive tackle Fletcher Westphal is also set to have surgery later this week.

Fletcher Westphal will have hip surgery later this week

A source tells Gators Online that Florida lineman Fletcher Westphal is set to have hip surgery later this week. Furthermore, Gators Online is hearing that the procedure is expected to take place on Wednesday. The second-year big man hasn’t appeared in any games this season for the Orange and Blue. Before his latest setback, Fletcher Westphal was sidelined with a wrist injury suffered in fall camp. He had surgery earlier in the season to repair the fractured wrist. Despite that, Westphal wasn’t included in any Florida injury reports for their conference games this season.

Westphal earned some early playing time in year one

Fletcher Westphal gained valuable experience in 2024. He got his feet wet in his first year at the college level, appearing in four games as a backup and earning a redshirt. In 29 total snaps, he posted strong marks from Pro Football Focus, including an 80.2 pass-blocking grade, 75.7 offensive grade, and 72.3 run-blocking grade. Westphal saw the highest volume of action in the Gasparilla Bowl against Tulane. In that outing, he logged 17 snaps and earned a 76.8 pass-blocking grade.

Westphal entered the 2025 season as the projected backup at left tackle to current starter Austin Barber. After a freshman season with four appearances under his belt, the Florida Gators staff had high hopes for Westphal, but injuries have derailed him.

“When you come in here as a freshman, there’s so many things that are going on,” Florida offensive line coach Rob Sale said. “You’re trying to figure it out drill to drill, and there’s anxiety. Playing offensive line, we say ‘knowledge is power,’ you know what I mean. It has to be second nature at the line of scrimmage, knowing your role and responsibility. If you’re thinking about your assignment when you’re up there, you really can’t think about the technique and hand placement and the footwork you need. So now, it’s just like a breath of fresh air for (Westphal). Now, he’s just out there playing being natural. He’s really jurally flourishing.”

You may also like