More preseason recognition for Gators center Jake Slaughter
The preseason honors started coming for Jake Slaughter earlier this summer and they haven’t stopped. Tuesday, the standout Florida Gators center was recognized again, this time from the Lombardi Award, which named him to its 2025 watch list.
Per a UF release, the award is “named after NFL head coach Vince Lombardi, is presented to the college football lineman who demonstrates exceptional performance on the field and embodies the character Vince Lombardi emulated throughout his life. After Lombardi’s sudden death due to cancer, the award was created in 1970 to help celebrate the values that he held and to help act as a way to raise money for the advancement of cancer research programs.”
The winner of the award will be announced Dec. 9.
It has been a heck of a summer for Slaughter, a returning consensus All-American.
Monday, he earned preseason first-team All-America honors from ESPN. Slaughter was 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.”
Here is some of the other preseason recognition Jake Slaughter has received
—Last week, Slaughter was named to the Rimington Trophy watch list for 2025, along with 39 other players. That award goes to college football’s most outstanding center.
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—He was named to the East-West Shrine Bowl 1000, a list of college players who are considered top prospects for the East-West Shrine Bowl all-star game and the NFL Draft.
—Slaughter made the watch list for the Outland Trophy, which is awarded to the nation’s most outstanding interior lineman as selected by the Football Writers Association of America.
—Pro Football Focus has named the top offensive and defensive players in every conference. And it gave Slaughter the nod in the SEC, a league loaded with big names. Slaughter was chosen over players such as Alabama receiver Ryan Williams, South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers, Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor and Texas QB Arch Manning.
—Reporters at SEC Media Days named him first-team preseason All-SEC.
