Penn defensive lineman Joey Slackman commits to Florida Gators
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Florida Gators defensive line got better on Sunday. Former University of Pennsylvania defensive lineman Joey Slackman committed to the Gators. Slackman was rated the No. 15 overall prospect in the transfer portal by On3.
He was the Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year.
The talented lineman reported more than two dozen offers after entering the transfer portal on November 20. Those offers included Michigan, Northwestern, Washington, USC, Missouri, TCU, Arizona, Colorado, Washington, Oregon State, Vanderbilt, Miami, Louisville, Georgia Tech, North Carolina, Duke, Virginia Tech, Illinois, Rutgers, Houston, Pittsburgh, BYU and UConn.
Slackman registered 50 tackles, including 12 behind the line of scrimmage and 4 sacks, with 1 pass breakup this season. His 90.1 overall Pro Football Focus (PFF) grade led all FCS defensive tackles, as did his 92.8 run-defense rating. He posted 18 pressures as a pass rusher — tied for 36th among FCS interior defensive linemen. Penn posted a 6-4 overall record and a 3-4 mark in the Ivy League.
Slackman played in 28 games over three seasons for the Quakers. He finished his Ivy League career with 115 tackles, 56 solo, 25 tackles for a loss, 11 sacks, 3 passes defended and two forced fumbles.
He was Florida’s second transfer commitment Sunday.
The Gators picked up offensive tackle Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson, formerly of San Diego State, earlier in the day. (STORY HERE)
How Slackman fits into the Florida Gators
Slackman’s addition was much needed after the Gators lost defensive linemen Chris McClellan and Will Norman to the transfer portal. Slackman will join Cam Jackson, Caleb Banks, Tyreak Sapp, Jamari Lyons, Gavin Hill, and Desmond Watson to make up Florida’s interior defensive line.
Florida finished 11th in the Southeastern Conference in rushing defense, allowing 155.58 rushing yards a game. The Gators also struggled to sack the quarterback, getting home just 22 times (1.83 per game), 12th best in the SEC. Slackman brings a great run-blocking and interior pressure presence to a group that will need his productivity to improve in 2024.
