The Florida Gators will be well-represented at the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl, with four key contributors from last season set to showcase their skills in front of NFL scouts on Saturday in Mobile, Alabama (2:30 p.m. ET, NFL Network). Defensive tackle Caleb Banks, center Jake Slaughter, left tackle Austin Barber, and defensive end Tyreak Sapp all earned invites to college football’s premier all-star game - a critical stop on the road to the NFL Draft.
Let’s break down what each player brings to the table and why their presence in Mobile is turning heads.
Caleb Banks: A Disruptive Force Looking to Rebound
At 6-foot-6 and 330 pounds, Caleb Banks is one of those interior defensive linemen who can change the tone of a game with a single bull rush - and that’s exactly what he’s been flashing during Senior Bowl practices this week. Despite an injury-shortened 2025 season where he appeared in just three games due to a broken foot, Banks still managed to make an impact, notching six tackles, a tackle for loss, and a fumble recovery.
His 2024 campaign was where he really burst onto the scene, tallying 7 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. That kind of production from the interior is what NFL teams crave, and Banks’ performance in Mobile could help solidify his stock as a Day 2 draft pick.
Jake Slaughter: The Anchor in the Middle
Jake Slaughter has been the rock in the middle of Florida’s offensive line for years, and the accolades back it up. The 6-foot-5, 303-pound center is a two-time All-American, earning first-team honors in 2024 and second-team in 2025. He started 33 games over five seasons, bringing consistency, intelligence, and leadership to the Gators’ front.
His 2025 season was particularly impressive: in 748 snaps, he allowed just one sack, one QB hit, and two hurries. According to Pro Football Focus, he graded out with an 87.1 pass-blocking mark - the highest on the team - and an 82.2 run-blocking grade. Those kinds of metrics, paired with his Rimington Trophy finalist nod, make Slaughter one of the top center prospects in the draft class.
Austin Barber: A Steady Protector with Run-Game Power
Austin Barber has been a fixture on Florida’s offensive line, logging 38 starts over the past four seasons at both left and right tackle. The 6-foot-6, 314-pound lineman earned third-team All-SEC honors in 2025, and his run-blocking prowess stood out - his 90.0 run-block grade was the highest on the team, per PFF.
Barber’s versatility and experience make him an intriguing prospect for NFL teams looking for depth or a potential starter at tackle. His ability to hold up on both sides of the line - and his performance against top-tier SEC pass rushers - will be a big part of his evaluation.
Tyreak Sapp: Production, Pressure, and Motor
Few players bring the kind of energy and consistency Tyreak Sapp delivered throughout his Gators career. The 6-foot-3, 274-pound defensive end racked up 124 tackles, 10 sacks, 21.5 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles, and 72 quarterback pressures over 1,426 snaps.
Sapp’s combination of strength, quickness, and relentless effort makes him a player who could carve out a role at the next level - especially in a rotational pass-rush capacity. His full résumé of production speaks to a player who knows how to get into the backfield and make things happen.
Trey Smack Delivers at the Shrine Bowl
While the Senior Bowl is drawing the spotlight, former Gators kicker Trey Smack made some noise of his own at the 101st East-West Shrine Game in Frisco, Texas. Smack drilled field goals from 24, 57, and 40 yards - showing off both his accuracy and leg strength in front of NFL evaluators.
In 2025, Smack hit 18 of 22 field goals, including 5 of 6 from 50-plus yards. He leaves Florida with a school-record 10 field goals of 50 yards or longer - a testament to his range and consistency. That kind of leg is going to get attention from special teams coaches across the league.
Punter Tommy Doman also suited up at the Shrine Game, averaging 47.5 yards on two punts. A transfer from Michigan, Doman averaged 44.0 yards on 50 punts this past season, with 17 of them landing inside the 20. That kind of placement and hang time could earn him a shot at the next level.
Wide receiver J. Michael Sturdivant also played in the game, though he didn’t record a catch. The UCLA transfer posted 27 receptions for 406 yards and three touchdowns in his lone season at Florida.
Slaughter’s All-American Campaign
Jake Slaughter’s 2025 season didn’t just earn him a Senior Bowl invite - it capped off a decorated college career. He was named a second-team AP All-American, adding to his first-team honor from 2024. He also earned All-American nods from USA Today, Sporting News, and the FWAA, and was one of three finalists for the Rimington Trophy.
Slaughter’s durability and dominance in the trenches were on full display all season. He started all 12 games, and his PFF offensive grade of 78.9 was among the best in the SEC.
He graded above 70 as a pass blocker in 11 of 12 games - a model of consistency. His 81.1 offensive grade in 2024 was the highest among all Gators offensive players.
Freshman All-SEC Honors for Brown and Woods
Florida’s future looks bright, too. Wide receiver Vernell Brown III and edge rusher Jayden Woods both earned spots on the SEC’s All-Freshman team for 2025.
Brown, a 5-foot-11, 178-pound playmaker, led the team in receptions (40) and receiving yards (512) while also becoming one of the SEC’s top punt returners, averaging 11.7 yards per return with a long of 40. His quickness and field vision made him a threat every time he touched the ball.
On the defensive side, Woods made his presence felt in all 12 games, tallying 28 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 5 tackles for loss, an interception, and a fumble recovery. At 6-foot-3 and 248 pounds, he showed the kind of versatility and explosiveness that could make him a cornerstone on Florida’s defense in the coming years.
With their selections, Florida continues to lead the SEC in Freshman All-SEC honors, with 115 all-time and 14 since 2022.
Five Gators Earn Coaches All-SEC Recognition
The postseason honors didn’t stop there. Five Florida players were named to the Coaches All-SEC team, with Jake Slaughter earning first-team recognition. Running back Jadan Baugh, left tackle Austin Barber, kicker Trey Smack (as a kickoff specialist), and long snapper Rocco Underwood were also honored.
Baugh was a breakout star in 2025, rushing for 1,170 yards and scoring 10 total touchdowns. His 266-yard performance against Florida State was the second-highest single-game rushing total in school history, behind only Emmitt Smith’s legendary 316-yard game in 1989.
Barber, as mentioned, started all 12 games and posted an 82.2 run-blocking grade. Smack’s leg strength made him a weapon on kickoffs, and Underwood’s consistency at long snapper helped anchor Florida’s special teams unit.
Bottom Line: Between the Senior Bowl, Shrine Game, and a haul of postseason honors, Florida’s 2025 roster is leaving a strong impression at the next level. Veterans like Slaughter, Banks, Barber, and Sapp are taking their final collegiate bows, while underclassmen like Brown and Woods are already stepping into the spotlight. The Gators may be reloading, but their pipeline to the NFL is as strong as ever.