Four Florida Gators are set to take the field in Saturday’s 2026 Panini Senior Bowl, a showcase that often serves as a springboard to the NFL. Offensive tackle Austin Barber, center Jake Slaughter, edge rusher Tyreak Sapp, and defensive tackle Caleb Banks will all be suiting up in Mobile, Alabama, looking to boost their draft stock in front of scouts, coaches, and executives from across the league.
The game kicks off at 2:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on NFL Network from Hancock Whitney Stadium at the University of South Alabama. This marks just the eighth time in program history that four or more Gators have earned Senior Bowl invites in the same year - a testament to the depth of talent Florida is sending to the next level.
Caleb Banks: Making His Presence Felt
Let’s start with the headliner: Caleb Banks. The 6-foot-5, 330-pound defensive tackle entered the week already drawing buzz as a potential late first-round pick, and he’s done nothing but reinforce that reputation during practices. Simply put, Banks has looked the part.
After a foot injury limited his snaps this past season, Banks came into the Senior Bowl with something to prove. And on Day 2 of practice, he did just that.
During pass-rush drills, he was a force - overpowering offensive linemen, collapsing pockets, and flashing the kind of raw strength and leverage that makes NFL scouts take notice. There were moments where linemen were practically hanging on for dear life trying to slow him down.
Banks’ college résumé is solid: 48 total tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and 59 quarterback pressures across five seasons split between Florida and Louisville. But it’s his blend of size, power, and quickness that’s turning heads in Mobile. If he keeps this up, don’t be surprised if his name is called earlier than expected on draft night.
Tyreak Sapp: A Disruptor Off the Edge
Lining up next to Banks for much of his Florida career was Tyreak Sapp, and he’s another Gator looking to make a statement this week. Sapp wrapped up his college career with 125 tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss, and 10 sacks. He also forced four fumbles and racked up 72 quarterback pressures - numbers that speak to his consistent disruption off the edge.
Sapp’s game is built on explosiveness and effort. He’s the kind of player who doesn’t take plays off, and while he may not be as flashy as some of the top-tier edge prospects in this class, he’s got the motor and production that teams covet on Day 2 or 3 of the draft.
Austin Barber: Steady on the Blind Side
On the offensive side of the ball, Austin Barber has been a mainstay at left tackle for the Gators, starting 34 games since the beginning of the 2023 season. His consistency and durability earned him Third-Team All-SEC honors in 2025, and he finished the year with a team-best 90 run-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus.
Barber isn’t just a mauler in the run game - he’s also shown solid footwork and technique in pass protection. While he may not be the most talked-about lineman in this year’s Senior Bowl, he’s the kind of dependable tackle who can quietly climb draft boards with a strong week in Mobile.
Jake Slaughter: Anchoring the Interior
Then there’s Jake Slaughter, the Gators’ rock in the middle of the offensive line. He’s been Florida’s starting center for the past three seasons, earning First-Team All-American honors from the Associated Press in 2024 and First-Team All-SEC recognition in 2025. He was also a Rimington Trophy finalist this past season - an award given to the nation’s top center.
Slaughter brings leadership, intelligence, and toughness to the position. Centers don’t always get the spotlight, but NFL teams know how crucial they are to an offense’s rhythm and protection schemes. Slaughter’s experience and accolades make him one of the more intriguing interior linemen to watch this week.
Florida’s Pipeline to the Pros
Florida’s presence in the Senior Bowl continues a strong tradition of sending talent to the NFL. Just last year, four former Gators - wide receiver Chimere Dike, defensive tackle Cam Jackson, linebacker Shemar James, and punter Jeremy Crawshaw - were drafted after participating in the Senior Bowl. And they were part of a larger trend: 106 Senior Bowl alumni were selected in the 2025 NFL Draft, making up 40 percent of all picks.
The impact doesn’t stop there. At the start of the NFL season, 561 former Senior Bowl players were on active 53-man rosters, accounting for one-third of the league.
Even more impressive? Twenty-three of them earned spots on the NFL’s annual Top 100 list.
For Barber, Slaughter, Sapp, and Banks, the opportunity is clear. This week in Mobile isn’t just another game - it’s a job interview on a national stage. And if their performances so far are any indication, the Gators are making a strong case that they’re ready for the next level.