Jake Slaughter

NFL Draft Profile: Jake Slaughter

Position: Interior Offensive Line (C/OG) | School: Florida | Class: Redshirt Senior

Height: 6'5" | Weight: 305 lbs | Archetype: Balanced (Technician / Zone Specialist)

College Career Summary

Jake Slaughter leaves Gainesville as one of the most decorated centers in Florida Gators history. After redshirting in 2021 and primarily serving on special teams in 2022, Slaughter exploded onto the scene in 2023 when he took over the starting center role mid-season. By 2024, he was an AP First-Team All-American, a feat that earned him a commemorative brick outside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium—joining the likes of Maurkice Pouncey.

His 2025 season solidified his draft stock as a top-tier interior prospect. Serving as a team captain and the undisputed "brain" of the offensive line, Slaughter allowed just one sack across 748 snaps. He was named a Rimington Trophy finalist and earned Second-Team All-American honors from multiple outlets. Known for his elite pass-blocking efficiency (87.1 PFF grade) and high-level football IQ, Slaughter is widely viewed as the primary reason for Florida’s offensive line stability over the last two seasons.

Career Stats & Highlights

• Career Starts: 33 (Total games played: 51)

• 2025 Sacks Allowed: 1 (422 pass-blocking snaps)

• 2025 Pressures Allowed: 4 (1 sack, 1 hit, 2 hurries)

• Pancakes: ~54 (2025 Season)

• Holding Penalties: 1 (2025)

• Honors: 2024 First-Team All-American (AP); 2025 Second-Team All-American; 2025 All-SEC First Team; 2025 Rimington Trophy Finalist.

2025 Game-by-Game Grades

Week	Opponent	Grade	Scout's Notes
1	@ Miami (FL)	B+	High-level communication; neutralized heavy interior pressure.
2	vs Samford	A	Clinical displacement in the run game; multiple pancake blocks.
3	vs Texas A&M	A-	Handled elite SEC interior twitch; zero pressures allowed.
4	@ Mississippi State	A	The Apex. Perfect execution in zone schemes; led a 200+ yard rushing day.
6	vs UCF	B+	Masterful at picking up second-level stunts and delayed blitzes.
7	@ Tennessee	B	Solid in a hostile environment; handled the noise/snap count perfectly.
8	vs Kentucky	B-	Worst Game. Allowed 2 hurries; struggled slightly with pad level against power.
9	vs Georgia	A-	Stood tall against the nation's best interior; elite anchor strength.
11	@ Texas	B+	Paved lanes for Jadan Baugh; elite technical hand placement.
12	vs LSU	B+	Zero sacks allowed; clinical reach blocks on outside zone runs.
13	@ Ole Miss	B	Gritty performance; reliable as a puller in open space.
14	vs Florida State	A-	Capped the regular season with a dominant "mauler" performance.

Scouting Grade Rubric

Intangibles (.20) — Grade: 97/100

• Leadership: Elite. Team captain and the vocal leader of the "O-Line comeback."

• Mental Toughness: High; handled the pressure of replacing a veteran starter in 2023 with ease.

• Competitor: Plus; plays with a "play-to-the-whistle" mentality.

• Team Player: Credits his guards; known for his high football character.

• Star: High; PFF's #1 returning SEC offensive player for 2025 for a reason.

Physical Tools (.20) — Grade: 86/100

• Height/Weight: 6'5", 305 lbs. (Exceeds height, Borderline weight).

• Stamina: High; rare agility for a center that remains consistent into the 4th quarter.

• Durability: Elite. Has been a fixture in the lineup for three consecutive seasons.

• Injury History: Medically clean; robust health record in the SEC.

Attributes (.20) — Grade: 94/100

• Run Block: Plus; ranked 5th in the nation in Zone Run Blocking (80.3 grade).

• Pass Block: Strength. Statistical outlier with only 1 sack allowed in his final season.

• Strength: Plus; "country strong" with an anchor that absorbs heavy bull-rushes.

• Technique: Elite. Master of hand-fighting and leverage.

• High Motor: Consistent; always looks for work and finishing blocks downfield.

Athleticism (.20) — Grade: 82/100

• Speed: Moderate; adequate climber, but lacks "burner" speed in open space.

• Agility: Plus; short-area quickness allows him to mirror twitchy sub-package rushers.

• Flexibility: High; natural knee-bender with a background in coordinating massive weight.

• Acceleration: Good; explosive enough to reach his spot in zone slide schemes.

• Footwork: Clinical; quick, efficient steps that prevent him from getting "turned."

IQ (.20) — Grade: 98/100

• Awareness: Elite. The primary reason he allowed so few sacks; diagnostic skills are pro-level.

Scouting Report

• Strengths: Elite technical floor with All-American production; arguably the best pass-protecting center in the class (87.1 PFF grade); high-IQ diagnostic skills at the line of scrimmage; massive 51-game experience base in the SEC; position versatility to kick out to Guard.

• Weaknesses: Functional Bulk. While 6'5", he can appear lean and may need to add 5–10 lbs of mass to handle 350-lb NFL nose tackles; occasionally plays with a high pad level in the run game; lacks elite "freak" vertical speed.

• Scheme Fit: Ideal for a Zone-Run or West Coast system that prizes movement and IQ (e.g., Rams, 49ers, Dolphins).

• NFL Comparison: Frank Ragnow / Mitch Morse.

Scout's Final Word

"Jake Slaughter is a 'safety blanket' prospect. He isn't the most physically imposing interior lineman, but he is technically flawless and carries the highest football IQ of any center in this draft. Allowing only one sack in the SEC is a monumental achievement. He is a plug-and-play starter who will lead a line for a decade. Draft Projection: 2nd Round."