Florida Football Shakes Up O-Line with Critical Change Ahead of Miami Showdown

Florida Football Shakes Up O-Line with Critical Change Ahead of Miami Showdown. All offseason, there was ongoing discussion about Florida Football’s offensive line being unsettled. After a 2024 spring game that showed improvement compared to 2023, many were left guessing who would make up the line for the opener against Miami.

Now that the season is about to begin, Florida’s first depth chart reveals at least one significant change along the offensive line after fall camp.

Florida Football Just You Waites

Throughout the offseason, we’ve been tracking the likely starting offensive line for the Gators, with Austin Barber, Knijeah Harris, Jake Slaughter, Damieon George Jr., and Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson expected to make up the unit. However, there were ongoing reports suggesting that George Jr. and Crenshaw-Dickson were not guaranteed their spots.

On Florida’s initial depth chart, George Jr. remains the starter at right guard, shifting inside after playing right tackle last season. Interestingly, Kamryn Waites has emerged as the starting right tackle, edging out Crenshaw-Dickson.

This development is noteworthy for a few reasons:

– Florida brought in Crenshaw-Dickson and Devon Manuel through the transfer portal, yet both are listed as backups.
– Waites, a massive right tackle standing 6’8″ and weighing 343 pounds, has limited college game experience.
– Last offseason, Waites suffered an Achilles injury but returned to play in games against Vanderbilt, Georgia, Arkansas, and LSU before starting against Missouri and FSU. In those starts, he struggled, allowing a sack and three pressures in each game.

In comparison, Manuel played 417 snaps last season, allowing eight pressures, four hurries, and four sacks. Crenshaw-Dickson, who played in the Mountain West rather than the SEC, had 664 snaps with ten pressures, six hurries, and three sacks. Manuel’s numbers are notable as he allowed just one more pressure than Waites despite playing twice as many snaps.

If Waites has fully recovered and earned the starting job due to improved performance, that’s a positive sign. However, if Crenshaw-Dickson and Manuel didn’t meet expectations, leading to Waites’ promotion, it raises different concerns.

One thing is certain: with Miami’s strong defensive ends, Waites will be tested immediately on Saturday. If he can protect Graham Mertz and give him time in the pocket, it could be the deciding factor, especially considering Miami’s questionable secondary on paper.