Florida’s Jake Slaughter Added to Another Watch List

Florida senior center Jake Slaughter added another watch list to his resume.For the ninth year, the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award announced its 2025 watch list of 67 college football players. For the third time this season, the offensive lineman has made his way on a list.

The award is presented to an individual who demonstrates leadership, courage, integrity and sportsmanship both on and off the field. Slaughter has shown the Gators what it means to live up to those accolades.

In the past five seasons, Slaughter has held the center position for the Gators. He started all 13 games at center last season and led the offensive line with 800 offensive snaps. He has the seventh-highest run block grade nationally and the fifth-highest offensive grade among centers with 81.1, according to Pro Football Focus. The average PFF pass block grade is 60.

Slaughter has received accolades for being the team captain for the 2024 season, Associated Press All-SEC First Team and ESPN All-American Team.

This season, he has started in every game and has an overall pass-block grade of 84.1. Slaughter has also been added to the watch lists for the Lombardi, Rimington and Outland Trophy awards.

Outside the field, Slaughter excels in the classroom, which could help his chances. The award is the first to focus on a player’s leadership rather than their athletic ability. In Spring 2025, he earned his bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Education and Communication. Before that, he’s been on the SEC honor roll since 2021.

Slaughter also gets involved with the community by doing volunteer work. In the past, he has worked with Alachua Habitat for Humanity, which takes pride in improving homes for families in need. He was once honored with “Very Important Builder.”

The Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award will be presented at a ceremony in Frisco, Texas, on April 16, 2026.

Category: College Football, Football, Gainesville, Gators Football, SEC