The start of the 2025 college football campaign is right around the corner, and ahead of the opening kickoff, ESPN released its preseason All-America team, which featured a member of the Florida Gators.
Center Jake Slaughter, a redshirt senior out of Sparr, Florida, made the list for the second-straight year, joining four others who were featured on last year’s list. He is the only member of the Orange and Blue to earn the honor.
“When Slaughter announced that he was returning for his senior season, it was huge news for the Gators’ offensive line and a huge boost for coach Billy Napier,” college football reporter Chris Low begins. “The 6-4, 303-pound Slaughter makes life easier for quarterback DJ Lagway and is a steadying force for the offense. Slaughter played 800 snaps last season, and his experience, versatility and toughness will serve the Gators well in 2025.”
Jake Slaughter’s 2024 stats
Slaughter started all 13 games in 2024, amassing a mountain of awards, including the AP All-SEC First-Team, ESPN All-American, PFF All-American First-Team, 247Sports/CBS All-American Second-Team, CFN All-American Second-Team, Phil Steel All-American Fourth-Team and USA TODAY Sports All-SEC First-Team.
He was ranked fifth nationally among centers last year with an offense grade of 81.1, while ranking seventh in the country with a run block grade of 79.0. He also led the team in PFF offense, pass-block and run-block grades, as well as the offensive line as a whole in 800 snaps played.
ESPN’s 2025 preseason college football All-America team
Offense
QB: Cade Klubnik, ClemsonRB: Jeremiyah Love, Notre DameRB: Nicholas Singleton, Penn StateWR: Jeremiah Smith, Ohio StateWR: Ryan Williams, AlabamaTE: Eli Stowers, VanderbiltOT: Spencer Fano, UtahOG: Olaivavega Ioane, Penn StateC Jake Slaughter, FloridaOG: Ar’Maj Reed-Adams, Texas A&MOT: Kadyn Proctor, AlabamaAll-purpose: Desmond Reid, Pittsburgh
Defense
DE: Dylan Stewart, South CarolinaDT: Peter Woods, ClemsonDT: LT Overton, AlabamaDE: T.J. Parker, ClemsonLB: Anthony Hill Jr., TexasLB: Kyle Louis, PittsburghLB: Gabe Jacas, IllinoisCB: Leonard Moore, Notre DameCB: Jermod McCoy, TennesseeS: Caleb Downs, Ohio StateS: Michael Taaffe, Texas
Special Teams
PK: Dominic Zvada, MichiganP: Brett Thorson, GeorgiaReturner: Barion Brown, LSU
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