Returning for his final season, Caleb Banks was a first-team conference and third-team All-American selection. He recorded 21 tackles, 7.0 TFLs, 4.5 sacks, six quarterback hurries and two forced fumbles. Against No. 8 Ole Miss last year, he had 3.5 tackles-for-loss (-21 yards), 2.5 sacks, a quarterback hurry and pass breakup en route to earning SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week. The week prior vs. No. 21 LSU, Banks had a TFL (-5) yards, sack, three quarterback hurries, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. 

The reigning Mannelly Award Winner, long snapper Rocco Underwood was placed on first-team for both all-conference and All-American. The nation’s best long  snapper last year, he also earned AFCA Second-Team and Phil Steele First-Team All-American recognition and All-SEC Second Team by the league coaches. He completed his third-straight season handling starting long snapper duties and made three total tackles last year. 

Jake Slaughter earned second-team nods for both preseason watch lists. A team captain last year, he was an AP First-Team All-American, becoming just the third Gators’ center to claim a first-team All-America honor from one of the five current publications for consensus and unanimous distinction. Starting all 13 games in 2024, he collected a slew of awards last season in 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, USA Today All-SEC First-Team. He led the offensive line with 800 snaps played and owned a pass block grade of 83.9 according to PFF. 

The fourth Gator to have a spot on both accolade lists: third-team All-SEC and fourth-team All-American was Eugene Wilson III. The wide receiver started four games before suffering a season-ending injury and earned a redshirt. He caught 19 passes for 286 yards and a touchdown in 2024. In his freshman season (2023), he was a FWAA Freshman All-American and Freshman All-SEC selection. That first season also saw Wilson finish with a team-high six touchdown catches and second on the team in receptions (61), receiving yards (538) and receiving yards per game (53.8).

The second offensive lineman to have All-SEC Second-Team recognition is Austin Barber. He started all 13 games at left tackle and logged 729 total offensive snaps. The redshirt senior was named the SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week for his performance at Mississippi State, where he had a PFF pass block grade of 85.6 to help Florida connect on 26 of 28 passes and recovered a fumble for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. 

Another player announced his return for his final season was Tyreak Sapp, a third-team honoree. He led the Gators with seven sacks and 13 tackles-for-loss for 48 yards while tied for the team lead with two forced fumbles. His 90.4 PFF grade was the highest among all qualified Florida players, the eighth highest among all FBS edge rushers, the fifth highest among SEC edge rushers and the highest of any Florida defender since 2019 (Jonathon Greenard 90.5). In a three-game stretch vs. LSU, Ole Miss and Florida State, he had 8.0 tackles-for-loss (-21 yards), 3.5 sacks, and 16 tackles. 

Kicker Trey Smack rounds of the group, a third-team selection. He made 18 out of 21 field goal attempts (long of 55-yards) and all 44 extra point attempts, staying perfect on PATs in for the second season. He added his third career SEC Special Teams Player of the Week honor for his outing vs. LSU which featured two field goals (long of 55), three extra points and five touchbacks on six attempts.  

Florida’s Phil Steele’s 2025 All-SEC & All-American Honors 

All-American

First Team

Rocco Underwood

Second Team

Jake Slaughter

Third Team

Caleb Banks

Fourth Team

Eugene Wilson III

All-SEC

First Team

Caleb Banks 

Rocco Underwood

Second Team

Austin Barber

Jake Slaughter

Third Team

Tyreak Sapp

Trey Smack

Eugene Wilson III