GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Eight Gators have been named to the preseason All-SEC teams based on a selection by the members of the media covering the SEC Media Days that took place in Atlanta. Jake Slaughter and Austin Barber were both selected to the first team, Caleb Banks, Trey Smack and Rocco Underwood were named to the second team with Tyreak Sapp, Eugene Wilson III and Jadan Baugh picked to the third team.

On top of eight Gators being named to the Preseason All-SEC Teams, in the SEC Preseason Poll Florida was chosen to finish sixth in the in the conference for the 2025 season. The Gators also received two votes to win the SEC Championship, this is the team’s first time receiving votes since 2021.

Jake Slaughter │ Center │ R-Sr. │ Sparr, Fla.

Slaughter returns for a final season with the Gators after a stellar 2024 season in which he earned several accolades. For his performance, Slaughter was named to the AP All-American First Team, AP All-SEC First Team, ESPN All-American Team, PFF All-American First Team, 247Sports/CBS Sports All-American Second Team, CFN All-American Second Team, Phil Steele Fourth Team All-American and USA Today All-SEC First Team. Slaughter started in all 13 games for the Gators last season, lead the offensive line with 800 offensive snaps and led the team in PFF offense, pass block and run block grades. He ranked fifth nationally among centers with an offense grade of 81.1 and was seventh in the country with a run block grade of 79.0. Slaughter was also named to the USA Today preseason All-SEC team

Austin Barber │ Offensive Lineman│ R-Sr. │ Jacksonville, Fla.

Barber also returns for a final season with the Gator after a strong 2024 season. Last season, Barber started all 13 games and was named a Co-SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week honor following the team’s win against Mississippi State, where he recorded his first collegiate touchdown and both a season best and team high PFF pass block grade of 85.6 helping the offense to connect on 26 of 28 passes.

Caleb Banks │ Defensive Lineman │ R-Sr. │ Detroit, Mich.

Entering into his third with the Gators, Banks is looking to continue his strong performance from the 2024 season. Last year Banks earned SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week following the team’s win against Ole Miss in Week 13. After seeing action in 12 games last season, Banks recorded a total of 21 tackles (10 solo), seven of which were tackles-for-loss, 4.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and recovered a fumble. Banks was the second Gator to be named to the USA Today preseason All-SEC team.

Tyreak Sapp │ Defensive Lineman │ R-Sr. │ Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Coming into his fifth season, senior Sapp had a strong performance across the 2024 season. Sapp led the team with seven sacks and 13 tackles-for-loss for a total of 48 yards. He tied with fellow defensive lineman Banks with two forced fumbles, and had the highest PFF grade among the team with 90.4, this I also the highest PFF grade since Jonathan Greenard in 2019 (90.5). His PFF grade ranked eighth highest among all FBS edge rushers and fifth highest among SEC edge rushers.

Trey Smack │ Place Kicker & Kickoff Specialist │ Sr. │ Severna Park, Md.

Entering into his senior season, Smack is coming off a near perfect season. Acting as the primary kicker for all 13 games, Smack made 18 out of 21 field goal attempts, with the longest being 55-yards. He connected on all extra point attempts tallying 44 points for the Gators, making it his second season where he was perfect on PATs. Smack recorded 4,717 yards on 76 kickoffs and was named a SEC Special Teams Play of the Week following his performance against LSU last season.

Rocco Underwood│ Long Snapper │ R-Sr. │ Lake Mary, Fla. 

The reigning Mannelly Award Winner (nation’s long snapper of the year), enters his fourth season as the Gators starting snapper. Last season he made a total of three tackles, including a solo at Mississippi State to hold a punt return to no gain. An AFCA Second-Team All-American selection, Underwood also recovered a fumble on the road at Florida State. 

Eugene Wilson III │ All Purpose │ R-So. │ Tampa, Fla.

Although he was not able to play much last season due to injury, Wilson is looking to pick up right where he left off from his freshman season. In 2024, Wilson started in four games and totaled 266 receiving yards, with one touchdown on 19 receptions. For his freshman season, Wilson saw seven starts in 10 games and finished with a team-high six touchdowns. He finished second on the team in receptions (61), receiving yards (538) and receiving yards per game (53.8). Wilson set the program record for catches made by a freshman in a single game with 11 receptions against No. 1 Georgia, for a total of 75 yards and had a 27-yard touchdown.

Jadan Baugh │ All Purpose │ So. │ Atlanta, Ga.

Baugh enters into his sophomore season with UF, after making a statement during his freshman campaign. Baugh played in all 13 games with four starts and led the team in rushing yards with 673 yards, total touchdowns with eight and tied for team-best in rushing touchdowns with seven. Baugh made program history with DJ Lagway being the only two true freshman quarterback and running back to start in the same game. Baugh rushed for five touchdowns in his first start, tying the program record with Trey Burton (2010) and Tim Tebow (2007), his five touchdowns were also the most made by any Gator in their first-career start. Serving as the primary kick returner, Baugh was one of eight SEC players to have two 30-yard plus kick returns and was only one of 11 freshmen in the FBS to accomplish this feat.