Position Preview: Veteran trio anchors Florida’s interior OL

By admin — In News — August 28, 2026

   ​Florida’s interior offensive line is the most settled part of the unit entering the 2026 season.Knijeah Harris returns as the veteran at left guard after making 25 consecutive starts, while Georgia Tech transfer Harrison Moore is expected to take over for two-time All-American Jake Slaughter at center. Penn State transfer TJ Shanahan Jr. rounds out the projected starting trio at right guard after following offensive line coach Phil Trautwein to Gainesville.The Gators also have some dependable depth behind the starters. Roderick Kearney has emerged as the top reserve at guard after a strong fall camp, while Jason Zandamela provides a natural backup option at center. Daniel Pierre Louis remains a developmental piece, and freshmen G’Nivre Carr and Desmond Green give Florida additional long-term upside.Florida’s starting group has plenty of experience, but replacing Slaughter’s production and leadership in the middle will be one of the biggest challenges. Moore has already drawn praise from coaches and teammates, while Harris and Shanahan give him veteran support on either side.Here’s a closer look at Florida’s interior offensive line heading into the 2026 season.Check out Gators Wire’s other position previews:QuarterbacksRunning BacksWide ReceiversTight EndsOffensive TacklesNote: With the new age-based eligibility system in place, player classifications will no longer include redshirt status. For example, a redshirt sophomore (R-So.) listed on the official roster will be considered a junior (Jr.) — freshman, sophomore, junior, senior, 5th year.Projected Starting Left Guard: No. 77 Knijeah Harris (Sr.)Harris is the most established starter projection on the offensive line. He’s made 25 consecutive starts at left guard over the last two seasons and has 1,511 career offensive snaps. In 2025, he allowed 13 pressures over 375 pass-blocking snaps, improving from 17 pressures over 335 the year before. PFF gave him a 63.4 run-blocking grade last season, down from 72.4 in 2024.He’s proven himself as a productive pass protector and run blocker in separate seasons but has yet to put everything together in the same year. Harris has long been praised for his maturity, and now he’s the veteran starter on the line. Florida will lean on him as an anchor this year.Projected Starting Center: No. 52 Harrison Moore (Jr.)Moore has the biggest shoes to fill on the offensive line, replacing two-time All-American Jake Slaughter at center. He followed Buster Faulkner from Georgia Tech after starting eight games at center last season. He played 427 snaps at center and 254 at left guard over 11 games.Across 405 career pass-blocking snaps, PFF credits him with zero sacks allowed. He gave up 15 pressures over 332 pass-blocking snaps last year and posted a 66.7 run-blocking grade. Faulkner called him “one of the toughest guys I’ve ever had a chance to coach,” and Moore has emerged as the vocal leader of the position group. Both quarterbacks — Tramell Jones Jr. and Aaron Phil  

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