SEC media names 8 Florida Gators to preseason All-Conference teams

USA Today

2 days ago

The SEC media named eight Florida Gators as preseason all-conference players, following the annual voting at the SEC media days.
All-American center Jake Slaughter and third-year starting offensive tackle Austin Barber land on the first team, followed by defensive lineman Caleb Banks on the second team. Edge defender Tyreak Sapp is a third-team selection. The special teams duo of kicker Trey Smack and long snapper Rocco Underwood landed on the second team, and returners Jadan Baugh and Eugene Wilson III tied for the all-purpose special teams spot on the third team.
The media also picked Florida to finish sixth in the conference this season, with two voters projecting the Gators as SEC champions.
First Team O-Line
Jake Slaughter's All-American junior year makes him a natural selection for any preseason accolade list. He's among the best offensive linemen in the game and is likely the best center coming into the season. A repeat performance will land him a first-round contract in the spring, but this is a guy who never considered the draft coming out of a career year. He's all team and the anchor of the offensive line.
Austin Barber started all 13 games last year at left tackle and was the team's best pass blocker, according to Pro Football Focus data. Expectations are high for him coming into his final year. Finishing the season as a first-team all-conference player is more important for him than going into it as one.
Defensive Line Duo
Caleb Banks was a breakout star at the end of last season and he's expected to be one of the SEC's best defensive linemen in the conference this year. He could very well end up a first-rounder if he lives up to expectations, but there are a lot of talented defensive linemen in the SEC.
Tyreak Sapp's return is big for Florida, and he's hoping to take a dramatic step forward and improve his draft stock. He led the team with seven sacks and 13 tackles for loss last season. Another PFF data darling, Sapp is a proven vet that should lead the defense in Gainesville this fall.
Special Teams are Stacked
Ignoring Georgia's sweep of the six first-team spots available, Florida is well-represented among the specialist preseason honors. Trey Smack went 18-of-21 on field goals last year, hitting from as far as 55 yards out, and made all 44 extra points for Florida. He's got NFL potential, and he's being recognized for it coming into his final season.
Rocco Underwood earned an AFCA All-American second team nod last year and has been a staple of the special teams unit all four years of his Florida career. Long snappers are often unsung heroes, but Underwood is getting his due.
Jadan Baugh and Eugene Wilson III aren't typically regarded as special-teams players, but their collective playmaking ability gives Florida two lethal options in the return game. Hopefully, both end up on the offense side of these lists at the end of the year.
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