Billy Napier: Florida C Kingsley Eguakun 'To Be Determined' for Week 1

Billy Napier offered an update on injured Gators center Kingsley Eguakun ahead of Florida's season-opening matchup at Utah.

Photo: Kingsley Eguakun; Credit: Alex Shepherd

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Gators starting center Kingsley Eguakun remains "day-to-day" in recovery from an injury suffered during practice, and his status for Florida's season-opening matchup at Utah on Aug. 31 is "to be determined," head coach Billy Napier said on Friday.  

All Gators first reported Eguakun's injury, to his lower body, which occurred on Aug. 16. 

"Kingsley is to be determined. I think he's day to day," Napier said. "But I do like the progress he's making. He's gotten a little bit, incrementally better as we go here, and certainly, he's a very veteran player too. I think that's part of the equation."

A fifth-year redshirt junior, Eguakun has started at center in 26 consecutive games for Florida dating back to the beginning of the 2021 season and is expected to maintain the role in 2023. Before his elevation to the first team, Eguakun appeared in 14 games as a reserve lineman and on special teams.

Eguakun was named to the Rimington Trophy watch list on Aug. 4, which is awarded annually to the nation's best center.

His 1,747 career offensive snaps are the most of any contributor to Florida's front five, a unit that was reconstructed this offseason following the departures of four starters and four backups from last year's group. 

In Eguakun's absence, redshirt sophomore Jake Slaughter has stepped into Florida's first-team offensive line. The product of local Ocala (Fla.) Trinity Catholic has impressed observers in the practice setting, including Napier. 

"Jake Slaughter is a player that I have the utmost confidence in. He's been outstanding in his role, Napier said.

"It's really important to Jake. He wants to do his job for his teammates, he cares about the University of Florida. It's kind of in his DNA to some degree, being local. So he's done fantastic."

Napier also mentioned projected starting left guard Richie Leonard IV as a candidate to play center, and made note of the development of freshmen Knijeah Harris and Roderick Kearney at the position.

The Gators will take on the Utes at 8 p.m. ET/6 p.m. MT on Aug. 31, in Salt Lake City, Utah. 

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