Envisioning Roles for Florida's 2024 Transfers: OL Devon Manuel

How might transfer offensive lineman Devon Manuel make an impact for the Florida Gators in 2024, and perhaps beyond?

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida leaned into the winter transfer portal to upgrade its roster for the second offseason in a row, securing a dozen college football veterans to bolster the Gators' roster entering the 2024 offseason.

All Gators is projecting roles for each transfer acquisition. Rounding out Florida's additions on the offensive side of the ball, former Arkansas offensive lineman Devon Manuel will be our next prospect of focus.

A consensus three-star prospect from the class of 2021, Manuel was recruited to Louisiana by now-Florida head coach Billy Napier and his staff out of Arnaudville (La.) Beau Chene. 

Interest in his services from Southeastern Conference squads prevailed, however, as Manuel signed with Arkansas over Texas A&M, with Power 5 programs such as Michigan State, Iowa State and Indiana also in the running for his commitment.

After redshirting his freshman season, the 6-foot-9, 310-pound Manuel made his college debut with the Razorbacks in 2022, taking the field for nine snaps at left tackle in Arkansas' 41-27 victory over Auburn. It marked his only appearance of the season, yet, it placed Manuel on an upward trajectory toward an increased role in 2023.

Manuel entered his redshirt sophomore year as Arkansas' projected starting left tackle but missed a portion of preseason practices with an injury, leading Andrew Chamblee to occupy the role with Manuel playing in a significant rotation. He averaged 36 snaps per game over his first three appearances of the campaign, despite his backup status.

Manuel took over the first-team role in Week 5 against Texas A&M but aggravated his hurt, forcing him back into a rotational capacity upon his Week 8 return to play. He then logged 47 snaps against Florida in Week 10, before his re-insertion in the starting lineup from Week 11 through the season's conclusion. 

In total, Manuel started four games, appeared in nine, and tallied 417 offensive snaps in 2023. He allowed four sacks and eight quarterback pressures over 195 pass-blocking reps, per Pro Football Focus, and earned an above-average run-blocking grade of 69.9 out of 100 on the year. 

Although he ended the season as a starter, Manuel sought greener pastures to utilize his remaining two years of college eligibility. He entered the NCAA transfer portal on the day of its winter window opening, Dec. 4, 2023, and committed to Florida roughly one month later, on Jan. 5.

Manuel is one of two offensive tackle transfers Florida has welcomed to its offensive line this offseason, joined by Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson, formerly of San Diego State. Both should receive the opportunity to compete for a position on the Gators' offensive line in 2024 following the unit's regression in performance from 2022 to 2023.

Where each player might line up remains to be determined, however. 

As All Gators identified in its profile on Crenshaw-Dickson, the super senior has logged over 1,000 snaps at both left and right tackle in his college career, offering Florida the flexibility to align him at the spot of the coaching staff's choosing, likely based on the rest of the line's makeup.

Manuel, meanwhile, exclusively lined up at left tackle during his time with Arkansas. That isn't to say he is not capable of playing right tackle or another position on the line, although there would be a learning curve to maneuver around if Manuel were to move elsewhere.

Not to be forgotten, incumbent starting tackles Austin Barber and Damieon George Jr. return to the unit in 2024, although George has indicated via social media that he has moved to guard this offseason. 

Barber, a 2022 Freshman All-American, graded out as an above-average run blocker (68.6) and pass protector (70.7) in 2023, per PFF, and his familiarity with the Gators' system could offer him a leg up on his competition to start at either left or right tackle. Like Crenshaw-Dickson, Barber has meaningful experience on both sides of the formation.

Additionally, redshirt junior Kamryn Waites, and redshirt freshmen, Caden Jones and Bryce Lovett, look to expand their roles moving forward, while incoming freshmen Fletcher Westphal and Mike Williams develop at the tackle position.

In the event Florida opts for experience at tackle in 2024, Barber and Crenshaw-Dickson would be the projected starters with Manuel and Waites offering valuable depth, provided their previous playing time. 

Considering Napier and offensive line coaches Rob Sale and Darnell Stapleton's history of utilizing more than five blockers throughout the season, in order to keep the unit fresh, Manuel should be expected to take the field with Florida's offensive line in 2024 even if he begins the year as a backup.

With Crenshaw-Dickson's limited remaining eligibility in mind, a year spent in the swing tackle role could set Manuel up to start for the Gators in 2025, if he doesn't win a first-team gig this season. 

Find All Gators' previous transfer role projections, for defensive back Trikweze Bridges, defensive lineman Joey Slackman, offensive lineman Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson, wide receiver Chimere Dike, "F" edge rusher Brien Taylor Jr., quarterback Clay Millen, linebacker Grayson Howard, defensive back DJ Douglas and edge rusher George Gumbs Jr., below. 

Envisioning Roles for Florida's 2024 Transfers: DB Trikweze Bridges

Envisioning Roles for Florida's 2024 Transfers: DL Joey Slackman

Envisioning Roles for Florida's 2024 Transfers: OL Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson

Envisioning Roles for Florida's 2024 Transfers: WR Chimere Dike

Envisioning Roles for Florida's 2024 Transfers: EDGE Brien Taylor Jr.

Envisioning Roles for Florida's 2024 Transfers: QB Clay Millen

Envisioning Roles for Florida's 2024 Transfers: LB Grayson 'Pup' Howard

Envisioning Roles for Florida's 2024 Transfers: DB DJ Douglas

Envisioning Roles for Florida's 2024 Transfers: EDGE George Gumbs Jr.

Stay tuned to All Gators for continuous coverage of Florida Gators football, basketball and recruiting. Follow along on social media at @AllGatorsOnFN on Twitter and All Gators on FanNation-Sports Illustrated on Facebook.