Billy Napier: OL Kingsley Eguakun Returning to Practice for Florida

Florida anticipates starting center Kingsley Eguakun's return to practice this week.

Photo: Kingsley Eguakun; Credit: Alex Shepherd

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Redshirt junior center Kingsley Eguakun is expected to return to practice for Florida this week ahead of the Gators' Saturday matchup with No. 11 Tennessee, head coach Billy Napier said on Monday. 

Eguakun, Florida's starting center, suffered an ankle injury during fall training camp on Aug. 16. Until this week, he had been unable to participate in practice due to the hurt.

Eguakun was listed as questionable on Florida's injury reports ahead of their matchups with Utah and McNeese State, but did not appear in either contest and was seen wearing a boot on his right foot during both games. 

"We get Kingsley back this week, which I think will be a positive," Napier said on Monday before complimenting Eguakun's replacement, redshirt sophomore center Jake Slaughter, for his performance in Week 2.

"Look, Jake was player of the game. He played significantly better Week 1 to Week 2," Napier said. "I think there's some elements of that that's helped us developing some depth."

Prior to his injury, Eguakun had started 26 games in a row in the middle of the Gators' offensive line, snapping the ball to Florida's quarterback 1,700 times since the beginning of the 2021 season. 

Eguakun has not allowed a quarterback sack in his career, per Pro Football Focus.

"I've seen King for the past two weeks want to be out there," Florida quarterback Graham Mertz said about Eguakun on Monday. "He's got an edge to him. He's excited. It will definitely be great to get him back."

Napier was also flattering of Gators redshirt senior offensive tackle Lyndell Hudson II, an offseason transfer from Florida International, for his debut showing on Saturday. Hudson played 41 snaps at right tackle against McNeese after starting 27 games for the Panthers between 2019-22. 

"Third tackle, very capable player. I think he's impressed me," Napier said about Hudson. "He did just show up in June, so there's an element to that. I think he's continuing to learn and grow and develop more knowledge of the system. I think every week he gets a little bit better. But, yeah, gives us a swing tackle there, which we didn't have in the opener. Had some issues there."

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