Billy Napier shares Fletcher Westphal is sidelined with mononucleosis

Florida freshman offensive lineman Fletcher Westphal has been sidelined with mononucleosis, Gators head coach Billy Napier confirmed.

The disease, which is a viral infection that causes a sore throat and fever, has kept him from practicing with the team in recent days. It doesn’t appear to be anything too series, according to Napier.

“We anticipate getting him back here pretty soon,” Napier said.

Westphal is the reigning Virginia High School Player of the Year after dominating at Tuscarora High School during his senior campaign. He was expected to anchor a freshman offensive line class that features fellow four-star recruit Marcus Mascoll and three-stars Enoch Wangoy and Noel Portnjagin.

Despite Westphal’s absence, Napier is fairly pleased with how his offensive line has been performing thus far in fall camp.

“We’ve got a good three-deep, maybe more,” Napier continued. “Big and long, and I think the weight room work is showing up. But all those guys are doing a good job. It was pretty violent out there (at practice on Friday) night, let’s put it that way.

“So, I think that we’re getting better on the edges, too. The inside players … we got a chance to be pretty good up front. We’ve got some work to do there.”

The Gators’ offensive line allowed 39 sacks in 2023 — the fourth-highest mark in the SEC last season. Quarterback Graham Mertz was sacked 33 times alone. However, given that Florida is expected to be improved along the offensive front in 2024, these numbers are expected to lessed heading into next season.

OT Austin Barber returns for his third season in Gainesville after undergoing shoulder surgery this offseason and transfer Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson from San Diego State comes in projected to start at one of the tackle positions.

Knijeah Harris and Dameion George Jr. figure to be slotted at both guard positions while Jake Slaughter returns after starting eight games for Florida in 2023. Pro Football Focus ranked Slaughter as the No. 14 center in FBS is offseason.

While the personnel may be improved, Florida still boasts the No. 1 strength of schedule in FBS this season. In Vegas, oddsmakers have set the Gators win total at over/under 4.5 wins. With an improved offensive line, Napier and company will look to shatter that glass ceiling beginning on Aug. 31 against in-state rival Miami. They’ll also battle the likes of Tennessee, Georgia, Texas, LSU, Ole Miss and Florida State before the end of the regular season.