Billy Napier confirms Kingsley Eguakun still listed as questionable

Just over 24 hours separates us from the official start of Week 1 in college football. Florida will play in the premier game of Thursday night, traveling to Salt Lake City to face off against Utah. Weather has made an impact on the schedule and injuries are playing a role in preparation as well.

The biggest injury currently in question for Florida revolves around starting center Kingsley Eguakun. Head coach Billy Napier previously mentioned Eguakun was listed as questionable and said the same on Wednesday. To this point, there has not been too much change in the offensive lineman’s status.

“We listed him as questionable and that’s what he is,” Napier said via the SEC Coaches Teleconference. 

Napier originally gave out the status of Eguakun on Friday, just under a week before the Utah game. “Day-to-day” was used by the Florida head coach and progress was being made. Based on Napier’s comments on Wednesday, nothing has changed as we are closer to kickoff.

“Kingsley is to be determined,” Napier said on Friday. “I think he’s day-to-day. We do like the progress that 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.”

If Eguakun cannot go, Jake Slaughter is listed as the backup center. He would likely be the one to get the start, snapping the ball to new starting quarterback Graham Mertz. And in what should be a rowdy Utah crowd on Thursday night, communication between the two is going to be critical.

Kingsley Eguakun brings veteran presence to Florida offensive line

The turnover at Florida has been massive since Napier took over. Moving on from the Dan Mullen era meant a lot of players entering the program and leaving via the NCAA transfer portal. Fresh faces have arrived in the masses.

Eguakun has been a staple for Florida, being a starter over the past two seasons. Nick de la Torre of On3’s Gators Online pointed out how Eguakun has 40 career starts at the collegiate level. The past 26 of those have come consecutively at the center position.

The streak has a chance to be broken on Thursday night when the Gators take the field in Salt Lake City. Even so, Napier will just be hoping Eguakun can get back onto the field in a timely fashion. There will be more to the 2023 season than the Utah game and the center will be wanted in the long run.