Joey Slackman injury update: Gators DL undergoes surgery, per report

One of Florida‘s top additions through the NCAA transfer portal is slated to miss time due to injury, with defensive lineman Joey Slackman undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his meniscus.

247Sports’ Graham Hall reported the news, which impacts Slackman’s left knee.

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The former Penn defensive lineman did not suit up in the team’s second contest of the season, a 45-7 win over Samford. He did play in the season opener against Miami and last weekend’s game against Texas A&M.

On the season Slackman has totaled two tackles.

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Florida was counting on the former Penn player, who has a background in wrestling, to help shore up its defensive front going into a pivotal third year under coach Billy Napier. So far, though, that help has not materialized.

The Gators currently rank 102nd nationally in run defense, while checking in at No. 72 nationally in sacks.

Getting pressure on the quarterback has been a major issue so far, one that has allowed two of three opponents to get a lead on Florida and then essentially just sit on it for a large chunk of the second half.

Of course, Joey Slackman is just one man on the defense. And his credentials preceded him to Florida.

The New York native was the Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year in 2023.

Slackman registered 50 tackles, including 12 behind the line of scrimmage, four sacks and one pass breakup this past season. His 90.1 overall Pro Football Focus (PFF) grade led all FCS defensive tackles, as did his 92.8 run-defense rating. He posted 18 pressures as a pass rusher — tied for 36th among FCS interior defensive linemen.

Joey Slackman played in 28 games over three seasons for the Quakers. He finished his Ivy League career with 115 tackles, 56 solo, 25 tackles for a loss, 11 sacks, 3 passes defended and two forced fumbles.