Report: Florida center Kingsley Eguakun signs with Detroit Lions as undrafted free agent

Florida center Kingsley Eguakun has been signed by the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent following the 2024 NFL Draft, according to a report from Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.

Eguakun received a $20,000 signing bonus and a $225,000 base salary guarantee, according to Birkett.

The talented veteran was a multi-year starter for Florida, proving to be quite proficient at the center position.

He was limited by injury at times, particularly during his redshirt junior season in 2023 when he made four starts and totaled just 246 snaps on the offensive line for the Gators.

In total, Eguakun started 30 games while appearing in 44 for Florida. He was a four-time SEC Fall Academic Honoree, while he also was a 2023 NFF Hamphshire Honor Society member.

Kingsley Eguakun made his time in college well worth it, earning two degrees. He earned a bachelor’s in criminology in the fall of 2022, then earned a master’s degree in tourism & hospitality management in the fall of 2023.

A cerebral player, Eguakun was a key cog in the middle of the line for Florida, showing the ability to adjust the line accordingly based on defensive looks, while keeping everyone on the unit on the same page.

He’s also got some physical qualities that scouts love.

What NFL Draft analysts are saying about Kingsley Eguakun

At 6 foot 3, 304 pounds, Eguakun has good but not great size. It’s borderline enough to be a concern for some NFL Draft analysts.

While he is scrappy once engaged with defenders, Eguakun doesn’t always get there in the most effective manner, which can impact his run blocking.

As NFL Network analyst Lance Zierlein puts it, a ‘lack of leverage’ could be detrimental to Kingsley Eguakun’s NFL chances:

“Slightly undersized three-year starting center whose lack of leverage and play strength could make the NFL game a tough nut to crack. Eguakun has the quickness to get into space as a pulling center or second-level climber but needs to do a better job of dominating those targets once he strikes.

“He’s a fighter and a strainer at the point of attack but it’s unlikely to be enough when facing off against a willful NFL nose tackle. Bull rushers will cause trouble for him due to his lack of lower-body anchor, but his sets and punch are fairly well-schooled. Eguakun could be a later-round pick but might not have enough marks in his favor to make a roster.”