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Florida Gators tackle Austin Barber reveals plans for 2025

On3 imageby:Zach Abolverdi•12/17/24•

ZachAbolverdi

Florida-Gators-Austin-Barber
Florida OL Austin Barber. (Mallory Peak/UAA Photo)

TAMPA, Fla. — Two of Florida’s starting redshirt junior offensive linemen, center Jake Slaughter and right guard Damieon George Jr., recently decided to return for their senior seasons. And now a third one has: left tackle Austin Barber.

Barber is coming back to UF for 2025, he told Gators Online on Tuesday in Tampa.

“I’m going to come back for my final year here at the University of Florida,” Barber said. “I’m excited to be back with the team and all these guys that I’ve been here with.”

With Barber’s decision, the Gators now return four of their five starters on the O-line next year in him, Slaughter, George and left guard Knijeah Harris, who will be a junior in 2025. They have to replace senior right tackle Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson.

Slaughter revealed he was coming back on Monday, and Barber admitted that played a role in his decision.

“Of course,” he said. “I think me and Jake are really good friends and we talk a lot. I’m just excited to be back with him. We’ve been on this journey going on five years now, so I think that’s going to be fun with him. We’re doing a really good job together.”

Slaughter spoke of his bond with Barber earlier this year.

“Austin, that’s my guy. He’s the first guy I lived with here on campus. I even knew him in high school. He and I have a special relationship,” Slaughter said. “Austin is somebody who is a supreme competitor. If we’re running the 40, he’s upset that I ran faster than him. If we run a 5/10/5, I’m upset that he ran faster than me. He is one of the more determined people that you will ever meet, especially when it comes to proving each other right. He’s been a Gator through and through. He just wants the Gators to be great and he wants to be a part of it.”

Barber has made a total of 25 starts in 37 appearances during his college career, starting all 12 games at left tackle for the Gators this year. He was named SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week for his performance at Mississippi State.

Barber posted a season-high PFF pass blocking grade of 85.6 against the Bulldogs and recovered a fumble in the end zone for his first collegiate touchdown. It was one of four games this season where he had a pass blocking grade above 80.

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