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 starting offensive linemen next year in him, Slaughter, George and left guard Knijeah Harris , who will be a junior in 2025. They will 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. 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.”