2026 NFL Prospect Profile: Florida’s Jake Slaughter

Florida Gators star center Jake Slaughter highlights the center position in the 2026 draft. As many offensive linemen do, Slaughter needed to develop and mature into his frame in the early part of his collegiate career, but in 2023, he started for the Gators and hasn’t looked back since. 

2024 was truly a year of maturity for the blue-chip prospect, watching him do equally well in pass blocking and run blocking. In the last two seasons, he started in 25 games, logging over 1400 snaps, on his way to being named as First-team All-SEC and First-team All-American by a half dozen outlets. 

Strengths 

Slaughter is an intelligent player, necessary for centers in the pro game, as they call out blocking assignments and blitz pickups. His blocking techniques in both run blocking and pass protection are the best in this class of centers, and he won’t need much coaching to refine them for the next level. 

He loves to run block and plays with a mean streak, a trait many teams will love. But don’t sleep on his pass blocking. Slaughter only gave up 3 sacks over the past two seasons and has room to add weight to his frame, helping him anchor down even more effectively. And with the right opportunity, Slaughter can be moved around to play anywhere in the interior line for his pro team. That positional flexibility is not just valued but sought by many at the next level. 

Weaknesses

Slaughter doesn’t have many weaknesses in his game, but some are worth mentioning. He is a little smaller than what is ideal for the NFL level. He currently weighs in at 295 lbs., but does have the frame to add weight and muscle, which should serve to help him as he advances to the next level. 

Secondly, as good as Slaughter is, he can still work on his run-blocking techniques. As a smaller center, he can miss blocks that are harder to reach and won’t be able to rely on his speed only at the next level. 

Conclusion

Many prognosticators have locked Slaughter in as the best center prospect on the board, with a shot of coming off the board late in round one. His technique, high football IQ, and positional flexibility will be valued by scouts and coaches alike. He could have left last year for the NFL, but instead stayed to improve his game and cement his draft stock as a first-rounder. Barring injury, Draft Nation agrees and expects him to be off the big board by late round one.