Florida offensive lineman [autotag]Damieon George Jr[/autotag]. won’t be leaving the program for the transfer portal after all.
Following reports of George’s decision to enter the portal earlier in the week, both 247Sports and On3 learned from team sources that the starting right guard is practicing with the team ahead of the Gasparilla Bowl and plans to return to the Gators in 2025.
On3’s Pete Nakos cited George’s agents Noah Reisenfeld and Adie von Gontard as sources for the initial report, so it’s possible this was a leveraging move that got resolved quickly.
George joined the Gators in 2023 as a transfer out of Alabama. He started 10 games at right tackle, one at left tackle and came off the bench in another throughout last season. He transitioned to guard over the offseason and started 10 games at right guard in 2024 for Florida.
Pro Football Focus gave him a 70.2 overall offensive grade, a 71.0 as a run blocker and a 73.4 as a pass blocker. He allowed just seven quarterback pressures and didn’t give up a sack this year.
With Florida losing Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson to graduation, the Gators could move George back to right tackle in 2025. That would allow younger guards, such as Bryce Lovett and Kamryn Waites, to remain in the rotation and give George a chance to prove himself again at his natural position.
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