Florida leaned into the winter transfer portal to upgrade its roster for the second offseason in a row, securing a dozen college football veterans to bolster the Gators’ roster entering the 2024 offseason.

All Gators is projecting roles for each transfer acquisition. Next up is defensive lineman Joey Slackman, who has joined Florida as a graduate student following three seasons and nearly five years at Pennsylvania.

Slackman enrolled at Penn in 2019 as a wrestler and transitioned to football ahead of the 2021 season, after Ivy League winter sports were canceled amid the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.

He emerged as a contributor on the Quakers’ defensive front almost immediately, with 16 tackles including 3.5 for loss in a rotational role during his debut season on the gridiron.

Vaulted into a first-team position for the next two years, Slackman dominated the trenches en route to 8.5 sacks and 21.5 tackles for loss. He pressured the opposing quarterback 51 times over those 19 games, according to Pro Football Focus.

In total, Slackman accumulated 115 tackles with 25 for loss, 11 sacks, two forced fumbles, three defended passes and one blocked kick.

“Joey was the conference Player of the Year at Penn,” UF head coach Billy Napier said about Slackman on Dec. 20, 2023. “6-[foot]-3 1/2, 295, he’s got good length. He’s a former wrestler. The film was impressive … this guy’s got leadership. He’s got a motor, he’s driven, he’s ambitious, and he’s got a plan.”

Slackman’s strength and agility, originally developed inside the ring, shine through on his football game reel.

Primarily from the three-technique defensive tackle spot, Slackman consistently disassembles and penetrates protection to force himself into the backfield against the run and pass. He maintains a low center of gravity and pairs lower-body power with adept rush moves, such as the bull, rip and long-arm, to beat blocks and wreak havoc.

Slackman is also well-versed in rush stunts, being athletic enough to shift from his inside position outward post-snap, take on offensive tackles and open interior gaps for fellow defenders to shoot through.

Slackman’s prowess as an interior rusher will lead to playing opportunities at three-technique, which is Florida’s “END” position next to the JACK edge rusher, and potentially nose tackle.

Caleb Banks occupied the starting role at END in 2023 with Chris McClellan, who has since transferred to Missouri, frequently rotating into the lineup throughout the season. The duo combined to tally 42 tackles with 2.5 for loss on the year.

At a minimum, Slackman can be expected to take over McClellan’s share of snaps in 2024. Provided his background as a productive, seasoned starter, it can be anticipated that Slackman will compete with Banks to fill a first-team function on UF’s defensive front.