GAINESVILLE — Florida landed Penn State transfer offensive lineman TJ Shanahan to capitalize on new assistant coach Phil Trautwein’s relationship while their coach with the Nittany Lions.
The Gators acted quickly when the transfer portal opened Friday to address perhaps their biggest offseason need and meet head coach Jon Sumrall’s goal to excel up front.
Shanahan, who announced his decision on his X account, is a native of Austin, Texas, and cousin of former Gators Jon Halapio. A 6-foot-4, 330-pound redshirt junior, Shanahan appeared in five games in 13 appearances after he transferred from Texas A&M, where he started five games and played 419 snaps during 10 appearances in 2024.
Shanahan begins the Gators’ offensive line rebuild after 2024 All-America center Jake Slaughter, left tackle Austin Barber and right guard Damion George completed their eligibility. The trio, which combined for 102 starts at UF, was expected to anchor one of the nation’s top O-lines.
Instead, the Gators ranked 12th in the SEC is rushing (136.75 yards per games), but did tie for third in fewest sacks allowed (20).
UF will return three players with starting experience, left guard Knijeah Harris, who started 25 games the past two seasons, right tackle Caden Jones, who started 10 games in 2025, and five-game starter Bryce Lovett.
The Gators also interested in Shanahan’s former Penn State teammate, 6-foot-8, 302-pound Eagen Boyer. Boyer hailes from Cornelius, N.C., appeared in 12 games during two seasons at Penn State, including eight in 2025 — one of them a start during the Nittany Lions’ 22-10 win against Clemson Dec. 27 in the Pinstripe Bowl.
Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com
https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2026/01/06/gators-land-penn-state-o-linemen-tj-shanahan/

