Florida OL Devon Manuel pleads not guilty after recent DUI arrest

Florida offensive lineman Devon Manuel has plead not guilty to charges of misdemeanor DUI and felony possession of a concealed weapon, according to Alachua County court documents. The plea was entered on Aug. 1.

Manuel is now being represented by attorney Timothy Taylor, who recently represented Florida defensive back Dijon Johnson in a case that the state ultimately opted not to pursue. Manuel was arrested on SW 34th Street in Gainesville shortly after midnight on July 18.

He was charged with one count of felony possession of a concealed weapon/electric weapon/device and one count of misdemeanor DUI. Police noted they found a concealed firearm that was readily accessible tucked between the front driver seat and the center console.

Deputies also noted that Devon Manuel was driving the vehicle while “affected to the extent that his normal faculties were impaired.” Manuel was reportedly driving 60 miles per hour in a 45 mile per hour zone.

Police reportedly smelled marijuana coming from the vehicle, and Manuel noted that he had taken a hit from a “cart.” He also admitted to possessing the firearm and pointed it out to officers.

Devon Manuel is preparing for his second season at Florida after transferring from Arkansas ahead of the 2024 campaign. He appeared in three games for the Gators as he served largely in a reserve role.

At Arkansas, Manuel appeared in nine games as a redshirt sophomore in 2023, including four starts. He had the second-highest run block grade on the roster that year, according to Pro Football Focus, as he totaled 417 snaps.

Manuel is expected to once again be a depth piece on a Florida offensive line tasked with protecting DJ Lagway. The Gators are looking to take a leap forward after last year’s surge, especially considering Lagway will be the full-time starter after returning from injury.

Florida’s offensive line generated some buzz this offseason. In fact, ESPN analyst Greg McElroy ranked the Gators as one of the 10 best units in 2025.

“I do look at what you have back on the interior, at guard,” McElroy said on Always College Football. “I think you like those pieces. I would imagine you just got to figure out right tackle now. But for the most part, it should be one of the best groups in the country, assuming all those pieces come together and reach their potential collectively.”

Fellow analyst Cole Cubelic – a former offensive lineman himself – also assessed what Florida has on the offensive line this season. He pointed out the way Billy Napier’s system allows for success at the position, and he thinks the Gators will have an aggressive group up front.

“I’ll say this and this doesn’t mean it’s any easier,” Cubelic said. “This is a very offensive lineman-friendly offense. Because you’re getting guys going way far to the east and way far to the west. You give them a lot of things to think about that don’t allow them to tee off on you in a north and south manner… I think that’s the main reason Billy does a lot of what he does. It allows his group to remain aggressive consistently.”

On3’s Nick Schultz also contributed to this report.