Is Alabama’s roster as talented as Florida’s? At least one offensive lineman who’s been around both teams thinks so.

Former Tide transfer Damieon George Jr. noted some likeness between his old school and his new program when he met with Gators media on Monday. Among the commonalities are “the schedule, the workouts” and both head coaches, Nick Saban and Billy Napier.

“Florida was my whole mindset,” George said. “As soon as I visited Florida I knew that this was the place for me. Coach Napier’s great coach. He obviously was in the Bama tree so he had a lot of similarities that I loved.

“I think the talent level is the same. We have a lot of great players here. Going against the defense every day is making me get better and I’m getting better so we can be ready for the first game.”

George is a native of Houston and chose the Tide over Georgia and LSU, among others in the class of 2020. After three short appearances as a freshman, George retained his redshirt and was a role player in 2021 when he started against Auburn, his lone start for UA. He saw the field the opening two weeks last fall before sitting the rest of the year.

George entered the portal the day after the 2022 Iron Bowl and announced his commitment to Florida in January.

Overall, George said, college football “is very similar all around” when comparing the programs directly. George was also asked about how former Tide star and the NFL Draft’s No. 12 pick Jahymr Gibbs relates to the Gators’ running back room — expected to be led by Montrell Johnson Jr. and Trevor Etienne — with George seeing more “similarities.”

George did give Gainesville an edge over Tuscaloosa in one category, calling the Florida heat “sticky-hot.”

The Tide and Gators aren’t set to play in the regular season each of the next two years, though they could meet in the Southeastern Conference Championship game or College Football Playoff.

Florida went 6-7 a year ago. George, who said he’s lost 15 pounds, should be slotted at right tackle when the Gators open the season against Utah on Aug. 31.

The Crimson Tide will try to rebound from last season’s 10-2 finish when it meets Middle Tennessee State on Sept. 2. Returner JC Latham is back at right tackle while the Tide is sorting out the left side of its line.

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Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at [email protected].