Tag: Gators

Florida’s Jon Sumrall hires Kentucky DC Brad White

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Florida’s new football coach Jon Sumrall made his first major hire with longtime Kentucky defensive coordinator Brad White accepting the same position Thursday in Gainesville.

White, 43, was Kentucky’s defensive coordinator and outside linebackers coach from 2019-25, and was that position’s coach in 2018. He spent the six prior seasons with the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts (2012-17), rising from defensive quality control coach to outside linebackers coach.

“Brad is one of the best defensive minds in football and I’m thrilled he will be joining us in Gainesville,” said Sumrall, an assistant with White at Kentucky from 2019-21, including the final year as co-defensive coordinators. “Brad has led one of the best defenses in the SEC the last seven years and has extensive experience in the NFL as well. His defenses possess the exact characteristics we are going to have here at Florida, and I can’t think of a better leader for that unit.”

The Wildcats’ defense ranked in the FBS top 45 from 2018-24, including top 25 in 2018, 2018, 2021 and 2022.

“I’m ready to hit the ground running on helping construct a defense that will make Gator Nation proud,” White said in a news release from the athletic department. “Coach has already stated the vision: be the most feared defense in college football. Now comes the hard work necessary to make that vision a reality. And while scheme has its importance, the most critical focus we’ll have as a defensive staff will be to develop the highly talented playmakers we recruit and demand that they play with a pace and violence second to none.”

One of those players at Kentucky was linebacker Josh Hines-Allen, now a stellar defensive end with the Jacksonville Jaguars. A first-team All-America selection and the Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Year along with numerous national individual awards in 2018, Hines-Allen praised his former position coach.

“First of all, they’re getting a great person, a great communicator, a guy that wants the best for his players,” Hines-Allen said in the news release. “He was my positional coach when I had him, and the time we spent together helped me develop and be where I am today. I give him a lot of credit and a lot of respect and love. He’s done a lot of good things for that program. Hopefully, he continues to have that success at Florida.”

White also worked at Kentucky with Liam Coen, the Jaguars’ first-year head coach, who called him “one of the smarter guys, coaches, I’ve been around at any level.”

“True teacher of the game,” said Coen, the offensive coordinator at Kentucky in 2021 and 2023. “I learned so much from Brad in terms of the way that he saw the game. He is one of the more detailed, organized coaches I’ve been around in terms of his process throughout the week, his checklists throughout the week and then his game plans to be able to go and cause issues for people.”

White was a starting linebacker at Wake Forest, where he graduated in 2004.

–Field Level Media

Jadan Baugh’s historic outing leads Florida to rivalry win over Florida State

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Florida’s Jadan Baugh eclipsed 1,000 yards rushing in a dominating, career-best outing, and the Gators deprived rival Florida State of a bowl berth by rocking the Seminoles 40-21 on Saturday in Gainesville, Fla.

Baugh carried 38 times for 266 yards and two touchdowns, and DJ Lagway was 15 of 24 for 168 yards with three touchdowns and an interception as the Gators (4-8, 2-6 SEC) finally won in November.

With an interim coach and falling out of the Lane Kiffin sweepstakes this weekend, Florida snapped a four-game losing streak.

Meanwhile, Florida State (5-7, 2-6 ACC) needed another win for a bowl appearance, but the ACC school never led and lost for the third time in four games.

Tommy Castellanos went 17 of 28 for 240 yards with two TD passes and a pick; he also rushed for 77 yards and a score. Lawayne McCoy had six receptions for 117 yards and a score.

The Seminoles are now winless on the road for the second straight season; their last road victory, coincidentally, was in Gainesville in 2023.

After the Gators took a 3-0 lead on Trey Smack’s 23-yard kick, Florida’s defense stuffed the visitors’ second series with a turnover on downs, and Lagway soon found J. Michael Sturdivant on a slant for a five-yard score at 2:49 for a 10-0 lead.

However, on third-and-5 in the second quarter, Castellanos hit receiver Micahi Danzy, who hauled in a throw underneath and was shoved into the end zone by his teammates for a 13-yard TD to make it to 10-7 at 13:39.

The home side answered Florida State’s score with a nine-yard play-action pass to Tony Livingston in an epic 13-play, 75-yard drive that ate up 8:01 of the quarter.

Seminoles defensive back Edwin Joseph picked off Lagway to set up the half’s final score, a four-yard scamper by Castellanos as a short skirmish broke out at the goal line between the north Florida foes in the 17-14 contest.

Baugh had 101 yards in the first half to become the first 1,000-yard rusher since Kelvin Taylor in 2015.

Lagway led Florida 40 yards in three plays after a turnover on downs and regained the 10-point lead with a three-yard pass to Hayden Hansen at 9:47. Baugh created separation with a 22-yard run at 2:55 to increase it to 31-14.

Smack hit from 54 for the first points of the 4th quarter. Then, Castellanos found McCoy from 17 yards out with 3:07 left.
Baugh’s TD run was the final score of the contest.

–Field Level Media

Kentucky dominates Florida for 31-point victory

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Cutter Boley passed for two scores, Seth McGowan ran for a pair and Kentucky notched its second straight win by walloping Florida 38-7 on Saturday night in Lexington, Ken.

The freshman quarterback was an efficient 18-of-23 passing for 168 yards, the two TDs with one interception for the Wildcats (4-5, 2-5 Southeastern Conference), who took a 24-7 lead at the half.

Dante Dowdell rushed for 104 yards on seven carries, including a 65-yard touchdown run. McGowan had 92 yards on 22 attempts with scores on runs of 2 and 5 yards.

DJ Lagway had a poor performance for the Gators (3-6, 2-4). The sophomore from Texas struggled by going 11 of 19 for 83 yards with a touchdown and three interceptions, prompting his benching at halftime.

Freshman backup Tramell Jones Jr. was 9 of 17 for 60 yards in relief.

Running back Jadan Baugh rushed for 64 yards on 17 carries and caught a 10-yard TD pass in the first quarter for the Gators’ lone score.

Each team committed four turnovers in the lopsided contest.

On Florida’s first possession, Kentucky was set up when defensive back Ty Bryant intercepted Lagway and returned it 17 yards. Jacob Kauwe soon booted a 39-yard field goal at 6:42 for a 3-0 edge.

In their second game under interim coach Billy Gonzales, Florida recovered a muffed punt at Kentucky’s 13. Lagway found Baugh on third down, completing a 10-yard pass with 1:12 left in the quarter.

Boley hit J.J. Hester for a 29-yard score to cap a 75-yard drive at 12:39 of the second quarter.

The theme of points off turnovers continued when Cam Dooley recovered a Florida fumble. Boley hit a receiver for paydirt again when he connected with Jason Patterson from 15 yards for a 17-7 advantage.

McGowan rushed for a short score with 1:26 left, but the teams combined for four turnovers in the final seven plays before halftime as Kentucky led by 17.

In the third, the Wildcats went 75 yards in 13 plays. McGowan capped the strong series by taking a direct snap and scampering in from 5 yards out.

The 31-7 margin represented the Wildcats’ largest lead against Florida since 1979 (31-3) when the Gators were caught in what ultimately became an 0-10-1 season.

Dowdell streaked away on a 65-yard scoring run at 12:16 in the fourth quarter for the final points.

–Field Level Media

Oct 11, 2025; College Station, Texas, USA; Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier walks off the field after the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

Florida fires coach Billy Napier, names Billy Gonzales interim

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Florida has fired head coach Billy Napier in the midst of his fourth season in Gainesville, the school announced on Sunday.

In a statement from the athletic director, the school cited the team’s upcoming bye week as being reason to make the move now.

“Making this decision during the open date provides our team valuable time to regroup, refocus, and prepare for the challenges ahead,” Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin wrote. “The timing also allows us to conduct a thoughtful, thorough, and well-informed search for our next head coach. We remain fully committed to utilizing every resource available to identify the right leader to guide Gators Football into the future.”

Napier, 46, posted a 22-23 record during his time with the Gators.

“On behalf of Gator Nation, I want to sincerely thank Billy and his family for their tireless commitment to the Florida Gators,” Stricklin said. “Billy built a tremendous culture of accountability and growth among the young men he led each day. His organized and detailed approach had a meaningful impact across all levels of our program.

“As Coach Napier has often said, this is a results-driven business, and while his influence was positive, it ultimately did not translate into the level of success we expect on the field.”

Longtime receivers coach Billy Gonzales was tabbed to serve as the team’s interim coach.

“Coach Gonzales has been a valued member of our program for many years, including being a part of multiple championship teams,” Stricklin added. “He is a Gator through and through. His deep understanding of our culture, our student-athletes, and what it means to represent the University of Florida makes him well-suited to lead our team.”

Florida (3-4, 2-2 Southeastern Conference) will return from its bye to face rival Georgia on Nov. 1 in Jacksonville, Fla.

Napier’s last game was a win, as the Gators seized a 23-21 victory against Mississippi State on Saturday.

Florida entered the season ranked No. 15 before losses to South Florida, LSU, Miami and Texas A&M. The last three on that list were all ranked in the top 10 at the time.

Napier already was on the hot seat after compiling a 19-19 record in his first three seasons at Florida.

He has a 62-35 overall coaching record after posting a 40-12 mark with Louisiana (2018-21).

–Field Level Media

Oct 18, 2025; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators defensive end Kamran James (24) gestures after a sack against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images

Michai Boireau’s late INT preserves Florida win over Mississippi State

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Florida’s Jadan Baugh rushed for a career-high 150 yards and a score, and defensive lineman Michai Boireau intercepted a pass with 21 seconds left to preserve the embattled Gators’ 23-21 win over the Mississippi State Bulldogs on Saturday in Gainesville, Fla.

With Mississippi State (4-3, 0-3 Southeastern Conference) driving for a potential game-winning field goal, Boireau dropped into coverage and grabbed his first career interception to seal the win.

With social media rumors swirling about the possible firing of coach Billy Napier, the Gators (3-4, 2-2) nearly squandered a 23-14 fourth-quarter lead.

Florida’s DJ Lagway was 20-of-34 passing for 280 yards and two interceptions. Vernell Brown III had five receptions for 95 yards.

Mississippi State QB Blake Shapen was 24-of-36 passing for 324 yards and the costly interception as the Bulldogs lost their third straight game and 15th straight in the SEC dating back to October 2023.

Davon Booth rushed for 105 yards on 22 carries with two TDs. Brenen Thompson had seven receptions for 155 yards, while Anthony Evans III had a game-high 11 catches for 107 yards.

The visitors opened with an impressive drive to open the game, traveling 75 yards in eight plays. On 3rd-and goal, Komario Taylor, the squad’s backup quarterback, kept the ball and scooted around the right corner at 12:18 for a 7-0 lead.

Lagway and the Gators had a strong answer, but his third-down throw was ruled incomplete in the end zone. Trey Smack followed with a 24-yard field goal at 8:55.

Baugh ran wide to the right and rambled 19 yards to paydirt early in the second quarter to conclude a 69-yard drive.

The Gators appeared to be set to add on after Brown’s 50-yard catch, but Brylan Lanier picked off Lagway on the next play for the first of his two second-quarter interceptions.

Smack’s 54-yard boot pushed the lead to 13-7 at 3:08, but another good drive ended with another Lanier pick.

To end Florida’s most impressive drive, KD Daniels’ short TD run from the Wildcat formation finished off a 93-yard drive at 13:41 to put the home side up two scores in the fourth quarter, but Booth scored at 11:57 to make it 20-14.

Smack made a 53-yard kick at 6:49, but Booth’s second TD made it 23-21 before Boireau’s game-saving pick.

–Field Level Media

Sep 20, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes running back CharMar Brown (6) carries the football against Florida Gators defensive back Jordan Castell (14) during the first quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

No. 4 Miami’ stiff defense sends Florida spiraling to third straight loss

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CharMar Brown rushed for two touchdowns and accounted for 133 scrimmage yards to help No. 4 Miami notch a 26-7 victory over Florida on Saturday night in nonconference play at Miami Gardens, Fla.

Mark Fletcher Jr. rushed for 116 yards and one score while Brown had 80 yards on the ground and 53 receiving for the Hurricanes (4-0). Carson Beck completed 17 of 30 passes for 160 yards and one interception for Miami, which failed to put the game away during a dominating first half before piling on late.

Jadan Baugh rushed for a touchdown for the Gators (1-3), who lost their third straight game. DJ Lagway was 12-of-23 passing for just 61 yards with a long gain of 12 for Florida, which was 0-for-13 on third down and had just 141 total yards.

The margin was just six points before the Hurricanes received late fourth-quarter rushing touchdowns from Brown and Fletcher in a span of two minutes, 12 seconds while posting their third straight 4-0 start.

The Gators trailed 13-0 at halftime after having just 32 yards and one first down. But Florida put together a solid 11-play, 80-yard drive on its first drive of the third quarter.

Florida had five first downs and gained 70 yards on the ground on the excursion that ended with Baugh’s 7-yard run with 3:24 left in the third quarter.

On Miami’s next play, Beck threw a pass in the middle of the field and Cormani McClain picked it off at the Florida 48-yard line.

The Gators later faced fourth-and-3 from the Miami 33 on the first play of the fourth quarter but Lagway’s completion to TJ Abrams was one yard short and Florida turned the ball over on downs.

The Gators went three-and-out on their next possession before the Hurricanes put together a 13-play, 80-yard drive that chewed up 7:12 off the clock. Brown leaped in from the 1 to make it a 12-point margin with 4:08 left. Beck’s two-point conversion throw was off the mark.

Fletcher added a 1-yard scoring run with 1:56 remaining.

Miami scored just one first-half touchdown despite having big advantages with 198 total yards and 12 first downs. The Gators were 0-for-7 on third-down conversions and had a long gain of 8.

The Hurricanes found the end zone on Brown’s 2-yard run with 9:25 left in the first quarter. Carter Davis drilled field goals of 53 and 28 yards in the second quarter.

–Field Level Media

Barion Brown 6, LSU Tigers take on the Florida Gators. Sept 13, 2025; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; at Tiger Stadium.

No. 3 LSU snags five interceptions in win over Florida

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Garrett Nussmeier threw a touchdown pass, Dashawn Spears returned one of LSU’s five interceptions for a touchdown and the No. 3 Tigers defeated Florida 20-10 on Saturday night in Baton Rouge, La.

Nussmeier completed 15 of 27 passes for 220 yards with an interception, and LSU (3-0, 1-0 SEC) managed just 316 total yards and 10 first downs, but that was good enough because of the defense.

DJ Lagway threw all five of the interceptions, completing 33 of 49 for 287 yards and a touchdown for the Gators (1-2, 0-1). Florida reached the Tigers’ territory on seven possessions, but four of them ended with interceptions.

Florida crossed midfield on its first two possessions of the third quarter but didn’t score. The first ended with a punt and the second ended when Spears intercepted Lagway and ran back 58 yards for a touchdown and a 20-10 lead.

The Tigers had an opportunity to extend the lead early in the fourth quarter when Nussmeier threw a 65-yard completion to the Gators 16. But LSU lost 17 yards on a fumble and on third-and-33, Nussmeier was intercepted by Dijon Johnson.

On the ensuing possession, Lagway drove Florida to the Tigers’ 36, but he was intercepted by Tamarcus Cooley in the end zone.

Trey Smack’s 45-yard field goal on their first possession of the game gave the Gators a 3-0 lead that held up through the end of the first quarter. On the first play of the second quarter, Damian Ramos kicked a 47-yard field goal that tied the score.

Nussmeier threw a 23-yard touchdown pass to Zavion Thomas to give the Tigers a 10-3 lead midway through the period.

Florida responded with a touchdown on its ensuing drive. Lagway converted all three third downs with pass completions, including a final 10-yard score to Aidan Mizell to tie the score at 10.

In the final minute of the second quarter A.J. Haulcy intercepted Lagway, giving LSU the ball at the Florida 40. Ramos kicked a 45-yard field goal to give the Tigers a 13-10 halftime lead.

Caden Durham led the Tigers with 93 rushing yards on 15 carries, including a 51-yard run in the final two minutes which officially iced the game.

–Field Level Media

Sep 6, 2025; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier talks with Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (2) against the South Florida Bulls during the first quarter at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

UF coach Billy Napier plans to remain offensive play-caller after USF upset

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Even while the sky seems to be falling in Gainesville, Florida head coach Billy Napier won’t be making any sweeping changes.

Two days after the Gators (1-1) were stunned in an 18-16 home loss to South Florida, Napier said in his weekly press conference Monday that he remains the offensive play-caller and has given no thought to turning that role over to anyone else.

Two games into the season without having faced any Power Four teams, UF ranks 68th nationally in yards per game (408.0) and 74th in yards per play (5.84).

In Saturday’s loss, the Gators allowed seven tackles for loss and scored just one touchdown with two field goals in three red-zone trips.

After an offseason of hype, UF quarterback DJ Lagway hasn’t gotten off to the best start to his sophomore campaign. He’s thrown for 342 yards, four touchdowns and one interception, but his 6.7 yards per pass attempt ranks 81st nationally among eligible QBs.

While things could improve going forward for the Gators after a slow offensive start, it’ll have to come against an incredibly brutal stretch of schedule.

Florida’s next three games are against teams currently ranked in the top seven, starting at No. 3 LSU on Saturday, at No. 5 Miami on Sept. 20 and home vs. No. 7 Texas on Oct. 4.

Eight of the Gators’ final 10 games are against teams currently ranked in the top 25.

–Field Level Media

Florida Gators edge LJ McCray (11) looks on during spring football practice at Heavener Football Complex at the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]

Florida DE LJ McCray (foot) to miss time after surgery

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Florida sophomore defensive end LJ McCray is set to be sidelined after undergoing foot surgery on Monday, according to multiple reports.

McCray suffered the injury in the second half of Saturday’s 18-16 home loss to South Florida. Per On3, there’s a likely recovery timetable of six to eight weeks.

A former five-star recruit in the 2024 class according to 247Sports, McCray also missed the Gators’ season opener vs. Long Island due to a lower-body injury. He appeared in all 13 games as a freshman, recording 13 tackles, a half-sack, one tackle for loss and five quarterback hurries.

The Gators (1-1) begin a stretch of three straight games against top-10 opponents on the road Saturday against No. 3 LSU (2-0).

–Field Level Media

Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (2) throws the ball during fall football practice at Sanders Indoor Practice Facility at the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL on Thursday, August 14, 2025. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]

No. 15 Florida begins tough 2025 slate vs. Long Island

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With a daunting Southeastern Conference road to travel awaiting him, Florida Gators coach Billy Napier knows his team’s success this season in the powerhouse conference hinges on the development of quarterback DJ Lagway.

Napier will lead the No. 15 Gators into their season opener Saturday night, beginning a schedule lined with major hurdles with a home game against FCS foe Long Island.

Napier was under fire last year after his squad dropped five of its first nine games, including the embarrassment of being routed at home against Miami and manhandled in the Swamp by Texas A&M within its first three contests.

However, the Gators ended the campaign with four straight wins, which included big ones at home over No. 21 LSU and a week later against No. 9 Ole Miss.

Lagway holds the keys that drive Florida’s offense, and Napier had good news to announce earlier this week. Battling shoulder issues in the spring and a calf sprain in the fall, the 6-foot-3-, 247-pound Lagway is good to start on Saturday.

“A lot of times things happen to you that you can’t control, so there’s opportunities to get better as a result of what he’s going through,” Napier said. “He’s learned a lot about himself. This won’t be the first time he’s gone through something like this.

“You play the game, you’re going to get injured, so how you manage that not only physically but mentally. … For him that’s been a bit of a challenge, but I think it’s been healthy for him.”

As a freshman, Lagway won six out of seven starts, passing for 1,915 yards, 12 touchdowns and nine interceptions, along with 101 yards rushing.

Following home games against LIU and South Florida, the Gators hit the road against No. 9 LSU and No. 10 Miami, face No. 1 Texas at home and go to No. 19 Texas A&M in a span of four consecutive games over five weeks.

LIU starting quarterback Ethan Greenwood is not shying away from the giant task ahead of him and his teammates.

“You definitely have to go into this game with a chip on your shoulder,” said Greenwood, a local Long Island product who transferred from The Citadel, according to the New York Post.. “We need a lot of grit, a lot of heart. Everyone needs to be on the same page and executing their plays and assignments.”

Although it’s hard to imagine much of a football connection between a school like Long Island and the SEC, it exists.

Sharks head coach Ron Cooper was a former analyst for Alabama’s Nick Saban and coached secondaries for Texas A&M and LSU.

He has spent the contest’s lead-up time by thundering crowd noise into the LIU gym at 6:30 AM, trying to imitate the Swamp.

The Sharks are receiving $525,000 to make the trip south for the muggy matchup, and Cooper understands the reality of it.

“What’s crazy is (the Gators) probably have one kid on (NIL worth) more than our entire budget,” said Cooper, according to the New York Post.

–Field Level Media