The Florida Gators have officially named Brad White as the defensive coordinator for the 2026 season. White previously worked with Jon Sumrall when the two were at Kentucky, and White served as the defensive coordinator for Kentucky from 2019 through 2025.
Kentucky's defense was solid at times when White was in Lexington, but for his defense to work in Gainesville, there isone key spot on the roster that will need a desperate overhaul in 2026.
Florida must improve its defensive line for 2026
The knock on Kentucky while White was there was that the Wildcats tended to play soft zones that were frequently exposed against better competition. From 2019 through 2025, Kentucky gave up over 30 points per game against ranked opponents, and opposing QBs completed 70% of their passes in those games.
Prior to Florida playing Kentucky this season, we had spoken with Wildcat Blue Nation, our Fansided sister site for Kentucky, and they noted White's defenses rarely blitz and depended upon the front four to generate pressure.
Kentucky was only in the top 50 for sacks twice in White's seven years.
So there is a little bit of concern if White brings over the exact same scheme to Florida because, to put it gently, Florida's defense line is going to need an overhaul heading into 2026.
The Gators will have, as of now, Jayden Woods and Kamran James return at EDGE, and we'll see if former five-star LJ McCray returns and is healthy, but beyond that, it is slim pickings in terms of returning production along the defensive line.
The interior of the defensive line was a massive concern coming into the season, and while Brenden Bett was decent enough when he wasn't spitting on people, no one else on that unit can really lay claim to a good 2025 campaign.
And so if White is dependent on his defensive line to get pressure on QBs and is reluctant to blitz, he might be in for a rude awakening once he arrives in Gainesville.
The good news is that Florida landed highly touted prospect KJ Ford on signing day, and the transfer portal can cure all holes.
It just means that when the portal opens, Florida can't be asleep at the wheel like the previous regime.