GAINESVILLE — New UF football coach Jon Sumrall is expected to hire Brad White, a former co-coordinator at Kentucky, to head the Gators’ defense, the Orlando Sentinel has learned.

Contract details have yet to be worked out with the 43-year-old White, who coached at Kentucky beginning in 2018, becoming defensive coordinator in 2019 while also coaching outside linebackers.

Sumrall coached the team’s inside linebackers in 2019-20 and served as co-defensive coordinator with White in 2021 before heading to Troy to become head coach in 2022.

Kentucky fielded Top 25 defenses in 2019 and 2021, and also in 2018 and 2022, when the school allowed an average of just 311.4 yards a game — ranking 12th nationally and the fewest under White’s tenure.

In 2018, White coached Josh Allen, an All-America and future Jacksonville Jaguars first-round pick who led a defense ranked sixth nationally with an average of 16.8 points allowed. Those Wildcats ended a 31-game losing streak to Florida in the Swamp during Dan Mullen’s first season.

In 2020, Kentucky led the SEC with 22 forced turnovers. In 2021, outside-linebacker-turned-defensive-end Josh Paschal led a unit ranked 12th nationally in total defense (311.4 yard per game) and became a second-round pick by the Detroit Lions in the 2022 NFL draft.

In 2023, Kentucky held opponents to 113.1 rushing yards per game to rank second in the SEC and ranked third with 18 takeaways. Since 2020, the Wildcats had 10 interception returns for touchdowns, tied for most in the nation during that span entering 2025.

Sumrall will bring a 3-4 defensive scheme to UF, putting an emphasis on linebacker play. The approach would capitalize on a position with depth and talent, featuring Myles Graham, Jaden Robinson and Aaron Chiles.

Each player was productive in 2025. Graham led the team with 76 tackles, including seven for loss (two sacks), while fellow sophomore Aaron Chiles recorded 52 tackles, including 2.5 for loss, and Robinson had 50 tackles, four for loss (two sacks) as a junior.

Sumrall’s defense at Tulane has forced 41 takeaways in two seasons, including 19 in 2025. The Green Wave intercepted four passes during a 23-3 win against Northwestern on Aug. 30. Tulane also recorded six sacks during a 38-32 win on Nov. 7 against Memphis.

White is a native of Portsmouth, Rhode Island, who also coached inside linebackers two seasons at the Air Force Academy (2010-11). White coached safeties in 2009 at Murray State after serving as a graduate assistant at Wake Forest (2007-08).

White was a linebacker for the Demon Deacons, recording 227 tackles, including 19 for loss (four sacks) and eight passes defensed during 35 appearances, including 34 starts.

White was a three-time All-ACC academic selection who earned a bachelor’s degree in analytical finance and a master’s degree in accounting. He and his wife, Kate, have four children, Julia, Lincoln, Hudson and Lydia.

Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com