Florida coach Jon Sumrall hired offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner away from Georgia Tech, where Faulkner guided the nation’s eighth-ranked offense this year, a source briefed on the matter said Thursday.

Faulkner’s star has risen in the coaching world over the past three years as a part of the Yellow Jackets’ resurgence into a top-25 program. He brings to Florida an offensive system that is a blend of multiple influences: Todd Monken’s offense from Faulkner’s time on Georgia’s staff (2020-22), the run-based system he played in high school in Georgia and the air raid he played in at Valdosta State. There were also pro-style influences at stops before Faulkner’s time at Georgia.

Faulkner has described his system as a “pro-style hybrid.”

“It’s a lot of pro-style stuff mixed with what you see in high school, what you see in colleges,” Faulkner told The Athletic this past summer. “Our passing game is just like the NFL, our terminology is a lot like the NFL. But we have a mix of air raid stuff. And then we also have a big mix of (where) the quarterback run game is a huge part of it.”

The latter is thanks to Haynes King, the wrecking-ball style quarterback whose transfer to Georgia Tech three years ago coincided with Faulkner’s arrival. Whether it was due to King, Faulkner or a combination of both, Georgia Tech’s offense took off.

The Yellow Jackets ranked 115th in yards per play in 2022, the year the school fired coach Geoff Collins and replaced him with Brent Key on an interim basis. When Key got the full-time job, he hired Faulkner, and Georgia Tech’s offense jumped to 27th nationally the next year. It ranked 40th last year and among the top 20 this year.

Faulkner was named earlier this week as one of 15 finalists for the Broyles Award, which goes to the nation’s top assistant.

Georgia Tech gave Key a contract extension this week, along with a raise and a financial commitment for staff and players. It’s not clear whether Faulkner is getting a big raise at Florida, but it’s an SEC job, and a chance to work with former five-star QB DJ Lagway, who had a rocky sophomore season.

Florida (4-8) struggled on offense despite head coach Billy Napier being an offensive-minded coach and the play-caller. The Gators had the SEC’s 12th-ranked offense and came last in scoring.

Sumrall, who has been Tulane’s head coach, has a defensive background, so this was a key hire. The hope is that Faulkner can get Lagway to stay and unlock his potential. Lagway led the SEC with 14 interceptions this season and was 14th in yards per attempt. King, besides being third in the ACC in YPA, has racked up 922 rushing yards, third-most in the ACC.

No. 23 Georgia Tech (9-3) is coming off a 16-9 loss to Georgia last Friday, and awaits its bowl destination.