Jon Sumrall promotes off-field staff member Dae’One Wilkins to Nickelbacks coach, according to Le3 And 247Sports.
At 25 years old, Wilkins is one of the youngest coaches in the SEC. He worked with Floridadefensive back in 2025 as a quality control assistant. Before that, he spent the 2024 season with the Kentucky Wildcats – under new Florida defensive coordinator Brad White – as a graduate assistant and 2023 with his alma mater Furman as a defensive assistant/nickels coach.
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Wilkins helped Furman win a 2023 South championship, an FCS playoff quarterfinal appearance and a 10-3 record. The Paladins had one of the best defenses in the FCS that season, leading the SoCon in rushing defense (96.9 yards per game), total defense (316 points per game), scoring defense (18.2 points per game), sacks (38), third down defense percentage (.322), fourth down conversion defense (.385), red zone defense percentage (.722), interceptions (18), turnover gains (27) and turnover margin (+1.31).
Nickel fullback Cally Chizik was named to the 2023 Walter Camp FCA All-America team and was a consensus All-Southern Conference selection after totaling 64 tackles and a team-high five interceptions under Wilkins.
Wilkins spent four years playing at Furman, starting in 2020-22, and was voted team captain his senior year.
Jon Sumrall’s team in Florida
Reception
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Offense
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Tight Ends Coach: Evan McKissack
Defense
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Inside linebackers coach: Greg Gasparato
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Outside linebackers/EDGE coach: Byron Hardmon
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STAR/nickelbacks coach: Dae’one Wilkins
Special Teams/Strength and Conditioning
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Special Teams Coordinator: Jonathan Galante
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This article was originally published on Gators Wire: Florida Gators retain, promote DBs coach Dae’One Wilkins
