Florida football coach Jon Sumrall said he wanted to keep UK S Jordan Castell

Florida football targeted a handful of players it wanted from former coach Billy Napier's roster in 2025, a core five that included running back Jadan Baugh, linebacker Myles Graham, receivers Vernell Brown III and Dallas and edge rusher Jayden Woods. But there is one that current Florida Gators coach Jon Sumrall said got away. Three-year UF starting safety Jordan Castell transferred within the conference to Kentucky rather than stay at UF. Castell is having a breakout year for the Wildcats with four interceptions, which is tied for the SEC lead. Florida will face both Castell and former UF turned UK defensive back Aaron Gates when the Gators play at the Wildcats on Saturday, November 14 (6:15 p.m. ESPN). In addition to the four picks, the 6-foot-2, 213-pound Castell has posted 68 tackles, 3 tackles for loss and 4 pass breakups. "Castell, I never really had enough quality time by the time I think he made his decision," Sumrall said. "I think he was kind of maybe already in a place that he was going, probably. He's played really good football for them this year. "He's looked, you know, I know he had a great freshman year here. Not that he didn't have good football after that, but he's looked like he's at his peak this season to me. I mean, he's obviously been creating turnovers and playing really high-level football," Sumrall said he was more confident Gates would return. Gates has 21 tackles and 7 pass breakups for the Wildcats this season, "We were at a place where I thought he was staying, maybe, and then he had a change of heart, and would have loved to have kept both guys," Sumrall said. "Those were two guys I wanted to keep." Without Gates and Castell, Florida has struggled in pass defense this season, ranking 11th in the SEC at 232.6 passing yards allowed per game. But the problems have been more at cornerback than at safety. Baylor transfer DJ Coleman, Castell's replacement, has emerged as one of the leaders on UF's defense with 39 tackles, 3 pass breakups, 2 interceptions and a forced fumble. Kevin Brockway is The Gainesville Sun’s  Florida  beat writer. Contact him at kbrockway@gannett.com. Follow him on X @KevinBrockwayG1.