Florida’s defense has a new voice in the room - and it’s one that already knows what it means to wear the Orange and Blue. Bam Hardmon, a former Gators linebacker turned outside linebackers coach, is back in Gainesville with a clear mission: build a dominant edge unit and keep top-tier talent in-house.
That challenge came early. Before Hardmon even had time to settle into his new role under head coach Jon Sumrall, he was on a plane to Kansas, joining Sumrall for a crucial face-to-face with one of Florida’s most promising young defenders - edge rusher Jayden Woods.
At the time, Woods was in the transfer portal, drawing serious interest from powerhouses like Texas, Ohio State, and Texas A&M. But the Gators weren’t ready to let him go.
Woods, a Shawnee, Kansas native who signed with Florida as part of the 2025 class, had just wrapped up a freshman season that turned heads. He played in every game, started two, and posted 28 tackles, five tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and even an interception. According to Pro Football Focus, he also tallied 17 quarterback pressures and 18 defensive stops across 448 snaps - not bad for a first-year edge defender in the SEC.
Hardmon, who knows a thing or two about making an early impact - he played in every game as a freshman back in 1999 and racked up 257 tackles during his Gators career - saw something special in Woods. But more importantly, he knew what it would take to keep him in Gainesville.
“It was about making that connection,” Hardmon said of the in-home visit with Woods and his family. “It wasn’t just about football - it was about trust.
We wanted to make sure they felt comfortable with me, that they knew who I was and what I stood for. Face-to-face, that’s where real relationships are built.”
The next day, Woods pulled his name from the portal and recommitted to Florida. That’s a win - not just in the recruiting column, but in the locker room. And Hardmon is fired up about what’s ahead.
“Really good player. I’m excited to see what he’s going to do,” Hardmon said.
“He had success last year, and now it’s about growing into year two. He works the right way, prepares the right way.
If he keeps doing that, the sky’s the limit.”
Woods will anchor the JACK linebacker position - Florida’s hybrid edge role - in a room that’s shaping up to be one of the more intriguing position groups on the roster. Alongside him is redshirt senior Kofi Asare, who transferred in from UMass and contributed one sack and 2.5 tackles for loss in his first season in the SEC. Then there’s true freshman KJ Ford, a four-star recruit out of Duncanville (Texas) High School, who racked up 15.5 sacks and 33.5 tackles for loss over his final two prep seasons.
Ford has already made an impression in Gainesville.
“He’s mature beyond his years,” Hardmon said. “He looks up to Jayden a lot, but he’s also putting in the work.
He’s eager, he’s focused, and this spring is going to be big for him. I just want to see him play fast and execute.”
The edge room doesn’t stop there. Florida also returns strong-side defensive ends like Kamran James, offseason transfer Emmanuel Oyebadejo, and former five-star recruit LJ McCray. It’s a deep, versatile group - and one that new defensive coordinator Brad White is counting on to set the tone.
“We have to be sound and explosive,” Hardmon said. “Coach White came in this morning and said it straight: ‘We gotta be dominant on the edge.’ Whether it’s rushing the passer or holding the edge in the run game, we have to make an impression.”
That’s the standard being set in Gainesville. And with a mix of returning experience, young talent, and a coach who knows what it means to play in The Swamp, Florida’s edge defenders are gearing up to be a force this fall.
Spring ball is just around the corner. And for Hardmon and his unit, it’s the first real chance to turn potential into production.