Aaron Chiles isn’t going anywhere - and that’s big news for Florida’s defense.
The sophomore linebacker announced he’ll be staying in Gainesville despite the recent coaching shakeup that saw Billy Napier fired midseason and Jon Sumrall step in as the new head coach. The announcement came via Florida Victorious, the Gators’ NIL collective, and it sends a clear message: Chiles is all-in on what’s next for this program.
And that’s a win for the Gators.
Chiles, a four-star recruit from the class of 2024, was one of the more highly touted defensive players in his cycle. Ranked as the No. 6 linebacker in the country and the No. 2 overall player in Maryland, he cracked the national top 100 at No. 61 overall, per 247Sports’ Composite rankings. He had options - and expectations - from the jump.
On the field, he’s been steadily living up to the hype.
As a true freshman in 2024, Chiles saw action in every game, notching 22 tackles and recording his first career sack. That kind of early involvement isn’t always guaranteed for a first-year player, especially in the SEC, but Chiles proved he could handle the speed and physicality of the college game from day one.
His sophomore season in 2025 showed real progression. Again playing in all 12 games, he finished fifth on the team in tackles with 51, added 2.5 tackles for loss, and chipped in half a sack. He also earned his first career start in the Gators’ penultimate game of the season against Tennessee - a sign that his role in the defense is expanding, and the coaching staff trusts him to anchor the second level.
Now, with Sumrall taking over the program, Chiles is positioned to become a foundational piece of this new-look Florida defense. And by the sound of it, he’s already buying into what Sumrall is selling.
“It was very intense. Right away, you could tell he’s determined and ready to work,” Chiles said of his first meeting with the new head coach.
“He’s a winner, and he talked about that from the start. You can feel that mindset immediately, and I’m ready to win as well.”
That kind of mindset matters. Especially during a transition year, when rosters can get shaky and leadership is in flux, having a young, talented player like Chiles not only stay - but embrace the challenge - is a huge boost for Florida’s locker room.
Sumrall, known for his defensive acumen, now has a versatile, experienced linebacker to build around. Chiles has shown he can play sideline to sideline, contribute in the pass rush, and hold up in coverage. As he heads into his junior season, the arrow is pointing up - not just for his individual development, but for his potential impact on a defense that’s looking to reestablish its identity.
There’s still work to be done in Gainesville, no doubt. But keeping a player like Aaron Chiles in the fold? That’s the kind of move that helps lay the foundation for something bigger.