UCLA is closing in on its next cornerbacks coach, according to a report.

Per The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman, the Bruins are expected to hire Sacramento State safeties coach Kodi Whitfield for the position. As Feldman notes, Whitfield was once a graduate assistant at UCLA.

Whitfield is a Stanford graduate who just completed his 1st season at Sacramento State. He was a recent graduate assistant at UCLA, helping the Bruins’ defensive backs in 2020-21.

He’s also an accomplished player with the Cardinal. As a senior in 2015, he was credited with 49 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 interception and 1 forced fumble. He spent the first part of his career with Stanford as a wide receiver.

Whitfield will be tasked with improving UCLA’s pass defense. The Bruins ranked 8th in passer efficiency rating allowed last season amongst Pac-12 teams.

Whitfield’s father, Bob, played in the NFL for 12 seasons. He was the No. 8 overall pick by the Atlanta Falcons in the 1992 NFL Draft.