Florida scored a commitment from Miami (Fla.) Booker T. Washington cornerback Ben Hanks Jr. on Friday.
Hanks, a blue-chipper in the 2025 recruiting class, went into decision day with a trio of finalists — Florida, Miami, and Louisville. The Gators hosted him for a summer visit and were viewed as the favorites to earn his pledge. Working in Billy Napier’s favor was the opportunity for Hanks to follow in his father’s footsteps.
A legacy commit, Hanks’ father, Ben Sr., played linebacker for Florida in the 1990s. He was a 3-time SEC champion and a 2-time All-SEC selection playing for Steve Spurrier.
Now, Hanks Jr. gets to make his own mark.
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Hanks Jr. is a 6-foot-1, 170-pound defensive back. In the industry-generated 247 Composite, he’s a 4-star prospect and ranked as the No. 12 corner in the class. He’s the No. 18 recruit from the state of Florida and the No. 105 overall prospect in the country.
As a junior last fall, Hanks Jr. was an All-Dade 2M-1M selection by the Miami Herald after posting 38 tackles, 6 interceptions, 3 blocked field goals, 3 pick-sixes, and a fumble return for a touchdown.
He’s been a dynamic playmaker all throughout his high school career, posting 8 pass breakups and 3 picks in 11 sophomore outings for Booker T. Washington and 2 picks as a freshman at Doral Academy in 2021.
Say what you will about Napier’s tenure to this point in Gainesville, but Hanks’ commitment is the latest example of a clear and obvious attempt at embracing and honoring the rich history of Florida football. Napier has prioritized legacy recruits and welcomed former players onto his staff.
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It helps that Hanks Jr. is one of the top prospects in his respective class. With his commitment, the Gators are up to 13 known pledges in the 2025 class. The addition on Friday bumped the class up 13 spots to No. 30 in the 247Sports team rankings.
You can see his highlight tape below, via Hudl:
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.
