The Florida football program added another top prospect to its 2026 recruiting class on Thursday when four-star safety CJ Hester committed to the Gators. His verbal pledge makes him the 16th member of the cycle to set their sights on Gainesville.
The 6-foot-1-inch, 185-pound defensive back out of Cocoa (Florida) chose the Orange and Blue over the likes of the Auburn Tigers, Georgia Bulldogs, Syracuse Orange and Iowa Hawkeyes, among a total of 6 schools that had formally offered him a scholarship. Florida has been at the head of Hester’s pack for some time and that status was cemented by his official visit to campus on May 30.
The Sunshine State product had also made OVs with Auburn (May 16), Syracuse (June 6), UGA (June 13) and Iowa (June 20) before making his decision.
During Hester’s visit to Gainesville, he had an opportunity to rub elbows with defensive backs coach Deron Wilson as well as the head skipper, Billy Napier. The former managed to spend some quality time with the rising high school senior.
“He likes playing the game and stuff,” Wilson told Swamp247. “Getting to know his family, making jokes. And then later, talking about ball and just my strengths and weaknesses, and then how he sees me getting developed here.”
As for the latter, the two spent most of their time together focused on nurturing a personal relationship, rather than one focused on the gridiron.
CJ Hester’s Recruiting Summary
Hester is ranked No. 233 overall and No. 20 at his position nationally according to the 247Sports composite while the On3 industry ranking has him at Nos. 269 and 24, respectively.
“Battle-tested defensive back with natural coverage skills and some alignment flexibility that has produced since he was a freshman for a Cocoa program that has won three-straight state titles,” 247Sports director of recruiting Andrew Ivins begins.
“Verified at just under 6-foot-1 early on in the recruiting process and should eventually carry 195 pounds or more… Has plenty of experience working in off-man situations from an outside posting and does a favorable job of putting himself in position to make plays in the deeper third with his route recognition… Animated as a tackler as he charges towards opponents and tries to unload with force… Not afraid to lower his shoulder and rock a compromised pass catcher, either. Owns promising track and field metrics, but game tape and in-person evaluations suggest that he’s quicker than he is fast,” he continues.
“Projects as a starting-caliber safety at the Power Four level that could also earn snaps on the inside as a nickel defender… Should be a regular on special teams units with his physicality and sound football IQ.”
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