On July 3, 2025, standout Cocoa High School product CJ Hester officially reaffirmed his pledge to the Florida Gators, becoming the first defensive back commit in UF’s 2026 class. Standing 6-foot-1 and weighing in at 185 pounds, Hester entered the spotlight as a versatile four-star safety and cornerback, ranked No. 20 nationally at safety and No. 233 overall in the 247Sports Composite .
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🐊 A Homegrown Talent with Deep Florida Roots
Hester’s reaffirmation surprised few. An in-state favorite, he visited Florida five times—March, May, and several summer weekends—highlighting the reciprocal commitment between the Gators and their elite recruit . His bond with the coaching staff is particularly strong: secondary coach Will Harris, head coach Billy Napier, and cornerbacks coach Deron Wilson are said to be “my dudes” according to Hester, who praised their infectious energy and defensive vision .
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Timeline & Decision Shift
Initially expected to commit July 1, Hester surprised recruiters by delaying until July 3, providing ample time to weigh last-minute factors . In the past month, he entertained official visits to Auburn (May 16), Syracuse (June 6), Georgia (June 13), and Iowa (June 20), while circumventing Miami-style weather and culture differences with an unofficial visit on June 19 . Despite strong suitors, Florida retained a dominant recruiting edge, with Florida holding a 95–96% probability per On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine .
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Skill Set & On‑Field Value
Cocoa High’s utility player emerged as a defensive cornerstone during his junior season, tallying 72 tackles, 10 passes defended, 3 interceptions, a forced fumble and a sack en route to three consecutive state titles . His multifaceted athletic profile is equally glowing: a personal best of 10.97 seconds in the 100m sprint, a 6‑3½ high jump, and versatility across safety and corner positions, all backed up by playoff performance .
247Sports’ evaluation confirms his adaptability: “battle‑tested defensive back with natural coverage skills and alignment flexibility,” “sound football IQ,” and a physique projecting to 195 pounds, ideal for nickel or safety roles . On3’s profile echoes the sentiment: “Just the relationship I have with them… I talk to them almost every day… they make me feel like a priority” .
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Boosting Florida’s 2026 Recruiting Momentum
Hester becomes UF’s first defensive back commit for 2026, a significant win following rebounding success under Coach Napier’s recruiting vision . He is the 16th commit overall and third defensive back, joining Kaiden Hall and CJ Bronaugh in assembling a dynamic secondary .
His decision elevated Florida’s national ranking to No. 15 and SEC standing to No. 6 in 247Sports Composite, plugging a key hole in the class and adding unique homegrown versatility . Notably, momentum continues with upcoming pledges from defensive tackle Kendall Guervil and cornerback Heze Kent, further enhancing UF’s balance .
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Why Florida? Coaching, Culture & NIL
Central to Hester’s decision was the alignment with Florida’s culture and staff. He’s described UF’s atmosphere as family-like, with student energy, NIL support, and academic investment complementing coaching effort . After meeting Deron Wilson’s children on his official visit, Hester noted the tangible bonds formed and felt UF offered a blueprint for early field contribution .
Prospects of NIL deals, strong educational backing, and the program’s visible investment in his growth formed key tiebreakers compared to national rivals Georgia, Syracuse, Auburn, Iowa, and Miami .
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Looking Ahead: The Impact in the Swamp
Hester offers UF flexibility across the secondary—able to lock down deep zones, contribute nickel presence, and bolster special teams from day one. His high ceiling and defensive intelligence could set him up as a future starter, particularly in pass coverage or hybrid roles .
Florida’s defensive back shortages—stemming from early 2025 departures—now have a midterm remedy with Hester onboard . His commitment sends a clear message to other in-state talent: top prospects can develop, start early, and thrive in the Swamp.
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A Home-State Win & Recruiting Signal
Hester’s reaffirmation is more than just adding another four-star recruit. It verifies Florida’s strategy of hunting in-state while warding off national poaching. Analysts now believe UF has firmed its advantage in Florida’s pipeline .
On3’s Chad Simmons reflects it best: “Florida remains the team to beat,” even as Syracuse and Georgia mount late efforts . Coach Napier and his staff now hold firm control of their narrative going forward, with Hester’s pledge confirming they’re no longer just a possibility—they’re prime destination for elite Florida talent.
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In short, Hester’s reaffirmation is a dual win: a high-upside player joining a growing secondary and a message to the recruiting world that Florida is the place to be for in-state defensive standouts. With his pledge in the Swamp, the Gators not only bolster their roster—they revive their home-state dominance.