Florida football landed another significant piece to its 2025 recruiting class on Friday as four-star cornerback Ben Hanks Jr. from Booker T Washington High in Miami committed to the Florida Gators.
The 6-foot-1, 170-pound Hanks chose Florida over Miami, Louisville, Georgia and Florida State. Per 247Sports composite, Hanks is the 105th-rated prospect and 12th-rated cornerback in the 2025 class.
Hanks established himself as one of the top cover cornerbacks in the 2025 class with 38 tackles, six interceptions (including three pick sixes), a fumble returned for a touchdown and three blocked field goals.
Hanks is the son of former UF linebacker Ben Hanks, who played for the Gators from 1991-95 before going on to a three-year NFL career with the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions.
With the addition of Hanks, UF's 13th commitment, the Florida class jumped to a No. 30 national ranking per 247. Here's a look at the remaining UF commitments for 2025 and 2026:
Florida football 2025 commitments
Jalen Wiggins
Position:Edge rusher
Height/Weight:6-foot-5, 255
School/Hometown:Rickards HS/Tallahassee
Rating:Four-star (per 247 Sports)
The Skinny:Coming off a 2023 HS season that included 31 tackles for loss, 37 QB hurries, 16 sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
Waltez Clark
Position:RB/WR
Height/Weight:6-1, 194
School/Hometown:Plant HS/Tampa
Rating:Four-star (per 247 Sports)
The Skinny:Rushed for 476 yards and 15 TD on 77 carries (6.2 yards per carry) while also catching 22 passes for 358 yards and 4 TD in the 2023 season.
Jeramiah McCloud
Position:DL
Height/Weight:6-3, 280
School/Hometown:Gadsden County HS/Havana
Rating:Three-star (per 247 Sports)
The Skinny:Finished 2023 season with 55 tackles, 14 tackles for loss and 12 sacks to help Gadsden County go 6-5 and make the Florida 2S playoffs.
Micah Jones
Position:TE
Height/Weight:6-5, 245
School/Hometown:Madison Central HS/Madison, Miss.
Rating:Three-star (per 247 Sports)
The Skinny:Finished 2023 season with 168 receiving yards and 1 TD. Per 247Sports composite, Jones is the No. 28 overall tight end and the No. 15 recruit in Mississippi for the Class of 2025.
Chad Gasper
Position:RB
Height/Weight:5-10, 200
School/Hometown:Katy Jordan HS/Fulshear, Texas
Rating:Three-star (per 247 Sports)
The Skinny:Rushed for 300 yards and 2 TDs in nine high school games in 2023, while adding 8 catches for 127 yards.
Hayden Craig
Position:P
Height/Weight:6-2, 190
School/Hometown:Bridgton Academy/Bridgton, Maine
Rating:Three-star (per 247 Sports)
The Skinny:A lefty combo kicker/punter, Craig is the fifth-rated punter in the counter per 247Sports. At the 2024 Kohl's Eastern Showcase Camp for punters and kickers in May, Craig's best punt went for 46 yards, with a hang time of 4.31 seconds.
Joshua Moore
Position:WR
Height/Weight:6-4, 205
School/Hometown:West Broward HS/Pembroke Pines
Rating:Three-star (per 247 Sports)
The Skinny:Moorefinished the 2023 season with 50 catches for 835 yards and 9 TD, helping lead West Broward to the 4M playoffs. Chose UF over offers from Miami, Florida State, Arkansas and Auburn.
Tae'Shaun Gelsey
Position:TE
Height/Weight:6-4, 215
School/Hometown:Riverside HS/Jacksonville
Rating:Three-star (per 247 Sports)
The Skinny:Gelsey caught 48 passes for 859 yards and 9 TDs for Jacksonville Riverside High this past season. Per 247Sports.com composite, he's ranked as the 72nd best high school player in Florida.
Myles Johnson
Position:LB
Height/Weight:6-1, 220
School/Hometown:T.R. Miller HS/Brewton, Ala.
Rating:Three-star (per 247 Sports composite)
The Skinny:Athletic two-way standout who also plays running back, plays basketball and runs track at T.R. Miller High School. Ran at 11.15 seconds as a junior in the 100 meters.
Vernell Brown III
Position:WR
Height/Weight:5-11, 170
School/Hometown:Jones HS/Orlando
Rating:Five-star (per 247 Sports composite)
The Skinny:At Jones High in Orlando last season, Brown caught 70 passes for 1,363 yards and 10 TDwhile returning four kicks (three punts and a kickoff) for TDs. He's the son of former Florida wide receiver/defensive back Vernell Brown Jr. "He's a difference maker," in-state recruiting analyst Larry Bluestein said. "He's an elite kid, one of the top kids in the nation. Gives Florida with Josh Moore two major, major difference makers on offense. Playmaker with speed, extends plays, does everything you want."
Demetres Samuel Jr
Position:S
Height/Weight:6-0, 185
School/Hometown:Hertiage HS/Palm Bay
Rating:Four-star (per 247 Sports composite)
The Skinny: Samuel posted 19 tackles and five interceptions at Heritage High in Palm Bay last season.
Joseph Mbatchau
Position:DL
Height/Weight:6-5, 275
School/Hometown:Grayson HS/Logansville, Ga.
Rating:Three Star
The Skinny: Born in Cameroon, Mbatchau also plays basketball and is considered a late bloomer with high upside based on his athletic ability. Also has offers from Auburn and Texas.
Florida football 2026 commitments
Will Griffin
Position:QB
Height/Weight:6-3, 225
School/Hometown:Jesuit HS/Tampa
Rating:Four-star (per 247 Sports composite)
The Skinny:Griffin passed for 1,653 yards with 18 TDs to 9 interceptions at Jesuit last season. Possesses an ideal QB frame and should continue to develop arm strength throughout his high school and college career.
Jaelen Waters
Position:CB
Height/Weight:6-2, 170
School/Hometown:Armwood HS/Seffner
Rating:Four-star (per 247 Sports composite)
The Skinny:Posted 20 tackles and 6 pass breakups last season at Armwood High in Seffner. Rated as the 16th best cornerback nationally and 30th best player from Florida in the 2026 class, per 247Sports.
Devin Jackson
Position:S
Height/Weight:6-2, 195
School/Hometown:West Orange HS/Orlando
Rating:Three-star (per 247 Sports composite)
The Skinny:Posted 58 tackles, two pass breakups and a fumble recovery in nine games for West Orange last season.
