Florida Leads Pack for Top 2026 Defender
Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier comes into 2025 on the backs of an 8-5 season, which was his first winning record since taking the job in 2022.
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Recruits are beginning to sense Florida's momentum, including four-star cornerback CJ Hester. On3's Chad Simmons reported that the Gators are continuing to trend for the prospect on Monday.
Florida is also making moves with a pair of defensive linemen from the 2026 class. The Gators were a finalist for four-star defensive lineman Preston Carey and were predicted to land four-star defensive lineman Kendall Guervil.
Hester is a native of Cocoa, Florida, and listed at 6-foot-1, 175 pounds.
Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier.© Melina Myers-Imagn Images
Hester is the No. 24 cornerback in the On3 Industry Rankings for the 2026 class.
Florida is the clear favorite in the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine, with a 95.9% chance to land him.
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The next closest schools are the Syracuse Orange (1.3%), the Georgia Bulldogs (<1%), the Auburn Tigers (<1%), and the Iowa Hawkeyes (<1%).
Florida has visited with Hester the most out of any team during his recruitment. The Gators recently had their fifth, which was an official visit back on May 30.
The Gators would have two cornerbacks committed from the 2026 class if Hester picks his in-state school. Florida's 2026 class is led by four-star CJ Bronaugh, four-star defensive lineman JaReylan McCoy and four-star receiver Marquez Daniel.
Napier has taken Florida to a pair of bowl games since his first season. In 2022, the Gators faced the Oregon State Beavers in the Las Vegas Bowl and lost 30-3.
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He earned his first bowl win last season by beating Tulane 33-8 in the Gasparilla Bowl.
Florida opens the 2025 season against Long Island on August 30.
Related: Florida Gaining Ground With No. 1 OT Recruit
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
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