Latest news with #Bronaugh
USA Today
20-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Former Nebraska defensive back commit flips to Florida Gators
Former Nebraska defensive back commit flips to Florida Gators Class of 2026 four-star corner CJ Bronaugh decommitted from the Nebraska football program on Tuesday night. On Wednesday, he committed to the Florida Gators. He made the announcement on social media. Bronaugh was the top commitment in the Huskers' 2026 class. The talented corner is ranked the No. 106 overall player in the 2026 class. He is the No. 14 overall corner in the class, and the No. 12 overall player in his class from the state of Florida per the On3 rankings. He originally committed to Nebraska on November 26, 2024. Now, he has a chance to be closer to home. He is currently the highest-rated commitment in the Gators' 2026 class. The 2026 recruiting class has five commitments and ranks near the bottom of the Big Ten recruiting rankings.. The program will look to class over the next couple of days, as things on the recruiting trail begin to heat up, and they may be able to gain some ground. Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes, and opinions.
USA Today
19-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Florida football earns commitment from blue-chip cornerback CJ Bronaugh in 2026 cycle
Florida football earns commitment from blue-chip cornerback CJ Bronaugh in 2026 cycle Another day, another commitment for Florida football. On Wednesday, the Gators added four-star cornerback CJ Bronaugh out of Winter Garden (Florida) Windermere to its 2026 recruiting class with a verbal pledge. The 6-foot-1-inch, 166-pound defender had previously committed to the Nebraska Cornhuskers — whom he had pledged to back in November — but recently de-committed, opening the door for Billy Napier and Co. to swoop in and snatch the talent. Bronaugh holds 26 total offers with the Florida State Seminoles also in the mix, as well as the Penn State Nittany Lions and Missouri Tigers. He made an official visit in Gainesville back on May 30, followed by a trip to Lincoln for an OV with the Huskers and one in Tallahassee last weekend with FSU. Alas, the Orange and Blue prevailed... for now, at least. CJ Bonaugh's relationship with Florida football "I really like the culture that Florida has," Bronaugh previously told Swamp247. "The school is in a good area, has good facilities and is in the SEC." Defensive backs' coach Deron Wilson has spearheaded the efforts to get the Central Florida product into the Swamp, as well as Napier. Their approach is the same that has been seen across the program's recruiting efforts over the past few years, which focuses on fostering close relationships with the young prospects. "Since Coach Wilson has gotten to Florida, he's been hitting me up a lot to let me know I'm important to him... He's a really good person. If you put coaching to the side, he's just a really good dude to spend time around," Bronaugh notes. "Coach Napier is even talking with me and my family a lot... they are definitely showing they want me." CJ Bronaugh's Recruiting Summary Bronough is ranked No. 99 overall and No. 12 at his position nationally according to the 247Sports composite while the On3 industry ranking has him at Nos. 106 and 14, respectively. "Ascending defensive back prospect with some of the best speed markers in the class," 247Sports director of scouting Andrew Ivins begins. "Hasn't faced the stiffest competition to date, but turned heads spring before senior year at an Under Armour Next Camp in Orlando where he not only tested off the charts, but also locked down one side of the field in coverage. Meets key length thresholds as he has been verified at over 6 feet and is equipped with some additional length in the arms. "Straight-line burst and sideline-to-sideline range is optimal for a single or two-high safety role, but warrants a look at corner as he will fight for positioning out on the perimeter and has the agility to mirror most weapons. Not afraid to take risks and jump routes, which led to three pick-sixes as a junior. "Serviceable as an open-field tackler on Fridays, but improved play strength would go a long way on Saturdays, especially if he's going to be asked to fit corridors. Will need to soak up coaching and keep perfecting his craft, but should be viewed as a traits-heavy secondary player that could emerge as a bonafide playmaker for a Power Four program with his frame and acceleration." Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
Time of India
19-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Why Nebraska struggles to hold elite defensive backs in 2026 class
Why Nebraska struggles to hold elite defensive backs in 2026 class (Image Source: Cornerback CJ Bronaugh, a four-star recruit, decommitted on Tuesday evening, and it is a devastating blow to the Nebraska Cornhuskers football program because the staff of the new football coach, Matt Rhule, will have to go out of its way to land top-notch defensive talent. Bronaugh, who was the tenth-best cornerback in the Class of 2026 nationally, had committed to the Nebraska Cornhuskers in November 2024, after his first visit to Lincoln. The move by the Florida native to reopen his recruitment highlights the fact that Nebraska is having to fight to continue to recruit against the traditional powers and especially those in talent-heavy recruiting grounds such as Florida and the Southeast. Timeline reveals Nebraska Cornhuskers' recruiting missteps with CJ Bronaugh At first, it seemed like the Nebraska Cornhuskers were doing a good job by securing the commitment of CJ Bronaugh in November 2024, as they took advantage of an early offer to Bronaugh during his breakout junior year, in which he amassed six interceptions. But it turned sour when the national profile of Bronaugh rose due to his track and field accomplishments with victories in the Florida State championships in the 100-meter and 200-meter dash races. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Windermere High School standout also captured defensive back MVP honors at the Under Armour Next Camp in Orlando, and his recruitment has been broadened tremendously. Even though Bronaugh had committed to the Nebraska Cornhuskers, he planned official visits to several schools, such as the University of Florida, Florida State University and Pennsylvania State University. His weekend visit to Florida State University in Tallahassee was especially influential, and on Tuesday, he made a surprise mid-week trip back to the University of Florida. According to sources, he is now focused on these two in-state programs, indicating that Nebraska's geographical disadvantage was too much to overcome. Matt Rhule's Nebraska Cornhuskers face broader recruiting challenges beyond CJ Bronaugh's loss The loss of CJ Bronaugh is not just a personal recruiting setback to the Nebraska Cornhuskers, but it also accentuates the underlying issues in the program-building process spearheaded by Matt Rhule. This decommitment leaves Nebraska with only five commits in the 2026 recruiting class, and none of them are four-star recruits as ranked by the big recruiting services. The class is currently 67th in the country and 18th in the Big Ten Conference, which is an indication of how difficult a task Nebraska has in that regard, as it competes against traditional recruiting forces. To make it even worse, the Nebraska Cornhuskers have lost four-star running back DeZephen Walker to the University of Oklahoma, who pledged to the Sooners just a few days before his official visit to Lincoln. Such losses are in addition to the increased performance on the field in 2024 when Nebraska had its first bowl appearance since 2016 and won its first postseason game since 2015. Nebraska Cornhuskers are not out of hope yet as there are still targets on their radar, like Florida State University commit Tedarius Hughes, who will be at Lincoln this week as a possible flip candidate. Four-star prospects Danny Odem and Devin Jackson are also slated to visit this weekend, and it will be a chance to show off the recruiting abilities of the Matt Rhule staff. Also Read: College football star LaNorris Sellers ignores $8M transfer deal to stay at South Carolina The CJ Bronaugh decommitment is an ugly reminder that Nebraska has a long way to go before being a national power again because it must win its recruiting battles on a regular basis against historically and geographically advantaged teams. In his third season, Matt Rhule understands that recruiting high-quality talent such as Bronaugh is the key to achieving long-term success, and recruiting weekends in the future hold greater importance to the future of the program. Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Florida Spotlight: Five biggest June recruiting visits
Nick Lucero/ June has become arguably the most important month in the recruiting calendar, with prospects crisscrossing the country on official visits and lining up announcement dates. Rivals national recruiting analyst John Garcia Jr. looks at five Sunshine State prospects who are taking key visits this month. Advertisement BIG RECRUITING WEEKEND AHEAD: Top storylines | Five biggest Southeast visits in June | Biggest Midwest visits CLASS OF 2026 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State CLASS OF 2027 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State TRANSFER PORTAL: Full coverage | Player ranking | Team ranking | Transfer search | Transfer Tracker RIVALS CAMP SERIES: Rivals Five-Star heading back to Indy | Rivals Five-Star roster | Schedule/info CJ BRONAUGH - Nebraska, June 6 One of the nation's fastest prospects and fastest risers this spring, Bronaugh has been committed to Nebraska since the fall and has always confirmed a solidity to the Cornhuskers despite adding plenty of offers and taking previous visits to other programs. Advertisement In that time, however, Florida has emerged as arguably the top contender to NU and the Gators are fresh off of hosting the top-100 in-state star. By all indications, including from Bronaugh himself, the trip went well and Billy Napier spent considerable time with the defensive back while in town. Nebraska has long held the ball in its court, but it feels more literal right now, as Bronaugh is scheduled to return to Lincoln this weekend. Matt Rhule and company have a chance to reiterate elements that led to the two-sport star picking the program in the first place, mainly a tangible belief that preceded the more high-profile programs now on his list. Florida State, Penn State and others are working to jump to the top of the list with Bronaugh, and official visits are still to be taken, but Florida and Nebraska back to back feels like a tale of a top two at this stage of the game. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH NEBRASKA FANS AT DERREK COOPER - Georgia, June 13 The five-star running back heads to Alabama this weekend and while there is considerable interest both ways, it would project as a major surprise should the South Floridian end up in Tuscaloosa for good. His next scheduled trip, however, could not bring on the same reaction by any stretch. Advertisement Cooper is expected at Georgia beginning June 13, the first time in Athens since he celebrated his birthday there in the spring. Also a one-time Bulldog commitment, however brief it was, there is plenty of love from the Cooper camp and the Bulldog program. For the last year or so since that quick commitment and reset, Georgia looked like the most likely program to bring Cooper in when it counted most. Miami has closed that gap better than most others with the local recruit, and he is fresh off of a detailed return to campus for an official visit. Since even before that point, confidence in him potentially staying home for college has increased, so it's only been reinforced with the official visit in the books. Even if that is the case, Georgia's culture, tradition and sale of development is a tough pitch to overlook, something Cooper has all but admitted at different points in the recruiting process. If UGA has a chance to swing momentum back its way, next weekend will play a critical part. Advertisement SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH GEORGIA FANS AT KENDALL GUERVIL - Texas, June 20 The combination of how relatively quiet the big man has been through the recruiting process and how coveted he is within a not-so-strong defensive tackle class nationally has made every recent step of this one interesting. Guervil was at Florida State last weekend and admitted the Seminoles came from the back-end of his list all the way near the top. Florida, Georgia and Texas have occupied those coveted spots to this point, so a return to Austin for the last official visit of the month of June seems like a key trip if a preseason decision continues to be under consideration. Advertisement SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH TEXAS FANS AT DANNY ODEM - Ohio State, June 13 When Odem picked up the Ohio State offer, a lot of movement was created nearly instantly. The Buckeyes pushed out a Florida official visit for mid-June and the intrigue to get up to Columbus plays as a legitimate wrinkle in the plans of one of the nation's fastest-rising recruits. Odem was at Clemson last weekend and the Tigers look like a major contender for the Orlando-area standout at the moment, and that trip was put together without much time. OSU will be in the thick of the race to try and close that gap along with Penn State, Nebraska and Oklahoma in the coming weeks. Advertisement SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH OHIO STATE FANS AT IZAYIA WILLIAMS - Ole Miss, June 6 One of the most athletic and coveted recruits in the class is set to return to the campus he is currently committed to. On the surface, it doesn't appear to be a big deal, but considering Williams has been committed to a handful of different programs to date, every trip he works in should be under higher consideration than conventional thought. We hear this will be Williams' parents first time at Ole Miss, too, which could prove critical should Lane Kiffin and company hold on to the Floridian fresh off of a strong official visit to Georgia and ahead of potential trips to Florida State, Florida and Texas in the future. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH OLE MISS FANS AT
USA Today
13-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Nebraska defensive back commit wins Florida 100-meter dash championship
Nebraska defensive back commit wins Florida 100-meter dash championship A Nebraska football class of 2026 commit won an individual state track championship over the weekend. Cornerback CJ Bronaugh won the 100-meter dash in the state of Florida's Class 4A Championship with a time of 10.34 seconds. Bronaugh is a four-star defensive back out of Winter Garden, Florida. He will take an official visit to Nebraska on June 6. He will also visit the Florida Gators the weekend of May 30, the Florida State Seminoles on June 13, and an official visit set with the Penn State Nittany Lions on June 20. He has been committed to Nebraska since November 26. According to 247Sports, he is the nation's No. 7-ranked cornerback, No. 9-ranked prospect in the state of Florida, and the No. 98-ranked overall prospect. Nebraska has remained in constant contact with Bronaugh, even after his commitment. On May 1, defensive coordinator John Butler and defensive backs coach Addison Williams had an in-home visit with the four-star cornerback. Matt Rhule has placed an emphasis on recruiting speed and the commitment of Bronaugh is another example of that dedication. While other schools may be working to flip the defensive back, expect Nebraska to put up a fight. The race GBR! Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes, and opinions.
