Billy Napier's Florida lands commitment from four-star CB Ben Hanks Jr. to the class of 2025

Four-star cornerback Ben Hanks Jr., from Booker T. Washington High School, Florida, has committed to Florida's 2025 class. He chose the Gators over Louisville and Miami, who were also on his list of top three schools.

Miami appeared to be the frontrunner in Hanks' recruitment, but multiple visits to coach Billy Napier's Florida this summer shifted his focus to the Gators. Before this commitment, he received two crystal ball predictions on 247Sports and six from On3 since last month, all pointing towards Florida.

“It was a tough decision, but at the end of the day, it was Florida,” Hanks said ( via On3). “I liked Georgia a lot early. When I saw their practice, and what they are about, it was great."

The 6-foot-1, 170-pound prospect is the 13th commit in Florida's 2025 class, which is ranked No. 20 in the nation and No. 10 in the SEC per On3 Industry rankings. He is Florida's first defensive back commitment in this class and its second-highest-rated recruit overall.

“I believe in Coach Napier," Hanks said. "He definitely can bring Florida back. We are getting players and the staff is working hard to get Florida back to the top.”

Ben Hanks Jr. is the son of former Gators linebacker Ben Hanks Sr., an All-SEC player who helped Florida secure three conference titles in the 1990s. His cousin, Treon Harris, also has ties to the school, making this commitment feel like a homecoming for him.

Ben Hanks Jr.'s athletic profile

Ben Hanks Jr. has excelled in both press-man and off-man coverage. Andrew Ivins, the Director of Scouting at 247 Sports, has noted the prospect as a potential multi-year starter at the Power Five level. His skills are well-suited for matching up against large and fast wide receivers.

During his junior season in 2023, Hanks recorded 38 tackles, six interceptions, and three blocked field goals, earning him the All-Dade 2M-1M selection by the Miami Herald. As a sophomore, he recorded 31 tackles, eight pass breakups, and three interceptions, helping lead Booker T. Washington to a berth in Florida’s 2M playoffs.

The cornerback is also a multi-sport athlete who runs track and has played baseball at the prep level. In track, he was a district champion in the 400-meter dash as a junior, with top times of 11.04 seconds in the 100, 22.18 seconds in the 200 and 49.28 seconds in the 400.

Ben Hanks Jr. is ranked as the No. 72 overall prospect in the nation, the No. 10 cornerback in the 2025 class and the No. 12 recruit in Florida, per On3. 247 Sports ranks him as the No. 81 overall prospect nationally, the No. 10 cornerback in the class, and the No. 14 recruit in Florida.