Florida signed Booker T. Washington (Miami) cornerback [autotag]Ben Hanks Jr[/autotag]. at 11 a.m. ET on Wednesday, the first day of the early signing period.
Hanks is a top-100 ranked recruit from the class of 2025 who committed to the Gators on Aug. 16 over Miami and Louisville. The Hurricanes continued to push for him after his commitment and had many convinced he would flip, but Florida’s strong finish and public backing of Billy Napier helped lock him up.
The 6-foot-1-inch, 170-pound defensive back recently broke the Miami-Dade County record for most interceptions in a season with 12, demonstrating an advanced approach to the position heading into the next level. Hanks possesses good speed, clocking an 11.04-second 100-meter dash, a 22.18 in the 200 and a 49.28 in the 400. There’s lockdown man-coverage potential here.
Hanks is a legacy commit. His father, Ben Hanks Sr., played linebacker at Florida from 1992-95 and played two seasons in the NFL with the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions. Hanks’ sister is also headed to Florida to play volleyball.
Recruiting Summary
Hanks is a consensus four-star recruit, ranked the highest by On3 at No. 52 overall in the site’s standalone list. The 247Sports composite, which considers all four major recruiting services, has him at No. 76 nationally and No. 11 among cornerbacks in the class of 2025, while the On3 industry ranking puts him at Nos. 69 and 11, respectively.
“Long-limbed, reactionary athlete that has proven to be a ballhawk out on the perimeter while facing speedy Miami-based competition,” 247Sports director of scouting Andrew Ivins wrote in a June report.
“Tested in the upper percentile spring before senior season, positing a sub 4.5-second effort in the 40-yard dash. Also won a district championship in the 400-meter dash as a junior. Comfortable in 1-on-1 situations and has experience working out of both press-man and off-man coverage.
“Fluid midline allows him to mirror with his hips and maintain phase. Some additional mass, however, would make him much more effective as a bump-and-run defender. Likes to cheat with his eyes and isn’t afraid to take a risk in hopes of producing a turnover.
“Should be viewed as a potential multi-year starter at the Power Four level that can duke it out with large and fast wide receivers. Likely going to need some time to adjust to the college game and get the body right, but has the tools teams covet in an outside corner these days with his length (has a near 6-foot-5 wingspan), foot speed and ball skills as he constantly finds ways to get to the catch point.”
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