Florida’s improvement on defense midway through the season didn’t just win the Gators football games, but it landed them three top 100 defensive backs in Ben Hanks Jr., Hylton Stubbs and Lagonza Hayward. Florida’s secondary recorded 11 interceptions and 45 passes defended this season, their most since the Gators recorded 16 interceptions in 2019 and 53 passes defended in 2018.
CB Ben Hanks Jr.
Arguably the biggest save for the Gators in the 2025 cycle was being able to get a signature from 4-star CB Ben Hanks Jr. The Miami native has recorded 113 total tackles (75 solo), 11 passes defended, 4 fumble recoveries and one forced fumble in his career. Hanks has also hauled in a total of 21 interceptions in his high school career, 13 of those came from his senior season alone to break a Miami-Dade County single-season record.
With players like Jason Marshall Jr., Ja’Keem Jackson and possibly others graduating or transferring, landing an elite player like Ben Hanks Jr. was crucial for the Gators’ secondary.
The 6-1, 170-pound defensive back was the No. 76 overall player in the country and No. 11 cornerback in the Class of 2025, according to 247Sports composite rankings.
“This definitely helps me out just because of my game and me being a ball hawk, I think that will transfer over when I get to college. So, them doing what they are doing just pushes me even harder to be great and stay locked in with Florida,” Banks said after Florida’s defensive performance against Ole Miss.
The multi-sport athlete participated in baseball at the prep level and also ran track in high school, where he became a district champion in the 400-meter dash as a junior and led his 4×100 squad to a 3rd place finish at Florida’s 2A state meet for Booker T. Washington High School. I expect Ben Hanks Jr. to play very early on in his career as a true freshman.
S Hylton Stubbs
The Gators could’ve given up on recruiting 4-star safety Hylton Stubbs after two different commitments to USC and Miami, but Will Harris and Florida’s staff didn’t let go and it paid off in a huge way for Florida’s future in the secondary. The 6-1, 190-pound safety recorded 286 total tackles (198 solo), 22.5 tackles for loss, 11 passes defended, 12 interceptions, 3.5 sacks, 5 forced fumbles and 4 fumble recoveries in 45 games played in his high school career.
The biggest thing for Stubbs in his recruitment was to see progress, and that’s exactly what he saw from the Florida Gators this season. After three-straight wins to close out the year (two against ranked opponents), Stubbs proved he was serious about what he said in the summer.
“A lot, a lot. I went to practice, and I like what they are doing at practice. That’s really the big thing right now, that’s really the most important thing for me is how the season is going to look,” Stubbs said back in June. “It’s not a win or lose sort of thing, it’s about progress and seeing how good they’ve grown over the last couple years.”
Stubbs was the No. 57 overall prospect and No. 5 safety in the Class of 2025, according to 247Sports composite rankings. With multiple players in the secondary leaving the program, Florida’s secondary looks extremely young but very promising at the same time heading into next season. Anything can happen next year in the back end for the Gators, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the Mandarin star found himself getting a share of snaps in 2025.
S Lagonza Hayward
4-star safety Lagonza Hayward was another player that gave Florida a second look after the Gators won three-straight games to end the season. The former Tennessee commit solidified two top 10 safety additions for the Gators in the 2025 cycle as the No. 72 overall prospect and No. 9 safety in the Class of 2025, according to 247Sports composite rankings.
“Good player, man. Really good player,” Napier said on Hayward. “Plays both ways. Plays returner. Incredible program. Still playing. Playing this week. It’s a tough place. They lift weights. They practice the right way. They’ve had success. It’s a winning program. He’s the leader. So, three hours away, in our footprint. Obviously, we got him on campus a number of times back in the spring and summer. Came up a little short. Just another one of those guys that we were able to get on campus here the last couple weeks. In his heart he knew he wanted to be here, so… You got to continue to chip away at these guys that you maybe finish second or third on. You can turn it around if you play well.”
The 6-1, 200-pound safety recorded 145 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 17 passes defended, 9 interceptions, 4 fumble recoveries and 2 forced fumbles in 46 games played at Toombs County High School. Hayward, who ran track and played basketball in high school committed to the Gators over the Georgia Bulldogs on signing day. I also think the Georgia native has a huge opportunity to see the field next season. Hayward is a player with great speed for his size, which is something the Gators haven’t had in quite some time at the safety position.