Florida football is right around the corner, with fall camp set to begin on Aug. 5. Gator Country’s roster preview series continues with a look at the cornerback room. If you missed it, be sure to check out our inside linebacker preview.
The Gators’ cornerback room returns five scholarship players from last year’s roster while adding one transfer and two freshmen. On paper, it’s as talented as any position group on Florida’s roster. Five players were ranked among the top 115 prospects in their respective recruiting classes, including four top-100 recruits. However, the unit lacks experience, and its play has been inconsistent as a whole.
Let’s break it down.
R-Fr. Ben Hanks III
Ben Hanks III appeared in just three games during his true freshman campaign but emerged as a significant contributor over the final two weeks of the season. He logged a career-high 66 snaps in Florida’s win over FSU, where he recorded his first career interception and two pass breakups.
On the season, Hanks III allowed seven receptions for 103 yards and one touchdown on 11 targets across 148 defensive snaps. The Overtown, Florida, native arrived on campus as an undersized cornerback, which I believe limited his opportunities early in his freshman season. While Hanks III still weighs just 185 pounds, he appears to have benefited from a year in the strength and conditioning program.
Sources told Gator Country that Hanks III routinely stood out during spring practices and scrimmages. Head coach Jon Sumrall echoed that sentiment, telling the media that Hanks III has been Florida’s most consistent cornerback in coverage.
For now, Hanks III appears to have as good a chance as anyone to earn a starting cornerback spot.
R-Jr. Cormani McClain
Cormani McClain’s collegiate journey has been a wild ride, and his play on the field has mirrored it. A former five-star recruit and the No. 1 cornerback in the 2023 class, McClain possesses the tools to become one of the SEC’s top defensive backs. The talent has never been in question—it just needs to show up more consistently.
McClain put together the best season of his collegiate career in 2025, allowing 12 receptions for 197 yards and three touchdowns on 21 targets. He appeared in 10 games with six starts, logging 460 snaps. The 6-foot-2, 182-pound cornerback also made significant strides as a tackler, posting a missed tackle rate of just 5%—the best mark among Florida’s defensive backs by a wide margin.
McClain has seemingly found a home at Florida, and the Gators need him to take the next step.
R-Jr. Dijon Johnson
Dijon Johnson’s 2025 campaign was cut short after he suffered a season-ending knee injury against Miami on Sept. 20. Before the injury, Johnson was productive, recording seven tackles and one interception while allowing five receptions for 91 yards on nine targets. Although the sample size was small, Johnson graded as Florida’s best tackler.
Johnson was also productive in coverage in 2024, allowing a completion percentage below 50% when targeted. He surrendered just 149 yards and one touchdown on 29 targets.
The 6-foot-1, 204-pound cornerback was limited throughout spring camp, and Gator Country can confirm he was not a full participant during OTAs this summer. Johnson’s health will be worth monitoring this fall, as he’s Florida’s most experienced and consistent cornerback.
So. J’Vari Flowers
After reclassifying into the 2025 recruiting class, J’Vari Flowers played a key role as a true freshman, appearing in eight games on defense and logging 298 snaps. He recorded 17 tackles and four pass breakups, which ranked second on the team behind Bryce Thornton.
Flowers allowed 11 receptions for 211 yards and two touchdowns on 19 targets. He flashed in the Tennessee and Mississippi State games but struggled against FSU and Ole Miss. Regardless, it was valuable experience for a freshman who could play an even bigger role in 2026.
At 5-foot-10, 186 pounds, Flowers is a twitchy defender who makes up ground quickly with elite open-field speed. Much like the rest of the cornerback room, consistency will be the key for Flowers. He has the talent to emerge as the best player in this group.
Sr. Jordy Lowery
Florida’s lone cornerback addition through the transfer portal was ECU’s Jordy Lowery. In his lone season with the Pirates, Lowery recorded 27 tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and a team-high four pass breakups. In coverage, Lowery allowed 22 receptions for 274 yards and four touchdowns on 32 targets.
Lowery’s strength at ECU was his run defense, which earned a grade of 82.1 from Pro Football Focus. That mark ranked third among ECU defenders and 52nd nationally among cornerbacks.
Prior to his time at East Carolina, the Bartow, Florida, native spent three seasons at Western Carolina under head coach Kerwin Bell, a former Florida quarterback.
After playing a limited role from 2022-23, Lowery broke out during his redshirt sophomore campaign, recording 48 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, eight pass breakups, and six interceptions, including a 92-yard interception return for a touchdown. His eight pass breakups and six interceptions both ranked third in the Southern Conference.
Fr. CJ Bronaugh
CJ Bronaugh was not a full participant during his first spring camp while recovering from a shoulder injury suffered in high school. Bronaugh was often seen working individually off to the side of the practice field or in the weight room.
Listed at 6-foot-0, 163 pounds, Bronaugh faces an uphill battle to see playing time as a freshman, especially after missing valuable reps during spring camp.
Bronaugh is a three-time state champion sprinter, showcasing the elite speed and athleticism that made him a highly regarded prospect.
R-Fr. Onis Konanbanny
Onis Konanbanny did not appear in a game last season after joining Florida’s 2025 recruiting class late in the cycle. Born in London, England, Konanbanny grew up playing soccer before moving to the United States in 2022. He was regarded as a raw prospect coming out of high school, but his frame and athleticism provide plenty of room for development. Konanbanny stands at 6-foot-0, 195 pounds, an 11-pound increase from his freshman year.
Konanbanny intercepted freshman quarterback Will Griffin during the Orange and Blue Spring Game.
Fr. CJ Hester
Florida’s second high school addition was Cocoa, Florida, native CJ Hester, who put together a productive four-year high school career with 188 tackles, seven interceptions, and 24 pass breakups. Hester was a consistent producer throughout his high school career and is a three-time state champion.
The Gators list Hester at 6-foot-0, 193 pounds.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Florida’s cornerback room could feature the tightest competition throughout fall camp, with four players competing for two starting spots: Ben Hanks III, J’Vari Flowers, Dijon Johnson, and Cormani McClain.
On paper, this unit is loaded with talent, but it is also one of the most difficult to project due to its youth and inconsistent production. For now, it’s fair to view this room as the biggest question mark on the defense. Consistency and depth remain the biggest concerns, but the ceiling is extremely high.