Turn On The Tape: Florida Gators' Four-Star DB Commit CJ Hester

Four-star defensive back CJ Hester became the second Florida Gators commit in July, adding to an already exciting secondary haul. The Cocoa (Fla.) prospect is the third composite top-20 prospect at his position in Florida’s class and another strong local prospect who will stay in state.

Hester is one of three defensive backs in the class, joining safety Kaiden Hall and corner CJ Bronaugh, and one of two July commits, joining four-star defensive lineman Kendall Guervil.

Florida Gators on SI is tracking all of the Gators' major recruiting news, from commits to prospects of note, on our 2026 Recruiting Tracker.

Let's turn on the tape and see what Hester brings to the Gators.

On Paper

• 6-foot-1, 185 pounds
• Composite four-star, top 250 player in the nation
• Interest from Georgia, Auburn and Syracuse
• 10.97 100-meter and a state-qualifier in high jump
• Junior year stats: 72 tackles, 10 pass breakups, four interceptions
• Spent most time in high school as a corner yet listed as a safety.

The Tape