Gators surge with UF legacy Ben Hanks Jr.

The Florida Gators hoped to make a significant move this weekend with Miami (Fla.) Booker T. Washington 4-star cornerback Ben Hanks Jr. during his official visit to Gainesville and it appears they have done it.

“As soon as I got there, I immediately got so much love from the staff,” Hanks told On3’s Chad Simmons. “I definitely felt like a priority there. The love I got from the coaches stood out and Florida definitely made a big jump on my list.”

Hanks was joined on the visit by multiple family members, including his father, former Florida linebacker Ben Hanks. While with the Gators, Hanks wore Florida’s famed No. 11 jersey. It had been worn by 1966 Heisman Trophy winner Steve Spurrier and was later retired. But when Spurrier was Florida’s coach, he un-retired the number and gave it to Hanks.

Ben Hanks Jr. is a huge Florida Gators target at corner

Saturday night in Gainesville, recruits ate dinner at Spurrier’s Gridiron Grille. There, Hanks and his father connected with Spurrier. The younger Hanks posted of photo of the three on X, the app formerly known as Twitter, which excited many in Gator Nation.

Hanks is the No. 11 corner and No. 93 overall recruit nationally in the On3 Industry Rankings. Entering his official visit, some viewed Miami as the favorite.

Florida worked hard to sway him.

“Their message to me was, you bleed orange and blue, so let’s make this happen,” Hanks told On3. “The coaches let me know how I could be a big factor in their defense and it was a great visit. I am definitely going back.”

Hanks told Simmons he plans to commit “before the season.”

Trusted sources told Gators Online late Saturday night and again Sunday the Florida staff believes it “moved the needle” some in Hanks’ recruitment this weekend.

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