The ninth in a position-by-position look at the 2026 Gators leading up to fall camp:
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TODAY: CORNERBACKS
What to expect
Once home to some of college football’s top cornerbacks, Florida produced three NFL first-rounders at cornerback and four second-rounders from 2016-22. Lately, though, the program has struggled to produce top-flight players at the position.
The Gators do have some intriguing options in 2026.
Cormani McClain and Dijon Johnson have talent and experience, but time is running out on the two veterans to reach their potential as the Gators look to replace Devin Moore, a fourth-round pick in April. He became just the second Florida corner drafted in four years, joining fifth-rounder Jason Marshall Jr. in 2025.
Sophomore Ben Hanks III could surpass both after a strong spring, while 19-year-old sophomore J’Vari Flowers will also demand snaps as he aims to build on a strong close to his freshman season.
The 6-foot-2, 182-pound McClain has the tools and a chip on his shoulder after struggling to live up to his 5-star billing coming out of Lakeland in 2022. He has just two interceptions and two pass breakups in two seasons, but coaches were pleased with his progress during spring practices.
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The 6-foot-1, 204-pound Johnson is a former top-100 recruit who changed his commitment from Ohio State. The Tampa native recorded 27 tackles, two of them for loss, and two pass breakups in 2024. But he suffered a season-ending knee injury during a Sept. 20 loss at Miami and was limited in the spring.
As last season wore on, Flowers saw his role and production increase; his four breakups tied Moore for the most at the position. Meanwhile, Hanks, a redshirt freshman, closed 2025 with a flourish against FSU. He tallied two tackles, two pass breakups and his first career interception, returning it 48 yards against the Seminoles.
UF’s 2026 class features CJ Bronaugh, a top-100 prospect and track star from Windemere, and 4-star cornerback CJ Hester of Cocoa High.
East Carolina transfer Jordy Lowery, a 5-foot-10, 180-pound Bartow native, could also be a factor after recording 23 tackles and four breakups in 2025. Former four-star cornerback Onis Konanbanny, a former Tennessee commitment who flipped to Florida in 2025, has yet to enter the mix.
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Returners
Vincent Brown Jr., redshirt freshman
J’Vari Flowers, sophomore
Ben Hanks III, redshirt freshman
Dijon Johnson, redshirt junior
Onis Konanbanny, redshirt freshman
Cormani McClain, redshirt junior
Javion Toombs, redshirt senior
Departures
Teddy Foster (transfer USF): two tackles
Jamroc Grimsley (transfer Mississippi State)
Arrivals
CJ Bronaugh (freshman, Windermere)
CJ Hester (freshman, Cocoa)
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Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
Tight ends
Offensive line
Interior defensive line
Edge rushers
Linebackers
Edgar Thompson can be reached at [email protected]