CJ Hester, a 2026 four-star defensive back, went off the board on Thursday. Unfortunately for Syracuse football fans, he didn't choose the 'Cuse.
The 6-foot-2, 185-pound Hester, a state champ in the Sunshine State as a junior, has verbally committed to an in-state school, the Florida Gators out of the Southeastern Conference, according to media reports.
A huge congrats to CJ! I'll be curious to see if Orange head coach Fran Brown and his top-flight staff continue to pursue Hester, as the early signing period for 2026 prospects is still a few months away.
Hester, a top-125 national prospect in his class per On3, is a standout at Cocoa High School in Cocoa, Fla., which in the 2024 campaign captured a state title. Per 247Sports, in 2024, Hester tallied 72 total tackles, 10 pass breakups, three interceptions, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
Even with missing out on him, the 'Cuse coaching has fared quite well recruiting the Sunshine State across its 2025, 2026 and 2027 classes.
Syracuse football missed out on 2026 4-star DB CJ Hester.
Earlier this year, Hester disclosed a final six of the 'Cuse, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Iowa and Miami. Last month, he took an official visit to Syracuse football, and Hester said in interviews that his trip to Central New York went quite well.
Still, for a sizable period of time, Florida had buzz for Hester among recruiting analysts. More recently, following official visits to both Iowa and Georgia, insiders indicated that those two schools would likely prove the biggest threats to the Gators prevailing, but ultimately, Florida won out for Hester.
At this juncture, the Orange's 2026 class includes 25 verbal pledges, including several three-star defensive backs, in a cycle that's No. 27 nationally, per the industry-generated 247Sports Composite.
This Saturday, July 5, two other Syracuse football 2026 priority targets will make their college decisions known. They are five-star wide receiver Calvin Russell lll of state champ Miami Northwestern Senior High School, and three-star tight end Julius Miles of Freeport High School in Freeport, Fla.
Russell, who also holds a Syracuse basketball offer, is down to Syracuse football, Oregon, Florida State and Michigan. Miles has a final three of the 'Cuse, Louisville and FSU.