A flip attempt for a major local recruit has failed for Miami
The bad vibes kept coming for the Miami Hurricanes on National Signing Day when Miami (FL) Booker T. Washington 4-star CB Ben Hanks Jr. signed with the Florida Gators.
.@BTW_SHS @benhanks_ now official with the #Gators @HeraldSports pic.twitter.com/pWzpl6gUom
— Andre Fernandez (@FernandezAndreC) December 4, 2024
A standout 6’1” corner, Hanks Jr. is among the best players in the country at his position. And, when you consider the fact that Miami has a DESPERATE need to improve the back end of the defense, missing out on a player of Hanks Jr’s caliber is a big, big blow.
Despite his commitment to Florida, and the fact that he’s a UF legacy — his father Ben Sr. played linebacker for the Gators — Miami pushed hard through the 2024 season to flip Hanks Jr’s commitment to the hometown Canes. Those efforts were proven futile, however, as Hanks Jr. decided to stick with the family legacy and signed with the Gators moments ago.
For Miami, this continues the trend of missing on elite defensive backs, something that has plagued this program for years. You know the names on this list well: Patrick Peterson (then Johnson). Tarvarus McFadden. Pat Surtain II. Tyson Campbell. The Wilson brothers, Quincy and Marco. Asante Samuel Jr. Earl Little Jr. And more. And now, you can add Ben Hanks Jr. to that list.
I’ll call it like it is: this is another huge miss for Miami on the recruiting trail. The fact that it’s a head to head recruiting loss to the rival Gators adds insult to injury, for sure.
More to come on Miami recruiting through the Early Signing Period and National Signing Day in February.
Go Canes