Miami among top schools standing out to 4-star Florida legacy

Miami (Fla.) Booker T. Washington 2025 four-star cornerback Ben Hanks Jr. may be a Florida legacy, but that hasn’t stopped the Hurricanes from solidifying themselves as a major contender for the No. 170 overall prospect in the On3 Industry Ranking.

Hanks Jr. is the son of former Florida All-SEC linebacker Ben Hanks, who helped the Gators win three SEC Championships in the 1990s, and he blossomed into a national recruiting target in 2022 with more than 20 offers from programs ranging from Alabama to USC. As of now programs standing out to the 6-2 cornerback are Miami, Florida and Georgia.

“They’re some of the schools that are texting me every day,” Hanks said. “They’re basically just keeping the relationships tight, getting to know me more.”

Hanks was surprised by Miami secondary coach Jahmile Addae’s decision to accept a position with the Buffalo Bills, but has stayed in contact with head coach Mario Cristobal while Miami has worked to finalize a deal with new defensive backs coach Chevis Jordan (an expected hire CaneSport reported Saturday). Hanks said he and Cristobal haven’t talked about the expected new defensive backs coach yet, but he’s looking forward to getting in touch once Miami formally announces the expected new hire.

“The situation with coach Addae going to (the NFL) was great for him and his family,” Hanks said. “But that doesn’t mean anything about our relationship with Miami.”

Hanks said Miami’s coaching staff and his relationships in Coral Gables are keeping the Hurricanes a strong contender, and he’s been consistently impressed with the Hurricanes when he’s made trips to South Florida. Hanks is having daily contact with Miami’s staff and received an in-school visit from the Hurricanes during the January contact period.

Hanks said he hopes to visit Miami, Florida, Florida State, Louisville and Georgia this spring but has not firmly locked in dates with any of the five programs. He hasn’t yet considered which schools he’d like to take official visits to or decided to name a firm leader, although he’s roughly shooting to commit before his senior year. Hanks added he wants to take his recruitment slow and isn’t in a hurry to make any decisions.

CaneSport’s Take

Miami has been in the mix for Hanks from the jump and has done an excellent job recruiting him early on, but don’t expect Georgia and Florida to go away anytime soon. I expect this race to be tight for awhile as schools continue to jockey for position.

The post Miami among top schools standing out to 4-star Florida legacy appeared first on On3.