Class of 2026 DB CJ Hester (FL) Verbal to Florida

[JarHeadJim]

4-star cornerback recruit set to make college decision this week. Who is Syracuse’s competition?

Cocoa High School (Florida) senior CJ Hester will choose between Syracuse, Florida State, Florida, Auburn, Georgia and Iowa this week.

www.syracuse.com

His mom apparently lives in Rochester.

That doesn't seem to help us much lately.

 

[cardiac]

Having mom onboard is always a huge plus. Not a guarantee but it helps. And if it doesn’t work out at destination number one, it plays a bigger role in the portal.

We had Hamptons Mom on our side but just didn’t work out. I’d be impressed and surprised if we pull him out of florida

 

[PhatOrange]

We had Hamptons Mom on our side but just didn’t work out. I’d be impressed and surprised if we pull him out of florida

In my opinion it's different for kids that grow up in upstate New York. The pull to get out and see the world to play under the bright lights is bigger than staying home.

 

[Orangefizz]

In my opinion it's different for kids that grow up in upstate New York. The pull to get out and see the world to play under the bright lights is bigger than staying home.

Haha $$$$

 

[JarHeadJim]

 

[cuse702]

If he picks Florida or Georgia, He'll be here as a redshirt Freshman transfer in 2027.

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

In my opinion it's different for kids that grow up in upstate New York. The pull to get out and see the world to play under the bright lights is bigger than staying home.

I am 3 for 4 in convincing my kids to leave this place. They will never come back. The other one was gone, but a bad, bad breakup brought her home. I will feel bad for her when my wife and I leave.

 

[GoCuse14]

I am 3 for 4 in convincing my kids to leave this place. They will never come back. The other one was gone, but a bad, bad breakup brought her home. I will feel bad for her when my wife and I leave.

I love coming back to NY to visit...Iowa is such a better place to live for me.


Really hoping Hester is Orange when it is all said and done.

 

[Cusester]

I am 3 for 4 in convincing my kids to leave this place. They will never come back. The other one was gone, but a bad, bad breakup brought her home. I will feel bad for her when my wife and I leave.

I hear from RutgersAl that Piscataway is a wonderful place. Maybe you'd be more comfortable there.

 

[UnknownOrange]

I love coming back to NY to visit...Iowa is such a better place to live for me.


Really hoping Hester is Orange when it is all said and done.

Is this heaven?



but seriously I would LOVE a syracusefan map of where the hell you people are. Don't we have a Philippines guy?

 

[Cuse12]

If he picks Florida or Georgia, He'll be here as a redshirt Freshman transfer in 2027.

I truly don’t sweat losing recruits out of HS these days. When they sign to go to wherever their freshman year, I would say 50/50 chance these days they transfer? Maybe 40/60. But it’s pretty common. I know for a “fact” there will be a few recruits we just missed out on in the 2026 class that will suit up for the orange at some point in their college careers. I just sit back and enjoy it all, don’t sweat the losses, and wait to see how things shake out yearly. It makes recruiting more fun then ever, because the doors are never closed.

 

[Dcuse]

I am 3 for 4 in convincing my kids to leave this place. They will never come back. The other one was gone, but a bad, bad breakup brought her home. I will feel bad for her when my wife and I leave.

Good for you. Congratulations. Nobody told you to live here.

 

[PhatOrange]

I am 3 for 4 in convincing my kids to leave this place. They will never come back. The other one was gone, but a bad, bad breakup brought her home. I will feel bad for her when my wife and I leave.

Our oldest went away for school. 12 hours. 4 years in he doesn't come home for summer anymore and said he's staying after grad. He loves to visit home but loves it more where he's at. I don't blame him. We wanted him to leave home and go away for school.

 

[sufandu]

Isn't it weird it's hard for us to pull players away from other areas because the pull to play for the hometown team is so strong but it's so understandable that players we want to keep from our region want to see the world?

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

I love coming back to NY to visit...Iowa is such a better place to live for me.


Really hoping Hester is Orange when it is all said and done.

I only visited Iowa, briefly, but liked it. My some went to school for a year in Council Bluffs

 

[mark79]

Is this heaven?



but seriously I would LOVE a syracusefan map of where the hell you people are. Don't we have a Philippines guy?

That would be pretty fun

 

[wfschrec]

Is this heaven?



but seriously I would LOVE a syracusefan map of where the hell you people are. Don't we have a Philippines guy?

No but I work with a bunch.

 

[longtimefan]

I am 3 for 4 in convincing my kids to leave this place. They will never come back. The other one was gone, but a bad, bad breakup brought her home. I will feel bad for her when my wife and I leave.

I'm guessing you don't work for the local Chamber of Commerce.

 

[karhre2003]

Is this heaven?



but seriously I would LOVE a syracusefan map of where the hell you people are. Don't we have a Philippines guy?

Yes you do.

 

[UnknownOrange]

Yes you do.

 

[tep624]

Isn't it weird it's hard for us to pull players away from other areas because the pull to play for the hometown team is so strong but it's so understandable that players we want to keep from our region want to see the world?

Sometimes people are just looking for something different. That both works for and against us, like most programs, but we’re in such a recruiting limited state that the impact is more noticeable. Texas could miss out on Messiah Hampton and not really care because there are another 4 of him to chase after in Texas.

 

[PhatOrange]

Isn't it weird it's hard for us to pull players away from other areas because the pull to play for the hometown team is so strong but it's so understandable that players we want to keep from our region want to see the world?

Don't think it's weird at all. I think it has a lot to do with flagship state U where multiple generations of friends families and neighbors went to school. Because of that there's more pull to stay home and it's compounded for states where college football is king.

NY kids want to experience that and they don't have everyone in their ear telling them to stay home.

 

[PhatOrange]

What time is this decision coming today?

 

[sufan59]

What time is this decision coming today?

Not sure. Florida was the leader before the visits, but no public predictions were made on this one since the visits started. He’s kept things very quiet once the visits started. Though, if he does choose Syracuse, I wouldn’t be shocked after he talked with Syracuse.com earlier this week.

 

[cardiac]

Not sure. Florida was the leader before the visits, but no public predictions were made on this one since the visits started. He’s kept things very quiet once the visits started. Though, if he does choose Syracuse, I wouldn’t be shocked after he talked with Syracuse.com earlier this week.

I would be suprised if he chose Syracuse, still Florida