BREAKING: Florida Gators Beat Out Florida State for Four-Star CB CJ Bronaugh, Who Says It’s Time They Gave Up

Florida Gators fans, rejoice—because Billy Napier just scored a massive recruiting victory that’s already sending shockwaves through the Sunshine State. Four-star cornerback CJ Bronaugh, one of the most coveted defensive backs in the 2025 recruiting class, has officially committed to the Gators over archrival Florida State. In a moment of pure emotion, Bronaugh himself didn’t hold back after making the announcement: “We got him over FSU!!! They need to just hang up their cleats!”

It’s a statement soaked in confidence and swagger, and one that perfectly reflects the tone surrounding Bronaugh’s decision. A high-stakes recruiting battle that spanned months—and included offers from elite programs like Georgia, Alabama, and Michigan—came down to a classic in-state war between the Gators and the Seminoles. And this time, the Gators came out on top.

Bronaugh, a 6-foot-1, 185-pound shutdown corner from Lakeland, Florida, has been a rising star on the national scene for over a year now. Rated as the No. 8 cornerback in the 2025 class and a top-100 overall prospect by On3, he brings elite athleticism, fluid hips, and physicality to the secondary. His ability to cover top receivers in man-to-man situations has drawn comparisons to recent Gators standout Kaiir Elam—and he may be even more advanced technically at this stage of his development.

“I chose Florida because it just felt like home,” Bronaugh told On3 Recruits. “The coaches, the fans, the energy—it’s all different in Gainesville. They showed me they believe in me not just as a player, but as a leader. I want to be part of building something special. And honestly, beating FSU for me was personal.”

That last part is what makes this story even more compelling. Bronaugh grew up in a household divided between Seminoles and Gators loyalties, but said he always leaned toward the Orange and Blue. His final visit to Gainesville sealed the deal.

“I was at that spring game, and man… the Swamp was electric,” Bronaugh said. “They showed me love like I was already family. Coach Raymond broke down film with me, told me how I’d fit into their system. It clicked. And I’m ready to go make a difference. FSU came hard, no lie, but they didn’t feel like this.”

Florida State, to its credit, made a serious push to land Bronaugh. Seminoles defensive backs coach Patrick Surtain Sr. was reportedly in constant contact with the corner, and FSU had him on campus three times in the past six months. The Noles pitched early playing time and the chance to be part of a resurgent program under Mike Norvell, who’s coming off back-to-back ten-win seasons. But even that momentum couldn’t compete with the emotional draw of the Gators—and the personal connection Bronaugh developed with Florida’s staff.

“Coach Napier is building something real,” Bronaugh said. “They’re stacking up talent, but they’re also creating a culture. Accountability, brotherhood, competition—that’s what I’m about. I’m not afraid to work. I want to lock down the top receivers in the SEC and bring championships back to Gainesville.”

Bronaugh becomes the highest-rated defensive back commitment in Florida’s 2025 class, and he now headlines what is shaping up to be a top-10 national class. He joins four-star linebacker Tyren Jones and elite pass rusher Jamari Newton as part of a rapidly improving Gators defensive haul.

Perhaps more important than the rankings, though, is the statement this commitment makes. For Napier and his staff, stealing one of the state’s best players away from Florida State is a huge morale win and a confirmation that their recruiting strategy is working. With the Gators trying to reestablish themselves as SEC contenders, winning battles like this one is essential.

Florida fans have every reason to celebrate, and social media lit up after the news broke. CJ Bronaugh’s own Instagram story featured a Florida jersey and the words “Business Trip Starts Now,” while Gators Twitter exploded with the usual jabs at Florida State.

One Gators fan tweeted, “We snatched him right out of their backyard. Put a fork in FSU—they done!”

While the celebration continues in Gainesville, the focus will eventually shift toward what Bronaugh brings to the field. His length and instincts make him ideal for the aggressive man coverage schemes Florida prefers. With the Gators losing key veterans in the secondary over the past two seasons, Bronaugh could push for early playing time in 2025.

“He’s not just hype,” one Florida assistant said. “He’s a technician. His footwork, eye discipline, ability to read routes—he’s got it all. We think he’s the kind of corner that doesn’t come around often.”

Indeed, Bronaugh has been described by multiple scouts as one of the most “college-ready” corners in the class. He played both ways in high school, logging snaps at wide receiver and returning punts. That versatility adds to his value, but it’s his confidence and edge that have scouts buzzing.

“You want corners who believe they’re the best player on the field,” said a national recruiting analyst. “CJ walks into every game like he’s going to shut down whoever lines up across from him. And most of the time, he does.”

While Florida fans revel in the moment, Florida State will need to regroup. The Seminoles have landed some key defensive recruits already, but losing Bronaugh stings—not just because of his talent, but because of how public and passionate the decision was. Bronaugh’s parting jab—“They need to just hang up their cleats”—is the kind of remark that gets remembered in rivalry lore.

Still, for Florida, this commitment is another brick in the foundation of what they hope will be a new era. After several seasons of inconsistency, Napier has been under pressure to deliver results. With recruits like Bronaugh now on board, that pressure may start to ease—at least for now.

And if CJ Bronaugh lives up to the hype, Florida fans might just look back at this moment as the turning point. A time when one of the best corners in the country chose the Gators, not just for playing time or prestige, but because of belief. In the program. In the coaches. In the vision.

And maybe most importantly, in beating FSU at their own game.

This one feels bigger than just a commitment. It feels like momentum. And in the ever-changing world of college football recruiting, that may be the most important thing of all.