Gators wrap up Jon Sumrall’s ’26 class with 3 DBs, sit No. 16 in rankings
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GAINESVILLE — Florida signed three defensive backs to wrap up coach Jon Sumrall’s inaugural class and place the Gators No. 16 nationally even as Sumrall finishes his tenure at Tulane and transitions his new job.
Safety Kaiden “KD” Hall of Milton, located on Florida’s Panhandle, completed the 2026 class when he signed Friday. On Thursday, cornerback CJ Hester of Cocoa High also signed, while safety Dylan Purter flipped his commitment from LSU.
The Gators experienced their own signing period drama Friday evening when tight end Kekua Aumua of Hawaii changed his commitment to Washington, according to 247Sports.
Hall and Purter join a position with two rising senior, multi-season starters, Jordan Castell and Bryce Thornton, but in need of consistency, playmaking and depth beyond sophomore Drake Stubbs.
A 2025 Under Armour All-American, the 6-foot-2 ¼, 192-pound Hall is versatile, productive and physical at multiple positions.
The No. 25 safety prospect in by 247Sports composite rankings, Hall compiled 129 tackles, 11 for loss, four interceptions and two pass breakups during 29 career games. In 2025, he threw for 638 yards and four scores as Milton’s quarterback, rushed for 15 touchdowns and 798 yards and caught eight passes for 80 yards.
Rated the No. 20 safety in the 2026 class, Purter is more slightly built (6-0, 170) than Hall, but is instinctive and able to line up anywhere in the secondary. He compiled 148 tackles, eight for loss, two interceptions and 11 breakups in 2023-24.
The 6-foot, 186-pound Hester is a playmaker and winner, playing a key role in three Class 2A state title wins at Cocoa. The speedy Titusville native had two interceptions in the Class 2A regional semifinal and two more, along with four breakups, in the state semifinals.
Hester finished his career with 186 tackles, seven interceptions, 21 breakups and three forced fumbles.
“This group is a testament to both the national brand of Florida and the hard-work of some great people on staff in Gainesville,” Sumrall said in a statement. “This is just the beginning.”
The class featured 17 scholarship players, with nine on offense and eight on defense. UF signed five offensive linemen, four defensive backs, three wide receivers, two edge rushers, two defensive linemen, a quarterback and a linebacker.
Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com
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