Gators in Top 5 for Justice Fitzpatrick: The Brother of NFL Star Minkah Fitzpatrick Weighs His Future

The Florida Gators are making significant strides in their 2026 recruiting class, and their latest headline-grabber is Justice Fitzpatrick, a four-star cornerback and the younger brother of Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. On May 28, Justice narrowed his list of potential schools to five: Florida, Georgia, Miami, Ohio State, and Texas. It’s a competitive group of powerhouse programs, but Florida’s inclusion speaks volumes about their recent momentum in recruiting elite defensive backs.

Who Is Justice Fitzpatrick?

Justice Fitzpatrick is a 6’0”, 185-pound cornerback from St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida—a program often regarded as one of the premier high school football powerhouses in the country. Known for its rigorous training and high-level competition, St. Thomas Aquinas has produced a long list of NFL players, including Nick and Joey Bosa, Geno Atkins, and of course, Minkah Fitzpatrick.

Justice has consistently demonstrated advanced technique, explosive speed, and strong instincts in man coverage—traits that mirror his brother’s skill set. While Minkah was primarily a safety at Alabama and in the NFL, Justice plays on the perimeter, showcasing lockdown coverage ability, quick transitions, and the versatility to match up against top receivers.

Scouting Report Highlights:

• Strengths:

  • Physical at the line of scrimmage

  • Excellent change-of-direction speed

  • High football IQ, likely due to NFL influence in the family

  • Solid tackling ability for a cornerback

  • Displays natural leadership on the field

• Areas to Develop:

  • Needs to improve play recognition in zone coverage

  • Can add more muscle to compete against SEC-level receivers

  • Deep ball tracking under pressure could improve

Justice is currently ranked the No. 3 cornerback in the nation for the Class of 2026 and a Top 50 overall player, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.

Why Florida Is in the Top 5

Florida’s coaching staff has made defensive back recruiting a top priority under head coach Billy Napier and defensive backs coach Deron Wilson. The Gators already boast a young but promising secondary and are positioning themselves as a destination for DB talent once again—reminiscent of the “DBU” era.

Florida’s Recruiting Pitch:

1. NFL Development Pipeline: Florida can point to recent alumni such as CJ Henderson, Kaiir Elam, and Chauncey Gardner-Johnson—defensive backs who have made successful transitions to the NFL.

2. Immediate Playing Time: With some starting DBs eligible for the NFL Draft in 2026, Justice could step into a role as early as his freshman year.

3. SEC Competition: Florida plays against top-tier talent every week, giving players national exposure and testing their abilities at the highest level of college football.

4. Family Ties to the Region: Being from South Florida, Justice and his family are familiar with the Gators’ brand, and Gainesville is just a few hours from home. That geographic proximity may help Florida’s case over Ohio State or Texas.

5. Culture and Coaching Continuity: The Gators have placed a high emphasis on stability, player development, and academic support under Napier’s regime.

Where the Gators Stand Against the Other Finalists

Let’s break down Florida’s competition and how each school stacks up.

Georgia Bulldogs

The reigning powerhouse of college football, Georgia has built its brand on defense and has developed more NFL DBs in recent years than perhaps any other program. Kirby Smart, himself a former DB, has crafted elite units featuring first-rounders like Tyson Campbell, Eric Stokes, and Kelee Ringo.

Pros for Georgia:

• Top-tier player development

• National title contention every year

• Deep culture of defensive excellence

Florida’s Edge: More immediate playing time, potentially closer relationship with the coaching staff.

Miami Hurricanes

The hometown team always has an inside track on South Florida kids. With Mario Cristobal looking to revitalize the program, Miami is selling the idea of being a cornerstone of a resurgence—playing in front of family and helping restore the U.

Pros for Miami:

• Close to home

• Likely NIL opportunities

• Defensive back need on the roster

Florida’s Edge: SEC competition, more stability, better national brand in recent years.

Ohio State Buckeyes

Ohio State has quietly become one of the best schools for defensive backs, producing talents like Jeff Okudah, Denzel Ward, and Marshon Lattimore. The Buckeyes play on a massive national stage and contend for College Football Playoff berths regularly.

Pros for Ohio State:

• Elite development and tradition

• Strong NFL exposure

• Consistent Big Ten dominance

Florida’s Edge: Better climate, closer to home, and a more familiar culture.

Texas Longhorns

With their upcoming move to the SEC, Texas is trying to stack elite recruiting classes to compete immediately. Steve Sarkisian has added a host of 5-star athletes, and their NIL program is among the most competitive in the country.

Pros for Texas:

• State-of-the-art facilities

• New SEC profile

• Prominent role early on

Florida’s Edge: A longer-standing SEC legacy and a clearer defensive identity.

The Fitzpatrick Family Legacy

Minkah Fitzpatrick’s path—Alabama star to 11th overall NFL Draft pick to All-Pro NFL safety—casts a long shadow. Yet Justice has not shied away from comparisons. In fact, his approach has been to embrace the legacy while carving his own name.

Justice has trained with his older brother during offseasons and has said in interviews that watching Minkah’s professionalism and preparation has shaped his mindset.

“He’s shown me what it takes—not just talent, but work ethic, preparation, and being a student of the game. That’s what I’m chasing,” Justice said in a recent interview.

While Alabama is conspicuously absent from his top five, the influence of Minkah’s career trajectory still looms. Justice is seeking a program that mirrors that level of preparation—on and off the field.

What Justice Fitzpatrick Would Bring to Florida

If the Gators land Justice Fitzpatrick, it could be a defining moment in their 2026 recruiting class.

Team Impact:

• Immediate depth boost to a cornerback room that will likely lose key pieces after 2025.

• Locker room culture addition: Justice’s football pedigree would elevate standards in the film room and weight room.

• Recruiting momentum: Landing Fitzpatrick could help attract more top talent, particularly in the competitive South Florida region.