A second-generation St. Augustine Yellow Jacket who went on to become the University of Florida’s most dynamic kick returner in history and a University of Georgia running back who went long-distance twice to beat the Gators in 2017 head the Florida-Georgia Hall of Fame Class of 2025.
Brandon James, who set 11 UF and four SEC records for returns, and Sony Michel, who led the Bulldogs to a victory that started their current domination of the rivalry, will enter the game’s Hall of Fame during ceremonies at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront on Oct. 31, beginning at 12:30 p.m.
Also going into the Hall of Fame will be Florida safety Todd Johnson and Georgia defensive end Freddie Gilbert.
Brandon James holds Florida SEC return records
James, who played at Florida from 2006-2009, holds Florida records for career kickoff return yards (2,718), career punt return yards (1,371), most total kick returns (229) and most total return yardage (4,089).
He is one of only two Gators ever to return both a punt and a kickoff for a touchdown, finishing his career with five total return scores. At the time his Florida career ended, James was third among active NCAA players in return touchdowns.
James was the SEC Special Teams Player of the Year in 2008 and All-SEC and All-American. He played on Florida teams that won two SEC titles and the 2008 BCS National Championship.
UF was 3-1 in four games against Georgia during James’ career. He had 11 kickoff returns for 224 yards (20.1) and seven punt returns for 72 yards (10.3) against the Bulldogs.
James, who was on the St. Augustine state championship team in 2005, is the offensive coordinator for the Yellow Jackets. His brother Brenton is the quarterback. James’ father Brian, played for the Yellow Jackets in the 1980s and went on to play college football at Samford.
Sony Michel led 2017 victory over Gators
Michel, an Orlando native, was on Georgia teams that went 0-3 vs. the Gators from 2014-2016. But as a senior, he led the Bulldogs to a 42-7 victory, scoring touchdowns on runs of 45 and 74 yards. Michel gained 137 yards on only six carries, for an average of 22.8 yards per attempt. Georgia has won seven of eight meetings since that game.
Michel had 3,638 yards and 33 touchdowns during his Georgia career, third all-time on the school rushing list. He went to earn Super Bowl rings with New England and the Los Angeles Rams.
Todd Johnson, Freddie Gilbert were defensive standouts
Johnson, who played at Florida from 1999-2002, was on the field for four victories over Georgia from 2000-2002. He had 13 tackles and eight assists in those games. The Sarasota native was a two-time All-SEC player.
Gilbert, from Griffin, Ga., played for Georgia from 1980-1983 when the ‘Dogs were 4-0 vs. Florida. In the 1981 game, he had eight tackles, three for losses. Gilbert had 26 career sacks at Georgia, still sixth all-time, and set the school record with five in one game against Temple in 1983.
He was a two-time All-SEC player, a 1983 All-American and was on three SEC championship teams and the 1980 national championship team.
How to get Florida-Georgia Hall of Fame tickets
Tickets for the 2025 Florida-Georgia Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Luncheon are on sale at https://flgajax.com/hall_of_fame/.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: St. Augustine’s Brandon James among the Florida-Georgia Hall of Fame Class of 2025
Reporting by Garry Smits, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union / Florida Times-Union
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