News Summary
Brandon James and Sony Michel are set for induction into the Florida-Georgia Hall of Fame at a ceremony in Jacksonville. Both athletes made remarkable contributions to the football rivalry, with James holding multiple records for the Florida Gators and Michel excelling as a running back for the Georgia Bulldogs. The event, recognizing their significant impact on the sport, will take place at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront.
Jacksonville, Florida – Brandon James and Sony Michel will be inducted into the Florida-Georgia Hall of Fame on October 31, 2025. The ceremony is slated to commence at 12:30 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront, recognizing their notable contributions to the storied football rivalry between the two schools.
Brandon James, a former kick returner for the Florida Gators, is celebrated for his impressive college career from 2006 to 2009. During this time, he set 11 records at the University of Florida as well as 4 Southeastern Conference (SEC) records. His achievements include Florida records for career kickoff return yards with 2,718, career punt return yards at 1,371, most total kick returns at 229, and total return yardage of 4,089. James is one of only two Gators to have returned both a punt and a kickoff for a touchdown, amassing a total of five return scores and finishing his career ranked third among active NCAA players in return touchdowns.
In recognition of his outstanding performance, James was named the SEC Special Teams Player of the Year in 2008 and earned both All-SEC and All-American honors. His contributions were pivotal in the Gators capturing two SEC titles and the BCS National Championship in 2008. Specifically, in games against Georgia, he had 11 kickoff returns for 224 yards (average 20.1) and 7 punt returns for 72 yards (average 10.3).
James’ football journey began on the state championship team in 2005 at St. Augustine High School, and he currently serves as the offensive coordinator for the Yellow Jackets, with his brother Brenton playing quarterback.
Joining James as an inductee is Sony Michel, a standout running back for the Georgia Bulldogs. Hailing from Orlando, Michel played a crucial role in Georgia’s 2017 victory against the Gators, scoring rushing touchdowns of 45 and 74 yards. During that game, he showcased his remarkable ability by gaining 137 yards on just 6 carries, averaging an impressive 22.8 yards per attempt.
Michel accumulated 3,638 rushing yards and 33 touchdowns during his career at Georgia, ranking third on the school’s all-time rushing list. However, he did experience losses to Florida in three consecutive games from 2014 to 2016. Following his college career, Michel achieved professional success, winning Super Bowl rings with both the New England Patriots and the Los Angeles Rams.
The Florida-Georgia Hall of Fame will also honor Todd Johnson, a former Florida safety, and Freddie Gilbert, a Georgia defensive end. Johnson’s tenure at Florida from 1999 to 2002 included significant participation in four victories over Georgia, where he recorded 13 tackles and 8 assists in games against the Bulldogs. He was recognized as a two-time All-SEC selection.
Freddie Gilbert played for Georgia from 1980 to 1983 and maintained a perfect 4-0 record against Florida. He tallied 26 career sacks, placing him tied for sixth on Georgia’s all-time list, and was also a two-time All-SEC player and a 1983 All-American.
Tickets for the induction ceremony are available for purchase online. The Hall of Fame was established in 1995 to honor individuals who made significant impacts on the football programs of both Florida and Georgia. This event highlights the long-standing rivalry between the two programs, showcasing the enduring bond shared by both schools for over a century.
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Additional Resources
- WRUF: Former Gator James and Johnson Join Florida-Georgia Hall of Fame
- Georgia Bulldogs: Florida-Georgia Hall of Fame to Induct Gilbert, Michel
- Florida Gators: Gator Standouts James, Johnson to be Inducted
- Jacksonville: Brandon James, Sony Michel Inducted into Florida-Georgia Hall of Fame
- Sports Illustrated: Former Gators Brandon James, Todd Johnson Inducted into Florida-Georgia HOF
- Wikipedia: Rivalry between the Florida Gators and the Georgia Bulldogs
- Google Search: Florida-Georgia Hall of Fame
- Google Scholar: Florida-Georgia football history
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Football
- Google News: Florida Georgia Hall of Fame
Author: STAFF HERE JACKSONVILLE WRITER
The JACKSONVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREJacksonville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Jacksonville, Duval County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Riverside Arts Market, and World of Nations Celebration. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and JAXUSA Partnership, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and entertainment that power the local economy such as CSX Corporation, Baptist Health, and VyStar Credit Union. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
