JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The two Gators inducted on Friday afternoon into the Florida-Georgia Hall of Fame shared some commonalities.

First, both Todd Johnson and Brandon James had their kids on hand to prove that all the stories they had heard were true. Next, they both had their fathers as the official presenters of the jacket given to the inductees.

“I’m thankful to have this jacket on,” said Johnson, a standout safety for UF from 1998-2002 and who later played seven seasons in the NFL.

 

Whether you’re a Gator or a Bulldog, we can all agree that Florida-Georgia weekend is a Jacksonville institution. A big part of that is the annual Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony held this afternoon.

Congratulations to the Class of 2025: Brandon James & Todd Johnson from the… pic.twitter.com/7HBy5MH1kn

— Mayor Donna Deegan (@MayorDeegan) October 31, 2025

Oh, and they had bragging rights since Johnson went 4-0 against Georgia and James, a dynamic kick returner and running back from 2006-09, went 3-1 against the Bulldogs. The rivalry renews on Saturday afternoon at EverBank Stadium when the Gators (3-4, 2-2) seek to snap a four-game losing streak to No. 5-ranked Georgia (6-1, 4-2).

Johnson recalled how in 2002, the first season after Steve Spurrier left for the NFL, the Gators upset the fifth-ranked Bulldogs when few gave them a chance.

“Let’s do it again,” he said. “We’re unranked. Georgia is No. 5.”

James considers Florida’s 2008 victory over the Bulldogs one of the most meaningful memories of his career. Not that any Gators fans need reminding, but in Georgia’s 42-30 victory the previous season, Bulldogs coach Mark Richt told his team to rush the field if Georgia scored the first touchdown. Georgia had lost 15 of the 17 previous meetings against Florida, and Richt sought to spark the Bulldogs in any way he could.

The plan worked. However, the Gators went to work in the offseason to ensure they got revenge the next time — final score: Florida 49, Georgia 10.

It was a total beatdown that featured an iconic tackle by Gators linebacker Brandon Spikes on Bulldogs running back Knowshon Moreno. Seventeen years later, Spikes showed up to surprise James on Friday afternoon.

“I can’t thank him enough, because when I got to UF, with my size, I never looked at the NFL or being a great player,” said James, listed at 5-foot-7. “It was always just about playing and doing the right thing. Being around him and Tim [Tebow], it just made me believe more in what I could achieve.”

Johnson and James were inducted along with former Georgia running back Sony Michel and defensive lineman Freddie Gilbert, who played for the Bulldogs from 1980 to ’83.

Following their playing days, Johnson and James took similar paths. Johnson returned to Sarasota and became head coach at his alma mater, Sarasota Riverview High School. He spent several seasons coaching before stepping down in 2017 to pursue other opportunities. As for James, he is the offensive coordinator at his alma mater, St. Augustine High.

In fact, the Yellow Jackets had a game on Thursday night, suffering their first loss of the season to Mandarin. St. Augustine finished 9-1 and has a bye week before the state playoffs start.

As James shook hands with well-wishers and reflected on his journey from playing for the Yellow Jackets and then the Gators, with brief stints in the NFL and CFL, and then starting his coaching career, he looked around the ballroom at the Hyatt Regency, thinking about it all.

James can relate to Richt’s tactics all those years ago much better than he could as a player. He said when St. Augustine returns to practice next week, he wants to lift them up before the playoffs. That’s what coaches do.

“I’m around kids every day and I try to push them to achieve their dreams,” he said. “Working with kids now, and working as a coach, you get why Mark Richt did what he did. You’ve got to look for an edge, especially when [the Gators] are beating you every year. I think that’s what he did.”

 

#Gators playmaker Brandon James inducted into Florida-Georgia Game Hall of Fame … a former teammate showed up to surprise him … pic.twitter.com/yG1zaGT9nd

— Scott Carter (@GatorsScott) October 31, 2025

Johnson and James will be honored during halftime on Saturday. They never played together, but they played in an era when the Gators dominated the rivalry.

They are ready for that trend to return. But whichever school has the upper hand, James’ and Johnson’s place is secure in the rivalry’s history. They are among the best to step foot onto the field along the banks of the St. Johns River.

“It’s as unique as it can be,” Johnson said of the rivalry. “It’s like having a bowl game right in the middle of the season. We knew we would have to bring our A-game.

“You kind of forget how good we were.”

Maybe the Georgia side of the stadium has. Not the Florida side.