Despite a disappointing season, FSU rebounds with top-15 recruiting class

Florida State didn’t get the season it wanted, but it still strolled into National Signing Day carrying a top-15 recruiting class like a team that never stopped working the phones. The message this offseason has been all about focus and stability, two things Mike Norvell and his staff are treating less like buzzwords and more like mandatory team policies.

Despite a 5-7 record this season, the recruiting class has been largely steady for the past several months. Although, FSU did lose a commitment over the weekend when three-star defensive back Sean Johnson flipped to Maryland.

Johnson’s decommitment continues a trend of occasional movement following FSU’s staff reshuffling. While the program has not experienced widespread departures in the wake of recent hires, Norvell’s staff has had to reinforce commitments at several positions, particularly along the defensive line and in the secondary.

FSU put its focus on defense this recruiting cycle. The Seminoles’ highest-rated commitment is four-star cornerback Chauncey Kennon of Sarasota Booker. Kennon is ranked as a top-40 national recruit and has been one of the most vocal leaders of the class.

FSU landed two of the Southeast’s top defensive linemen in Earnest Rankins out of Georgia and Franklin Whitley from South Carolina, both four-star prospects. They are being counted on to contribute right away and expected to add size and versatility. Rankins is 6-4, 265 pounds and Whitley is 6-6 and 265 pounds. Whitley has played one season of football in Greenville, with 39 tackles, 3 sacks, and 14 tackles for loss.

At linebacker, Tavares’ Izayia Williams, a four-star do-everything defender, is expected to anchor that group. Williams brings the kind of range and closing speed FSU has been lacking at the position. Three-star star commits Karon Maycock, Noah LaVallee and Daylen Green round out the group. After leaning on transfers for so long, FSU finally has a homegrown linebacker room that looks built to stay.

Offensively, Florida State added one of the cycle’s more intriguing quarterbacks in four-star Jaden O’Neal from Oklahoma. O’Neal was on sold on the Seminoles early as he committed during the summer.

The Seminoles were also aggressive in rebuilding their wide receiver room and added six. Thye include, four-star talents Efrem White, Brandon Bennett, Devin Carter and Jasen Lopez. Bennett (Plantation American Heritage) and Lopez (Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna) come from South Florida. Bennett played was a contender for the Nat Moore Trophy given to South Florida’s best High School athlete.

Running back Amari Thomas, a four-star from Blountstown, headlines the backfield additions, while the tight end group is led by four-star Xavier Tiller out of Georgia.

FSU’s offensive line class includes three-star prospects Mike Ionata, Jakobe Green, and Luke Francis, the latter hailing from London. The staff views Francis as a long-term developmental prospect with high upside.

One of the priorities of this cycle was reinforcing the Seminoles’ presence in South Florida.

The highest-rated South Florida pass-catcher is Lopez. Lopez has back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons with one of the premier programs in the nation. Safety Daryll Bell III of Hialeah Goleman should also contribute right away.

Seminoles’ Class of 2026 signees

QB: Jaden O’Neal (Oklahoma).

RB: Amari Thomas (Florida); Jonah “JP” Winston (Alabama).

WR: Efrem White (Florida); Brandon Bennett (Florida); Devin Carter (Georgia); Jasen Lopez (Florida).

TE: Xavier Tiller (Georgia); Corbyn Fordham (Florida).

OL: Mike Ionata (Florida); Jakobe Green (Florida); Luke Francis (London, UK).

DL: Damaan Lewis (North Carolina); Earnest Rankins (Georgia); Franklin Whitley (South Carolina); Chris Carbin (Georgia); Wihtlley Cadeau (Georgia); Judah Daniels (Florida).

LB: Izayia Williams (Florida); Karon Maycock (Florida); Noah LaVallee (Georgia); Daylen Green (Florida).

DB: Jordan Crutchfield (Florida); Chauncey Kennon (Florida); DB: Darryl Bell III (Florida).

ATH: Darryon Williams (Florida).