FSU football: 5-star DE target includes FSU in his top five schools list

FSU football is still attempting to locate its first defensive end prospect in its 2024 recruiting class.

Will Stephenson commit to FSU?

While four-star Dylan Stephenson from Columbus High School in Miami has emerged as a likely candidate to commit to the Noles (after he received a crystal ball prediction to FSU with a confidence level of 7 out of 10), the target board needs to expand.

Franklin puts FSU on top schools list

On Friday afternoon, five-star pass rusher Kamarion Franklin from Lake Cormorant, Mississippi, included the Seminoles in his top five schools list. The list also included schools such as Ole Miss, Auburn, Tennessee, and Miami.

Home sweet Mississippi

Seminole fans understand how difficult it is to get Mississippi prospects out of the state. For example, FSU lost out on commitments from Class of 2021 four-star quarterback Luke Altmyer from Starkville, Mississippi (signed with Ole Miss) and Class of 2022 four-star defensive lineman Trevion Williams from Crystal Springs, Mississippi (ended up signing with Mississippi State).

Unfortunately, the Seminoles had to lick its wounds at the defensive end position last recruiting cycle as four-star pass rusher Keldric Faulk from Highland Home, Alabama, chose to flip his commitment from the Florida State Seminoles to the home-state Auburn Tigers on Early Signing Day.

While FSU has four-star Lamont Green Jr. and three-star JUCO Jaden Jones at the position, it will likely be redshirt junior Jared Verse’s final season in Tallahassee. Defensive ends coach John Papuchis needs to continue acquiring talent for the Seminoles to remain competitive after the departure.

Closing thoughts

FSU has stiff competition with Franklin as he officially visits Miami this weekend, Tennessee from June 16-18, and potentially LSU from June 23-25.

The only other defensive target, excluding Stephenson, that seems obtainable is four-star LJ McCray from Mainland High School in Daytona Beach, Florida (officially visiting FSU on October 7, 2023).