FSU football coaches received some disappointing news on Saturday when three-star defensive end Katrell Webb selected the Purdue Boilermakers over FSU and Indiana. He's a talented player from Georgia deciding to go to a school up north instead of in his backyard.
FSU had some guys higher on the recruiting board than Webb, but they all committed elsewhere, and FSU has yet to secure a defensive end pass rusher in the 2026 recruiting class.
Some thoughts
FSU values the position, recruiting top-ranked players like Trenton Henderson and Jamarion Matthews, plus a host of other solid guys who wouldn't be among those considered top-tier. FSU brought in fewer than 10 defensive end targets for official visits.
However, when we go back to the 2025 recruiting class, FSU signed four defensive ends from the high school ranks. They also added at least two from the transfer portal with two years of eligibility remaining.
They can also use some linebackers to generate a pass rush from Tony White's multiple defense.
Value Other Positions More this Recruiting Cycle?
FSU coaches may not value the defensive end options as highly this recruiting cycle, considering they haven't brought many in for official visits. The offensive line is another position they desperately have to shore up, and FSU has two major targets remaining on its recruiting board. The coaching staff may be making sure to allocate resources to secure at least one or both of those remaining offensive line targets instead of overspending for a three-star defensive end who needs a year to develop.
They need to add at least one pass rusher probably, so it'll be interesting to see where they turn next. If they land one of those offensive line targets, I'd consider that a bigger win than landing Katrell Webb or Chris Addison at defensive end.