Florida State football has had a productive Early Signing Period, where they have managed to keep their own prospects in the fold. This was not a guarantee after the Seminoles finished with a 5-7 record. It was not the standard that Florida State wants to uphold.
The program had a 2-10 record during the 2024 season. The Seminoles' fan base was not in a great space after losing to arch-rival Florida Gators in the finale, but they are hoping that recruits flocked to Tallahassee.
There was a bombshell on Wednesday afternoon when Class of 2026 four-star defensive end Jaemin Pinckney from Dorchester, South Carolina, flipped his commitment from South Florida to Florida State then he signed with the Seminoles. Fans were wanting to see if Florida State could flip a four-star prospect, and they accomplished that feat.
This was a bit surprising since the Bulls hired Ohio State offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach Brian Hartline. He is trying to generate excitement in the program after former head football coach Alex Golesh went to Auburn.
This was probably a smart move since his position coach will probably not be retained. Pinckney could be used in Tallahassee as an effective pass rusher. He has a nice frame at 6'5" and 217 pounds. The Seminoles have eight defensive linemen in their class.
Position coach Terrance Knighton is going to have fun with that talented group of prospects. The defensive line underwhelmed during the 2025 season, especially the transfers. The good news is that Florida State has the Desir Twins (Mandrell and Darryll Desir) that will potentially be returning for 2026.
Overall, Pinckney could be a nice piece that Florida State could benefit from having him in Year 2 or Year 3. Hopefully, the Seminoles can stack these defensive lineman classes together to have an elite unit.