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Coach Prime poaches a big piece of Mike Norvell's 2026 recruiting class

Coach Prime is at it again...
ByTaylor Devers|
Apr 19, 2025; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders during the spring game at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
Apr 19, 2025; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders during the spring game at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images | Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

FSU FOOTBALL RECRUITING

Florida State football recruiting for the 2026 cycle has been red-hot this summer. The Seminoles' fan base never imagined that the program would have this much success after the 2-10 disaster that was the 2024 campaign.

There are individuals out there who think head football coach Mike Norvell can only recruit transfers, but he is starting to prove the doubters wrong as he has developed tremendous relationships with high school talent.

One of the biggest pickups in the 2026 recruiting class was five-star cornerback Chauncey Kennon from Booker High School in Sarasota, Florida. Kennon was a prospect that the Seminoles couldn't afford to miss on.

Even though Florida State football was leading for the talented defensive back, some fans have PTSD from the incidents with former five-star prospects Travis Hunter and KJ Bolden. Nonetheless, the Seminoles were able to lure him in over schools such as Miami, Florida, LSU, and Georgia.

DEION WON'T GO AWAY

There have been some recruiting battles that Norvell has lost in the past. One throne to his side was former Jackson State and current Colorado head football coach Deion Sanders.

Sanders was a former All-American at Florida State, but he receives criticism from the fan base because he doesn't even claim the university anymore. Furthermore, the former great defensive back loves to take players and recruits from the Seminoles.

He was able to land Class of 2026 three-star offensive tackle Xavier Payne, who was formerly committed to Florida State.

THOUGHTS ABOUT PAYNE

I am not suggesting that this is a massive loss for Mike Norvell and the Seminoles, but Florida State is still searching for an offensive tackle to put in the class after they landed three interior offensive linemen.

Payne was a solid acquisition for the Buffaloes. I hope that Florida State can land four-star offensive tackle Wilson Zierer from Rabun Gap, Georgia, who could be announcing his commitment sooner rather than later.

However, if Florida State strikes out on Zierer, it could look like a dumb decision to mutually part ways with Payne since he is 6'7" and 325 pounds.

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