![Vanguard Head Football Coach Edwin Farmer, left, talks with Florida State Defensive Back Coach Patrick Surtain, right, Wednesday. The Vanguard Knights held a Spring football practice at Booster Stadium Wednesday afternoon, May 24, 2023 in Ocala, FL. The Knights played Manatee High School in their Spring football matchup. [Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner]2023](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_1526,h_858/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/270/01kbh4wtbnnsywsme06d.jpg "Vanguard Head Football Coach Edwin Farmer, left, talks with Florida State Defensive Back Coach Patrick Surtain, right, Wednesday. The Vanguard Knights held a Spring football practice at Booster Stadium Wednesday afternoon, May 24, 2023 in Ocala, FL. The Knights played Manatee High School in their Spring football matchup. [Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner]2023")
Florida State football didn't have the 2025 season that it wanted, as they found out a way to lose to the arch-rival Florida Gators in the finale. This didn't give a bode of confidence, as they didn't get bowl eligible.
The administration announced head football coach Mike Norvell would be retained for the 2026 season. This was something that the fan base was surprised by, but this is a prime opportunity for him to acquire talented pieces to their roster for the future.
High school recruiting is something that the program wants to continue to building its foundations. With all the talented prospects that have signed with Florida State, one recruit has been committed to the Garnet and Gold the longest: Four-star defensive back Darryl "Tre" Bell III.
Bell III has been committed to the Seminoles since October 10, 2023, and it is great to see that the pledge stuck out through the highs of the 2023 season to the lows in 2024, and even the rebuilding phase of 2025. That is the true sign of loving a university and coaches through thick and thin.
The Florida native had been pursued by the Auburn Tigers earlier in the recruitment process, but the defender continued to show love to the Seminoles, who gave him an opportunity. Florida State has been a punching bag for individuals to laugh at, but Bell III is ready to change the narrative.
He had a solid senior season of high school, where he recorded 35 receptions for 608 yards and six touchdowns as a receiver. Then he accumulated 46 tackles (eight for loss), one interception, and two fumble recoveries as a defender (Stats were provided by MaxPreps).
The defensive back will be a good piece to develop for position coaches Patrick Surtain Sr. and Evan Cooper. We at ChopChat cannot wait to see him perform in the Garnet and Gold.