FED UP WITH FSU RECRUITING?
Florida State football is sitting with the 20th-best recruiting class in the 2026 cycle, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. This is not the standard that the Seminoles' fan base expects. Florida State has not secured a top-ten recruiting class in the Norvell era.
This is worrisome to individuals, but as we all know, recruiting is an ever-changing process. Plus, the implementation of the transfer portal is at an all-time high as well (we know that you don't know about it, Dabo Swinney).
Florida State only has nine prospects in the fold for the 2026 class. The truth of the matter is that the program could still see recruits de-commit from the Seminoles. With that said, the coaching staff needs to keep applying pressure on the recruiting front as well as expanding the target board with other viable options in case targets start to trend or commit elsewhere.
WHAT ABOUT THE TRENCHES?
This is vital to positions within the offensive and defensive trenches. I know that a grouchy old man is yelling at this article: "Football games are won in the trenches!" And you know what... they have a point. This is something that the Seminoles are struggled in throughout the years.
I mentioned in a previous article that Florida State saw four-star defensive end target Cam Brooks commit to California. As a result, the Seminoles looked like they pushed for three-star pass rusher Katrell Webb.
GRIFFIN-HAYNES A FUTURE NOLE?
Defensive end looks to be a group that they want to bolster in the recruiting class. One prospect that I believe could be a difference maker for the Seminoles in the 2026 recruiting cycle if they were to acquire him, is a four-star defensive end, Zavion Griffin-Haynes.
The North Carolina native was once committed to the home-state Tar Heels. However, he backed off of his pledge to the university on November 20th. He has since reopened his recruitment, where he has official visits scheduled with North Carolina State, Georgia, Notre Dame, Florida, and Florida State.
RELATIONSHIP PAYING DIVIDENDS
It looks like Griffin-Haynes saved the best trip for last, as he will visit Tallahassee on the weekend of June 20th. Plus, the Seminoles recently hired Molly Jacoby to be its Director of Recruiting Operations.
She previously served as an Assistant Director of On-Campus Recruiting, Director of Recruiting Strategy, and Director of Recruiting at North Carolina from 2021 to 2025. The talented defensive end has an existing relationship with Jacoby and the connection could pay dividends for the Seminoles.