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Does FSU football have a chance with this five-star offensive playmaker?

Can Florida State reel in this five-star?
ByTaylor Devers|
Chaminade Madonna wide receiver and 5-star Ohio State commit Jeremiah Smith competed in the Class 1M state championship game on Dec. 7, 2023 at Bragg Memorial Stadium.
Chaminade Madonna wide receiver and 5-star Ohio State commit Jeremiah Smith competed in the Class 1M state championship game on Dec. 7, 2023 at Bragg Memorial Stadium. | Jack Williams/Tallahassee Democrat / USA TODAY NETWORK

FSU FOOTBALL RECRUITING

Florida State football has been putting in the hard work and dedication this summer as they rank as the 12th-best recruiting class according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.

The Seminoles' fan base had its hesitancies about the coaching staff prioritizing high school recruits because some individuals thought that they only cared about transfers. However, the program has come alive during the 2026 recruiting cycle.

The offense hindered the Seminoles last season, where they ranked as one of the worst units in all of college football. Florida State head football coach Mike Norvell decided to hire former UCF head football coach Gus Malzahn to be the offensive coordinator.

This was an important piece to the puzzle since Florida State wants to get back to running the football.

RUNNING BACK POSITION OUTLOOK

The Seminoles had two new pickups at the running back position this offseason, with former Oklahoma transfer Gavin Sawchuk and former four-star prospect Ousmane Kromah. They should both be big-time contributors this season.

Florida State has started recruiting well at the position for the 2026 cycle, too, as they have four-star running back Amari Thomas committed. The Florida native recorded 1,880 yards and 34 touchdowns during his junior season at Marianna. He has now transferred to Blountstown, where he hopes to have a repeat performance.

As for other targets, the Seminoles are also swinging for the fences for five-star Derrek Cooper from Chaminade-Madonna Prep in Hollywood, Florida, who will be making his decision on July 20th.

This is some stiff competition for Cooper as position coach David Johnson hopes to get more talent in his room. It would be a shame to see the arch-rival Miami Hurricanes lose out on another nearby elite prospect like Calvin Russell when he committed to Syracuse.

However, all of these teams could offer playing time and a ton of resources. Even though Florida State has its high school teammate (four-star wide receiver Jasen Lopez), I would put it at 15% that the Seminoles land Cooper at this time.

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