It turns out that winning big games can make a difference in recruiting. And for FSU, that means being back in the picture for 4-star linebacker DQ Forkpa.
Forkpa's recruitment has been quite the ride...not exactly to Izayia Williams' level, but one that has gone a lot of different directions. On3/Rivals national recruiting scout Chad Simmons said that FSU made a big statement with Forkpa on campus to watch the Noles smack around Alabama,
"I would probably put [FSU] ahead of Michigan"@ChadSimmons_ says a lot of things went right for Florida State during DQ Forkpa's visit 🍢
— Josh Newberg (@josh_newberg) September 3, 2025
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"[Forkpa] was at Florida State for their opener. Linebacker is a position of need," Simmons said. "[FSU] made big moves earlier this summer with the flip of Izayia Williams, getting him back in the fold from Ole Miss."
By having Forkpa on campus, FSU showed the top linebacker prospect what the gameday atmosphere was like with a rejuvenated fan base and how exciting FSU football can be when it's winning.
"I think FSU couldn't have wanted it any other way," Simmons added. "FSU took care of business over Alabama, and they had Forkpa on campus. He wasn't in Ann Arbor, he wasn't at Michigan, he wasn't in the Swamp at Florida. He was in Tallahassee.
Pulling off another recruiting surprise
It's been an eventful 2025 off the field for Forkpa. In January, he transferred from Mill Creek (Georgia) to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. Forkpa went through spring practice with IMG, but transferred to St. Frances Academy (Baltimore, Maryland) in mid-August.
Forkpa had originally planned to make his commitment on July 12 and was expected to make a pledge to the Florida Gators. But he decided to delay that announcement and the speculation was that Michigan was in the driver's seat for the talented linebacker prospect.
Now FSU is solidly back in the picture and if the Seminoles staff can pull Forkpa while holding onto Williams' commitment, it would be considered quite a coup.
Simmons said that Forkpa would still like to decide sooner rather than later.
"He does not want to take it to signing day unless he has to," Simmons relayed.
My thoughts: Forkpa will keep us guessing
I would say that FSU made up a lot of ground with Forkpa over the weekend and the Seminoles are in play, but I wouldn't go as far as saying they are the team to beat.
The truth is Forkpa is still looking. He is planning an official visit to Missouri at the end of September, and we'll see if he's in attendance for games at Florida or Michigan in the coming weeks, as well as a potential return to Tallahassee.
A big key to Forkpa's relationship with the Seminoles will be defensive coordinator Tony White and his future in Tallahassse. If FSU has a breakthrough season, like we now expect, it's going to be very tough to keep White in the fold if there are head coaching opportunities out there.
Even though Forkpa wants to end things before the Early Signing Period, this is a recruitment that feels like it will drag out until December.