Former FSU commit Mekhi Williams leaves no mystery about where his recruitment stands

It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster few weeks between Florida State fans and former Seminole commit Mekhi Williams. Once the top-rated recruit in Mike Norvell’s 2027 class, Williams flipped to Wisconsin on June 3, over a year after he originally committed to FSU. 

Then, after camping at FSU, the four-star safety from Ruskin, Florida, told Warchant.com’s Matt LaSerre, “I don’t want to close that door,” which reignited hopes for some of the FSU fanbase. However, those dreams of a return to the Noles’ class were short-lived because on Friday, Williams clarified where his recruitment stands in a response to a Florida State fan page on social media. 

Williams posted a graphic of himself in a Wisconsin uniform with the words “recruitment shut down.” That’s about as clear as it gets. 

Mekhi Williams has shut down his recruitment after Wisconsin flip

The way his recruitment has gone, there’s no guarantee that shutting things down now will mean he signs on the dotted line with the Badgers in the Early Signing Period. Especially considering that Luke Fickell is one of the few coaches in college football with a seat anywhere near as hot as Mike Norvell’s heading into 2026. 

Fickell, though, unlike Norvell, received a real vote of confidence from his administration, one backed by increased financial support, which ultimately helped lead to Williams’ flip. Norvell has largely been hung out to dry by the FSU donor base, presumably waiting patiently to pay his hefty buyout after it drops below $60 million this year. 

Still, if Fickell struggles against a much more favorable Big Ten schedule than the one he faced last season, it could be the last straw in Madison, which would likely spring Williams free. That’s not to say he’d return to the Noles, but his recruitment could be opened up again, and Norvell could have a shot. That is, if Florida State were interested in pursuing a reunion. 

Williams did state in his interview with LaSerre that his recruitment was shut down before his ‘door open’ comments. Still, the situation felt like a back-and-forth, and in the NIL era, those are typically used to help drive up the asking price. He clearly got a good number from Wisconsin, and it was clearly not one FSU was willing to match. 

The entire situation could have the coaching staff in Tallahassee souring on Williams, and the fanbase seems to be doing the same. Since his de-commitment, Florida State has already landed five other commitments, though none in the defensive backfield. It seems the money earmarked for Williams is getting spent, and could still be spent on a more obvious replacement for his skill set in the 2027 class.

Unfortunately for Norvell, one of those potential DB replacements, Dayon Cooper, de-committed from the Noles on Sunday after his official visit to Tennessee, his top in-state school. FSU wanted him to play defensive back, but Tennessee appears to be recruiting him as a wide receiver, his preferred position.

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