FSU battling Alabama and Auburn and has final official visit for blue-chip tight end

Despite the recruiting frustrations from FSU football fans and the 2-10 season in 2024, FSU coaches are quietly putting in work and in the mix for a solid number of quality blue-chip prospects.

Several blue-chip players courting elite schools have included FSU in their lists, and a couple have FSU as their final official visit this summer.

The latest is the 2026 blue-chip tight-end Xavier Tiller. The Peach State native announced his final three schools on Friday, and we learned FSU is battling Alabama and Auburn for his commitment.

FSU has some things going in its favor. FSU got Tiller on campus to visit this spring and has a former five-star tight end from Georgia on its roster in Landen Thomas.

The former Texas A&M commit de-committed a few weeks after his spring visit to FSU.

The fact he didn't visit Alabama or Auburn this spring and FSU has the final visit are good signs.

Tiller ranks as the No. 206 player and No. 10 tight-end nationally. He stands at 6'4" and 212 pounds. He caught 25 passes for 352 yards and seven touchdowns as a sophomore while playing with former five-star QB, Air Noland.

FSU, Alabama, or Auburn have a tight-end commitment in their 2026 class. None of the three have a quarterback committed, but FSU is in the mix for two highly-touted blue-chip quarterbacks.

I've been consistent in saying I believe how well FSU does on the field this season will dictate how well they finish in recruiting. I'm not sure when Tiller plans to announce a commitment, but if he commits before the season, how FSU does will surely impact that decision.

FSU playing Alabama in the first game this fall could impact things if Alabama makes a strong run at him. All the signs point to FSU being in a good spot here.