FSU football coaches have gotten hot on the recruiting trail with some big-time additions from the transfer portal at positions of need over the last couple of days.
However, the coaches must multi-task with high school recruiting in the 2026 classes and beyond. FSU hired five new coaches this month, and those coaches must get new offers out to players they may have been recruiting at their previous spots and new guys they've evaluated since getting hired at FSU.
FSU has put a priority on the trenches, especially on the offensive line, since it's been the weakest area of recruiting and development over the past eight years. FSU offensive line coach Herb Hand is well-respected and it's already paying off as he extended an offer earlier this month that's already paid dividends with a commitment in the 2026 commitment.
#agtg Nole family IM HOME!!! @FSUFootball @JonesHSFootball @JohnGarcia_Jr @adamgorney @Andrew_Ivins @CoachHand @trenchmenAC pic.twitter.com/opYcWdLpw3
— Xavier Payne🥞 (@NYPayne58) December 22, 2024
It's the first offensive line commitment for Coach Hand since joining the FSU staff, and the first offensive line commit in the 2026 class.
Fan Reaction
Damn…Herb Hand out here killing it. Sad that Alex Atkins was asleep at the wheel for so long.
— Keith Brill (@KABrill21) December 22, 2024
Herb Hand boy you going crazy already.
— WE LOSING RECIPES ! (@__colinasante) December 22, 2024
Herb Hand hitting the ground running... I like it.
— David the Gnome (@haterofgators82) December 22, 2024
Herb hand seen his room was full of guards & said nahh gotta change that lol
— T1✨ (@DickersonTyrin) December 21, 2024
The 2026 recruiting rankings are nowhere near close to finalized and Xavier Payne doesn't have a ranking yet. However, the fact he has over 20 offers already should tell you all you need to know.
He is 6'7" and 314 pounds, hailing from Orlando, Florida. He has offers from Arkansas, Florida, Miami, Penn State, Syracuse, Tennessee, and others.
Hand hitting the ground running recruiting in-state is a good sign. We already know he's a good developer of talent. I suspect FSU will improve its offensive line in a hurry under his direction.