FSU has decided to get in the mix for a late-rising defensive line prospect, but the Seminoles are Franklin Whitley's only potential suitors.
Whitley is a big lineman — listed at 6-foot-7, 265 pounds — out of Greenville, South Carolina. His background has been in basketball, and he's been very successful there, but the 3-star prospect has been gaining a lot of steam as a football prospect. So much, in fact, that FSU added its name to his growing list of offers that includes Clemson, South Carolina, Alabama and Auburn.
After a great conversation with @Coach_Knighton I’m happy to announce an offer from @FSUFootball!!!🍢🍢@CoachWatson_48 @GoGettemCC @_DJDaniels @Coach_Norvell @ChadSimmons_ @BrettGreenberg_ @GoGettemCC @Rivals @On3sports @247Sports pic.twitter.com/mMPieZG9Rx
— franklin.whitley (@rozzell_3) October 8, 2025
This is an interesting prospect. I'm always a fan of big men that have some time in basketball because their footwork is usually strong and, in the case of Whitley, their length is usually plus-level compared to similar prospects.
But FSU is coming into this recruitment late, so just getting Whitley on campus would be an accomplishment. There's been no announcement of his making the trip to Tallahassee this weekend for the Pitt game, and the next opportunity won't be until November 1 against Wake Forest. Let's see if Whitley remains a target by then as Whitley will take an official visit to Alabama the week before.
(UPDATE: 247Sports announces that Whitley will take an official visit to Tallahassee this weekend)
6-foot-7, 265-pound DL expected to take OV to FSU this weekend https://t.co/8A8m8FS0RS
— Noles247.com (@Noles247) October 9, 2025
My thoughts: FSU still looking for line help
I'm curious if the Seminoles are recruiting Whitley to play on the defensive line or offensive line. If I were a betting man, I would bet they would be more curious about the latter. Whitney has the size and length to be a tackle. When you add in basketball-level footwork, this is the sort of prospect worth taking a flyer on, even if he can't offer immediate help.
Between this recruitment and FSU picking up the pace on Florida commit Heze Kent, a 300-pound "tight end", I believe the staff is looking at alternate routes to get a player they might project as an offensive tackle. It's worth a try, but disappointing that we're in mid-October and the offensive tackle situation hasn't been resolved yet.