Mike Norvell stays hot with another in-state commit, Meshi Dobson, joining FSU’s 2027 class

After taking 34 high school players in the 2026 cycle, the plan was always for Florida State’s 2027 class to be much lighter. However, Seminoles fans could be forgiven for their growing frustrations with the class, which until last week ranked outside the top 50 in the country. 

However, the head coach on the hottest seat in college football heading into 2026 is now on one of the hottest streaks on the recruiting trail after landing four-star edge rusher Meshi Dobson on Wednesday afternoon. The Cypress Bay High School product also reclassified from 2028 to 2027, becoming the Seminoles’ 17th commit and lifting their ranking to No. 35 in the country. 

Dobson’s announcement comes on the heels of last week’s commitment spree, which included 2027 four-star safeties Za’Kari Johnson and Ta’Shawn Poole, 2027 kicker Vance Fones, and 2028 three-star tight end Troy Silberzahn. 

Florida State lands commitment from in-state 3-star EDGE Meshi Dobson

At 6-foot-3, 235 pounds, Dobson told Zach Blostein of 247Sports that FSU wants him to play ‘d-end and linebacker’ in Tony White’s 3-3-5 system. Dobson finished his sophomore season at Cypress Bay with 72 tackles, 31 tackles for loss, and 14 sacks. That level of production has helped raise his stock. 

Dobson chose the Noles over Syracuse and Miami, and along with being a big win for Norvell, is another feather in the cap of first-year edge rusher coach Nick Williams, who has become a star in-state recruiter. 

Mike Norvell has to hope Nick Williams’ in-state success isn’t too little too late

One of the biggest criticisms of Norvell’s previous six years in Tallahassee has been his and his staff’s inability to effectively tap the rich talent base in Florida. Williams, a native of Bainbridge, Georgia who spent time on Kirby Smart’s staff in Athens, understands what it takes to recruit in the Sunshine State, and has done it well, landing commitments from four-star EDGE Anthony Cavallaro from Indian Rocks Christian School in Largo, Florida and Jaxon Holly, a three-star from across the border in Georgia. 

“He's got very good morals, and he's not just a coach to me, he's a very good, excellent role model to me," he said. "He does his job to look out for me. He sends me film on what I need to be learning and what I need to be doing to get better. He sent me some moves and skills that I never knew,” Dobson told Blostein of Williams. 

The renewed in-state efforts, not just with hires like Williams but with a new front office led by general manager John Garrett, have been meaningful. FSU has seven in-state commits in its 17-player 2027 class, along with six from Georgia. That’s not the level it needs to be at for the Seminoles to return to their place as a dominant force in the ACC and the powerhouse program in the state, but it’s another step in the right direction after 17 of last year’s 34 commits came from Florida. 

There are two problems, however. First is the quality of in-state recruits the Noles are landing. Florida State added just one of the top 25 players in the state in 2026 and doesn’t have a commitment from any of the top 25 in-state recruits in this cycle (per 247Sports rankings). Second is the timing of these resurgent in-state efforts. 

For Norvell, it may be too little too late. His 2027 class is coming together nicely considering the circumstances and his uncertain future. Garrett and the front office have clearly made a strong pitch to get these players to buy in, and hopefully that sticks through the early signing period when Norvell may or may not be around. But even if it does, 2027 commits won’t affect this year’s roster, and this is a make-or-break season for Norvell.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow