The 2027 recruiting cycle has been a challenge for Mike Norvell and his staff. Even with a revamped front office, led by general manager John Garrett, the Seminoles have just 12 commits in place and the 57th-ranked class in the country. They do, however, have a bit of positive momentum.
That came courtesy of three-star linebacker CJ Ohuabunwa, who chose the Seminoles over Virginia Tech, Louisville, and Kansas. While he’s not the most highly-rated, Ohuabunwa is a uniquely good fit for defensive coordinator Tony White’s 3-3-5 defensive structure.
FSU is fighting an uphill battle with concerns about Norvell’s job security, and a glaring lack of resources as the big money donors appear to be gearing up to pay his buyout, rather than funding a bid for a turnaround. Still, things are trending in a more positive direction, and with three major recruiting battles set to be decided this week, Florida State could be on the verge of a real hot streak. That is, if all three go its way.
At this point, that looks to be a real possibility. It may even be probable. So, here are the three FSU targets making their announcements this week who could be the next three commits in the Noles' 2027 class.
1. Sam LeJeune, DL, 4-star
Ranked No. 119 in the 2027 class by the 247Sports Composite, Sam LeJeune would immediately become FSU’s highest-ranked commit if he chooses the Seminoles on Wednesday evening. The 6-foot-3, 280-pound defensive lineman from Poplarville, Mississippi, took an official visit to Tallahassee on June 12, and though Norvell didn’t immediately convert that trip into a commitment, multiple outlets have predicted that LeJeune will pick Florida State.
2. Ta’Shawn Poole, S, 4-star
While there has been positive momentum for Florida State, the Noles have taken quite a few hits in the secondary. First, former top-ranked commit Mekhi Williams flipped to Wisconsin, then Dayon Cooper opted to play wide receiver at Tennessee rather than become a defensive back in Tallahassee.
Those losses have made Ta’Shawn Poole an even bigger priority, and if he chooses FSU on Thursday, when he’s scheduled to make his announcement, he’d immediately leapfrog LeJeune as the top-ranked commit in the class. At No. 64 overall, the 6-foot-2, 185-pound Macon, Georgia, product is the type of blue-chip talent Norvell needs to save his job.
Kirby Smart snagged a last-minute official visit from Poole, which may have stifled Florida State’s momentum here, but the Noles are still in a strong position to beat out Georgia and Tennessee.
3. Marquis Fennell, RB, 3-star
With Mike Norvell back calling plays, presumably for the rest of his tenure in Tallahassee, however long that may be, versatile backfield threats like Marquis Fennell will be a key to making things work. The 5-foot-10, 175-pound three-star from Valdosta, Georgia, plays both running back and wide receiver, but the Seminoles want him in the backfield, and with his commitment coming up on Thursday, it seems they’re about to get him.
Multiple predictions have been logged for Fennell to choose the Noles, and though Georgia Tech has pushed, there’s little reason to believe that has changed.
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