Thoughts on FSU linebacker target Rodney Colton Jr. committing to Colorado

Might be a blessing in disguise.
2025 Big 12 Football Media Days
2025 Big 12 Football Media Days | Stacy Revere/GettyImages

FSU football coaches have two solid linebacker commits in its 2026 recruiting class. One of those commits is as solid as a rock (Noah LaVallee), and another (Karon Maycock) might be shaky.

FSU needs one more linebacker in its recruiting class and in the mix for two players, Rodney Colton Jr. and Duyon Forkpa Jr.

Colton Jr. announced his commitment to Deion Sanders and Colorado over FSU and Ole Miss. The late smoke had Colton Jr. favoring Ole Miss after taking official visits to FSU, Ole Miss, Colorado, Penn State, and UCLA.

The fact that he chose a team like Colorado, which has never had a good defense under Deion Sanders, was a head-scratcher.

Colorado has nine commitments now (counting Colton Jr.), and ranks No. 79 nationally.

Duyon Forkpa Jr. was going to announce his commitment this weekend, but decided to push it back. He took official visits to FSU, Florida, Miami, Michigan, and North Carolina. The latest smoke is he'll choose Florida, but we'll see if that comes to fruition.

Forkpa is the higher-ranked of the two players. Maybe Forkpa pushing his commitment date back helps FSU? He reportedly loved his official visit, but these recruitments probably have more to do with how much these coaching staffs value these players.

FSU isn't going to get into a bidding war and overpay for a high school player. The Noles took two linebackers in the last recruiting cycle and have more pressing needs, like landing a true offensive tackle in this recruiting cycle.

We'll see if they can land Forkpa Jr. If not they can probably circle back on Colton Jr. because I don't expect Colorado to be good at all on the field this year.