Three 2026 prospects that Seminole fans need to monitor this weekend

Three 2026 prospects that Florida State fans should monitor.

Sep 28, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Florida State Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell looks on during the second quarter against the Southern Methodist Mustangs at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Sep 28, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Florida State Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell looks on during the second quarter against the Southern Methodist Mustangs at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
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DE ZAVION GRIFFIN-HAYNES

Florida State has to replace three of its four starting defensive linemen from a season ago. The talk of the last offseason was how talented the position group was before it fell flat on its face. ESPN's Pete Thamel discussed how NFL scouts even thought that the Seminoles had one of the best defensive lines in the country.

The Seminoles decided to hire a new defensive coordinator, Tony White, and a new defensive line coach, Terrance Knighton. The defense should look really different in the new 3-3-5 scheme.

The defensive end position will be vital in terms of the defense's success. Great defenses should be able to get after the opposing quarterback. Other than Patrick Payton, Florida State hasn't had a recruit make a significant difference during the Norvell era.

This needs to change. One name that I think could be the solution to the problem is five-star defensive end Zavion Griffin-Haynes from Rolesville, North Carolina. He has a frame that is listed at 6'6" and 230 pounds and is a two-sport athlete with playing basketball.

He has offers from schools such as Georgia, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Ole Miss, Penn State, South Carolina, Tennessee, Miami, and Auburn. Florida State will have to do its best to compete with those institutions.

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