UH OH!! Assistant coach Chris Thomsen snags a talented tight end in the 2026 cycle

Another dynamic player in the fold for Florida State.
FSU tight ends coach Chris Thomsen at the FSU National Signing Day Party on Feb. 5, 2020.

Img 4519
FSU tight ends coach Chris Thomsen at the FSU National Signing Day Party on Feb. 5, 2020. Img 4519 | Wayne McGahee III/Democrat, Tallahassee Democrat via Imagn Content Services, LLC

BUY FSU RECRUITING

I know the stock market is something that fluctuates over time, where there will be gains and losses, but I don't think Florida State football recruiting knows what it feels like to suffer catastrophic defeats.

The 2-10 season happened. There is nothing that you can do now other than learn from the mistakes and turn the page. Head football coach Mike Norvell went into the offseason and attacked it in a way that I never imagined with giving the keys to the offense to veteran coach Gus Malzahn.

Some individuals have been skeptical of Norvell, and the "hot seat" discussion comes up more with him than with any other coach. However, he has stayed the course and remains who he is. One concern that fans had was high school recruiting.

TALENTED TIGHT END COMMITS TO THE NOLES

Norvell was thought to "focus on transfers more than high schoolers". Well... he secured a commitment from a four-star wide receiver, Devin Carter, from Douglasville, Georgia.

Now he has just landed four-star tight end Xavier Tiller from Langston Hughes High School in Fairburn, Georgia. Assistant coach Chris Thomsen has so much talent at the tight end position with Randy Pittman Jr., Landen Thomas, Amaree Williams (hybrid defensive end), and Chase Loftin.

I didn't think that Tiller would commit so soon since his announcement date wasn't until July. However, the Seminoles captured his pledge over schools such as Alabama and Auburn.

Nonetheless, Florida State football now ranks as the 10th-best recruiting class, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. While I know that we are six months away from the December Signing Period, I believe that the Seminoles are determined to put a stamp on the 2025 season to ensure that the majority of them sign and make the Garnet and Gold a reality.

This was an excellent addition by the coaching staff. Hats off to them for getting the job done!