Uh oh... Four-star defensive back commits to arch-rivals after FSU official visit

FSU FOOTBALL RECRUITING MISS

Fans have seen the Florida State Seminoles' 2026 recruiting class get on a hot streak recently as they have secured fourteen prospects and rank in the top 20, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.

Individuals have criticized the lack of high school recruiting by some of the Seminoles' coaching staff, but it seems like defensive back coaches, Patrick Surtain Sr. and Evan Cooper, have done a solid job in bringing talent to Tallahassee.

However, those coaches cannot have a 100% hit rate as the Seminoles struck out on four-star cornerback target CJ Bronaugh from Windermere, Florida.

THOUGHTS

I want to mention that this is ChopChat and not GatorChat, so I hate giving the weirdos down in Gainesville credit, but Bronaugh is a top-75 prospect and is a good get for their program. I don't want it to seem like this isn't a loss for the coaching staff, but they are prioritizing another highly-touted defender.

It is a bit disheartening that Bronaugh was on an official visit with Florida State. He then de-committed from Nebraska. Fans thought that it could be a good sign for the Seminoles, but he took an unofficial visit with the Florida Gators after.

Florida State has already secured four-star Tre Bell III, four-star Tedarius Hughes, and three-star Sean Johnson in this class. However, they hope to secure five-star cornerback Chauncey Kennon from Sarasota, Florida.

With that said, if Florida State does not land Kennon, then losing out on Bronaugh would be a mistake. Overall, I trust Coach Surtain and Coach Cooper's ability to build their target board and get most of the prospects that they want in the class.

The bad news might not last long, as four-star quarterback target Jaden O'Neal has received a flip crystal ball prediction from Oklahoma to Florida State. This could be a positive update to look forward to (if it does happen).