With a 1-1 record to start the season and a hot seat under coach Mike Norvell, Florida State recruiting targets have plenty to think about two weeks in. Multiple recruits have spoken out about the situation in support of Norvell, while a commitment may already be out the door already.
The Seminoles have a full plate during the bye week, with plenty of clear issues on the field that need to be improved upon, and bizarre circumstances that included a power outage, a dribble crossover move, and Norvell finally calling upon his quarterback to improve. Florida State will not be able to clear up every issue that surrounds the program in one week, but there are a few notable recruiting situations that might be considered.
2027 FSU commitment Za'Kari Johnson
Four-star defensive back Za'Kari Johnson is currently the biggest recruiting concern for Florida State as his relationship with the Miami Hurricanes continues to grow. Johnson was originally a 2028 class recruit before reclassifying into the 2027 class, and his decision altered which programs went after him. The Seminoles quickly scooped up a commitment from Johnson, but the road since has been nothing but rocky.
Johnson visited College Station to meet with Texas A&M before traveling to Miami to watch the Hurricanes play against Florida A&M. Johnson has said time and time again that the Hurricanes are a program he has always been a massive fan of, and the commitment flip seems to be just a matter of time.
One thing that could potentially help Florida State retain the commitment of Johnson is the loaded recruiting class Miami has. The Hurricanes pushed hard for Johnson when he was a 2028 recruit, but five commitments in the 2027 class in the secondary mean somebody would need to jump ship. The Seminoles might be able to hold onto Johnson purely because there is no room for him to commit to Miami, which is not exactly the best look for Norvell as a recruiter.
2027 FSU commitment Ta'Shawn Poole
On a much more positive note for Florida State, four-star safety commitment Ta'Shawn Poole is set to visit for at least two more games during the season. Poole has already planned out what he needs to work on the most before hitting campus in a few months, and his signing in December seems more and more like a sure thing.
2027 Nebraska commitment Errol Demontagnac
Norvell has been working on flipping multiple 2027 class recruits, and one such target was in the building for the loss to SMU. Nebraska defensive line commitment Errol Demontagnac needed to see a sound performance from the Seminoles to grow closer, but the team was unable to deliver. The Armwood product once displayed interest in Florida State, but a lot more than a hard-fought loss will need to be showcased to force the commitment flip.
2027 Nebraska commitment Timi Aliu
Demontagnac is not the only Nebraska commitment Florida State has been trying to flip, but no ground is being made with either recruit. Aliu left his Week 0 visit with a positive outlook on the Seminoles, while asserting that his commitment to Nebraska is still solid.
The big offensive lineman is now scheduled to visit the Florida Gators, and if Aliu flips to the Gators after visiting Tallahassee to start the season, that would be a difficult look for Norvell. Aliu is one of the few offensive linemen in the 2027 cycle with whom Florida State has a close relationship. Losing out on Aliu means Norvell will need to start from square one if adding an offensive lineman is truly a priority in the 2027 class.
2028 OL target Nation Farmer
Florida State certainly needs offensive line help in either the 2027 class or the transfer portal before hitting the field next season. However, the Seminoles also need to prevent the situation regarding the line from happening again, and getting a jump on the 2028 class is an easy way to do so.
Norvell currently has commitments in the 2028 cycle from three-star recruits Chayse Brown and Troy Silberzahn, but a splash commitment from one of the top players in the state is a good way to bring hope to the offensive line. Florida State hosted IMG Academy offensive tackle Nation Farmer against SMU, and despite the circumstances, Farmer had a positive outlook on his time in Tallahassee.
Florida State will need to continue to keep a close eye on Farmer moving forward due to the number of programs interested. Farmer has expressed an interest in staying close to home for college, which bodes well for the Seminoles, but the big issue at the moment is in Tennessee. The Volunteers are considered to be the leaders for Farmer by a wide margin, and given the state of the program at the moment, Norvell would need an incredible pitch to make Farmer think twice.
2028 DL target Prince Che
The Seminoles have been heavily pursuing some of the top recruits in the 2028 cycle, and four-star defensive lineman Prince Che is the prize of the bunch. Che is a dynamic game-changing player, and his recruitment is currently wide open, with Clemson and Florida leading the way narrowly.
Che is the type of commitment that can help Norvell gain momentum in the 2028 class, and quiet some of the doubters. Florida State would need to really work hard on Che to move ahead of programs like Georgia, Clemson, Florida, and Texas, but the Seminoles have not been shut out yet, which offers some hope.
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