Few programs were hotter on the recruiting trail this summer than Florida State and Mike Norvell. Despite a highly disappointing 2024 season the field, they closed strong with multiple big signings in the last cycle. And that momentum has carried over into this one as well. The month of June was particularly kind to FSU, […]
Few programs were hotter on the recruiting trail this summer than Florida State and Mike Norvell.
Despite a highly disappointing 2024 season the field, they closed strong with multiple big signings in the last cycle. And that momentum has carried over into this one as well. The month of June was particularly kind to FSU, as 12 players joined FSU’s class and pushed them up into the conversation for a top-10 recruiting class after finishing No. 20 a year ago.
Arguably their two biggest pledges came in the first week of July, though. Rivals top-100 defensive lineman Earnest Rankins spurned offers from Auburn, Georgia, Texas A&M and dozens of others to commit to the ‘Noles. The 6-foot-4, 260-pounder is the nation’s No. 9 defensive lineman and has been a terror for opposing linemen at the high school level.
He was sold on the program’s culture and the opportunity to be part of turning things around after a 2-10 season in 2024.
“If there’s one thing I can say about FSU football that stood out and continues to stick out is, the fight the program that was once a winning program has to rebuild,” he told Rivals’ Chad Simmons. “It’s a story to be told. The staff is a brotherhood just as well as the player core also made them a great pick for me.”
He was joined in the class by another elite prospect just a few days later. Five-star Chauncey Kennon, one of the country’s premier cornerbacks, gave his verbal to FSU over Florida, Miami and a host of other schools. He checks in as the nation’s No. 27 overall prospect and No. 2 CB.
In total, Norvell and Co. are up to 22 commitments in the class — including 13 blue-chippers. Six players rank among the top-250 nationally, and more than half hail from the Sunshine State. And 15 of those 22 pledges came in the months of June and July.
As we head toward the midpoint of August, they sit at No. 15 in the Rivals Industry Team Recruiting Rankings after beating out both Auburn and Ohio State for massive four-star offensive lineman Da’Ron Parks to end the month of July.
Florida State commitments by position
Quarterback
Four-star Jaden O’Neal, No. 281 NATL. (No. 22 QB)
Wide receiver
Four-star Devin Carter, No. 141 NATL. (No. 21 WR)
Four-star Brandon Bennett, No. 272 NATL. (No. 47 WR)
Four-star Jasen Lopez, No. 373 NATL. (No. 57 WR)
Tight end
Four-star Xavier Tiller, No. 163 NATL. (No. 10 TE)
Interior offensive line
Four-star Da’Ron Parks, No. 399 NATL. (No. 37 IOL)
Three-star Jakobe Green, No. 770 NATL. (No. 75 IOL)
Three-star Michael Ionata, No. 1489 NATL. (No. 143 IOL)
Defensive line
Four-star Earnest Rankins, No. 97 NATL. (No. 9 DL)
Three-star Tico Crittendon, No. 471 NATL. (No. 46 DL)
Three-star James Carrington, No. 487 NATL. (No. 50 DL)
Three-star Wihtlley Cadeau, No. 675 NATL. (No. 70 DL)
Three-star Luke Francis, No. 1438 NATL. (No. 133 DL)
Linebacker
Three-star Karon Maycock, No. 634 NATL. (No. 49 LB)
Three-star Noah LaVallee, No. 1213 NATL. (No. 112 LB)
Cornerback
Five-star Chauncey Kennon, No. 27 NATL. (No. 2 CB)
Four-star Lawrence Timmons, No. 154 NATL. (No. 18 CB)
Three-star Sean Johnson, No. 545 NATL. (No. 52 CB)
Safety
Four-star Tedarius Hughes, No. 301 NATL. (No. 25 S)
Four-star Darryl Bell, No. 304 NATL. (No. 26 S)
Athlete
Four-star Efrem White, No. 235 NATL. (No. 8 ATH)
Four-star Darryon Williams, No. 364 NATL. (No. 12 ATH)
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