2026 4-star CB Jaelen Waters commits to Florida State Seminoles

Seffner (Fla.) Armwood 2026 four-star cornerback Jaelen Waters has committed to the Florida State Seminoles, he tells On3. He chose the ‘Noles over LSU and Alabama.

Waters said the environment and the culture in Tallahassee made him feel at home. FSU had been Waters’ top school ever since getting to high school, he said, and being in-state played a big part in that.

“I wanna stay in Florida and Florida State is the right fit for me,” Waters told On3. “Coach (Mike) Norvell is my guy! I also committed (because) FSU showed a different love no other school showed me before. It’s more than just football there, it’s a brotherhood.”

Waters’ relationship with head coach Mike Norvell also played a big part. He said that Norvell is “building something special” with a program that can compete for championships.

“I love that off the field, he is gonna treat me like a son and on the field he coaches me to my fullest potential,” Waters said. “He told me this once, ‘It’s gonna be days where you’re gonna like me and there are gonna be days when you don’t.”

Waters also praised defensive backs coach Patrick Surtain Sr.

“I love how coach Suratain coaches,” Waters said. “Also, I can’t be more excited to get coached by someone who played in the league for 11 years and also his son’s doing a great job right now.”

Waters is the nation’s No. 166 overall prospect, No. 14 cornerback and No. 28 recruit from Florida in the 2025 cycle according to the On3 Industry Ranking — a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

He ranks No. 157 overall in the 2026 On300.