Florida State Recruiting: Seminoles chasing top-10 class with latest commitment

Few programs have been hotter over the past month on the recruiting trail 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 have come 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.

As we head toward the end of July, they sit at No. 14 in the Rivals Industry Team Recruiting Rankings after beating out both Auburn and Ohio State for massive four-star offensive lineman Da’Ron Parks.

Florida State commitments by position

Quarterback
Four-star Jaden O’Neal, No. 282 NATL. (No. 22 QB)

Wide receiver
Four-star Devin Carter, No. 142 NATL. (No. 21 WR)
Four-star Brandon Bennett, No. 273 NATL. (No. 47 WR)
Four-star Jasen Lopez, No. 374 NATL. (No. 57 WR)

Tight end
Four-star Xavier Tiller, No. 164 NATL. (No. 10 TE)

Interior offensive line

Four-star Da’Ron Parks, No. 400 NATL. (No. 37 IOL)
Three-star Jakobe Green, No. 764 NATL. (No. 75 IOL)
Three-star Michael Ionata, No. 1488 NATL. (No. 144 IOL)

Defensive line
Four-star Earnest Rankins, No. 98 NATL. (No. 9 DL)
Three-star Tico Crittendon, No. 471 NATL. (No. 46 DL)
Three-star James Carrington, No. 486 NATL. (No. 50 DL)
Three-star Wihtlley Cadeau, No. 672 NATL. (No. 70 DL)
Three-star Luke Francis, No. 1437 NATL. (No. 134 DL)

Linebacker
Three-star Karon Maycock, No. 631 NATL. (No. 48 LB)
Three-star Noah LaVallee, No. 1206 NATL. (No. 111 LB)

Cornerback
Five-star Chauncey Kennon, No. 27 NATL. (No. 2 CB)
Four-star Lawrence Timmons, No. 155 NATL. (No. 18 CB)
Three-star Sean Johnson, No. 544 NATL. (No. 52 CB)

Safety
Four-star Tedarius Hughes, No. 302 NATL. (No. 25 S)
Four-star Darryl Bell, No. 305 NATL. (No. 26 S)

Athlete
Four-star Efrem White, No. 236 NATL. (No. 8 ATH)
Four-star Darryon Williams, No. 365 NATL. (No. 12 ATH)