2026 DL James Carrington decommits from Florida State

Irvine (Calif.) Crean Lutheran three-star defensive lineman James “Tank” Carrington has decommitted from Florida State, he announced on Thursday afternoon.

He was pledged to the Seminoles since June 16, when he chose the ACC program after taking an official visit to Tallahassee.

“I want to thank Florida State and the awesome coaching staff for giving me the opportunity. I’ve decided to decommit from FSU. Much respect to everyone there who believed in me throughout my journey,” Carrington wrote on X announcing his decision.

Carrington is the No. 487 overall prospect and No. 50 DL in the 2026 cycle, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 42 player in California.

His decommitment leaves FSU with three DL pledges in its 2026 class. The Seminoles currently have the nation’s No. 15 class, per the Rivals Industry Team Recruiting Rankings.

Plenty of national powers have previously offered Carrington, with the likes of Oregon and USC being programs that have stood out in the past. FSU capitalized after getting him on campus for an OV on the weekend of June 13. That led to a commitment just a few days later.

“To me what really stood out was the connection or brotherhood throughout the team and really within the defense of line room, most to all of the defensive of line showed up to the events throughout the weekend to show their support for all players,” Carrington told Rivals’ Steve Wiltfong about his summer decision.

The 6-foot-2, 240-pounder is now back on the board ahead of his senior season at Crean Lutheran. Carrington previously played for Nevada powerhouse Bishop Gorman.

FSU loses member of 2026 class

Carrington was one of many who chose the Seminoles in June. Head coach Mike Norvell and Co. now have 21 commits in their 2026 class but remain in position to push for top-10 status this fall.

A trio of Peach State D-linemen remain in the mix: Cedar Grove four-star Earnest Rankins, Lithonia three-star Tico Crittendon and Booker T. Washington three-star Wihtlley Cadeau. Rankins is the No. 9 DL and a top-100 prospect in the nation.

Sarasota (Fla.) Booker five-star cornerback Chauncey Kennon continues to headline the class, checking in as the No. 27 overall prospect and No. 2 corner in the nation. He chose FSU on July 6 and is one of 11 in-state commits in the class to date.

FSU went on an impressive run of flips this summer, too. Douglasville (Ga.) Douglas County four-star wide receiver Devin Carter (Auburn), Pittsburgh Pine-Richland four-star CB Lawrence Timmons, Fairburn (Ga.) Langston Hughes four-star tight end Xavier Tiller and Mustang (Okla.) four-star quarterback Jaden O’Neal are among those who have backed off other pledges to join the fold in Tallahassee.