Florida State flips 2026 safety Jordan Crutchfield from Kentucky

Fort Pierce (Fla.) Vero Beach three-star safety Jordan Crutchfield has flipped his commitment from Kentucky to Florida State.

He was pledged to the Wildcats since June 11, but is now set to stay in the Sunshine State at the next level, joining an FSU class that ranks inside the top 15 of the Rivals Industry Team Recruiting Rankings.

“Going to Florida State has always been a thought,” Crutchfield told Rivals. “You know, with the way college is right now, you’re always trying to find the best fit for you.”

Why is Florida State the best fit?

“They have one of the greatest cultures in sports. It’s close to home too, so I’ll be able to see my family way more. Overall, it’s an amazing program with the players and history to match.”  

Crutchfield is the No. 469 overall prospect and No. 42 safety 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. 60 recruit in Florida.

The 6-foot-2.5, 195-pounder took an official visit to Tallahassee over the weekend. He now joins a crowded defensive back haul for head coach Mike Norvell and Co

“I heard about the culture. I just wanted to come check it out,” Crutchfield told Warchant. “They made a lot of renovations. I like it. It’s very nice, it’s more spacious. (There is) a lot more to come, so I like the way it’s looking.”

He becomes the fifth listed defensive back in FSU’s class alongside a couple of “athlete” prospects that are also in the mix. The Noles now have 27 total commits with National Signing Day less than two weeks away.

FSU flips another top target

Despite another tumultuous season and uncertainty surrounding the FSU staff, the ACC program continues to recruit well down the stretch this cycle. Crutchfield is the latest addition to a growing class that could push for top-10 status with a few more flips.

Douglasville (Ga.) Douglas County four-star wide receiver Devin Carter is an FSU legacy and flipped back to the Seminoles from Auburn in June. He’s a top-250 recruit and the No. 40 WR in the nation. Mustang (Okla.) four-star quarterback Jaden O’Neal flipped from Oklahoma and now ranks as the No. 25 QB nationally.

Jacksonville Bolles School three-star tight end Corbyn Fordham is also a legacy and he flipped from Ohio State, while Powder Springs (Ga.) Hillgrove three-star EDGE Chris Carbin flipped from Georgia Tech. Earlier this week, FSU landed JUCO four-star EDGE Jalen Anderson, the No. 6 JUCO prospect in the cycle.

The class is buoyed by a pair of top-100 prospects in Sarasota (Fla.) Booker four-star cornerback Chauncey Kennon and Leesburg (Fla.) Tavares four-star linebacker Izayia Williams. Despite his many decommitments and flips, Williams remains an elite recruit and is still the top-ranked LB in the Rivals300. Kennon is now the No. 6 corner in the industry rankings.

The full class, which also ranks No. 2 in the ACC, can be seen here.