Florida State flips EDGE Jaemin Pinckney from USF

Dorchester (S.C.) Woodland three-star EDGE Jaemin Pinckney is not following Alex Golesh to Auburn. The USF commit announced on National Signing Day that he’s flipped to Florida State and is signing with the Seminoles.

The 6-foot-5, 220-pounder was pledged to the Bulls since June 17, but is one of many that’s no longer headed to Tampa due to Golesh becoming the next head coach of Auburn. Pinckey is still headed to the Sunshine State, though.

FSU extended an offer to Pinckney back in October. West Virginia was also pushing to get him in the fold heading into NSD.

Pinckney is the No. 540 overall prospect and No. 56 EDGE 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. 10 recruit in the Palmetto State.

He gives Mike Norvell and the Seminoles a 30th commitment this cycle. FSU has the No. 14 recruiting class in the nation, per the Rivals Industry Team Recruiting Rankings.

Florida State now has four EDGE prospects in its 2026 class as Pinckney joins JUCO four-star Jalen Anderson, three-star Damaad Lewis and three-star Chris Carbin, a former Georgia Tech commit.

National Signing Day has also brought FSU a commitment from NFL Academy three-star offensive tackle Nikau Hepi, a former Auburn pledge. A majority of the ‘Noles’ class has already signed with the ACC program. The updated class can be seen here.