FSU has six commitments for the class of 2026. As we already know commitments this early are at best 50/50 propositions. FSU class is ranked #8 in the team rankings for Rivals.com. They are led by five star quarterback Brady Smiegiel. The talented signal caller pulled the trigger for FSU in June. FSU really needs to hold on to Smigiel as he is the highest rated quarterback to commit to FSU since Jameis Winston. FSU also holds commitments from Xavier Payne (3-Star) OT from Orlando Jones HS, Tedarius Hughes (3-Star) DB from South Dade, Wide Receiver Darryon Williams from (4-Star) Tampa Plant, Athlete Efrem White (4-Star) Vero Beach and Defensive Back Darryl Bell (4-Star) Goleman HS. So we will look at prospects who have been offered by FSU and would be at the top of our wish list for the 2026 recruiting class.
1) TE-Kaiden Protho - Bowden HS (Bowden, GA) 6'6-210 - Protho is at the top of my list of prospects that FSU should go after. He is a big, long, athletic athlete. You watch him run and it so natural for him. He does a great job of getting in and out of his routes. He has very good hands. He makes it look easy. With his size and athletic ability, Protho is a tough out for any defender. He was offered early by FSU and they will try and stay in his recruitment through spring football.
2) Derrek Cooper - Chaminade Madonna-Chaminade Prep (Hollywood, FL) 6'1-200 - The good news is Cooper is not part of the SFE. Saw him this weekend at a 7 on 7 event and he was one of the best athletes at the event. He plays running back but Cooper could play safety or linebacker at the next level. He reminds me of Derrick Henry in HS. Most felt Henry would be a defensive player in college and we have seen how that has turned out. Cooper is in the same boat. Most feel defense is where he will make a name for himself.
3) Calvin Russell - Miami Northwestern - (Miami, FL) 6'5-210- Russell reminds me of a more athletic version of Rodney Smith. He is a big and can run. He also has very good hands. Guys with his size you also don't see the type of body control this kid has. He wins 50/50 balls because of how well Russell attacks the football in the air. FSU is going to get a legit shot at landing Russell. He already stated he wants to get away from Miami. Oregon will be one of the main threats.
4) Dorian Barney -Peachtree Ridge - (Suwanee, GA) 6'1-155- Love this kids film. He is very aggressive on defense. You will see him swarm to the football. You want guys who play fast, turn on the film. He is someone that always seems like he is running faster than everyone else to the ball. Barney has the size and length you want in a defensive back. He has the range to play multiple positions on defense. We could see him line up at corner, slot, safety. Just sign him and worry about where to play him once on campus.
5) Amari Clemons-Marianna (Marianna, FL) 5'10-190- FSU needs to continue to upgrade the speed on their football team. The one thing Amari seems to have plenty of is, speed. He pulls away from defenders on the football field. He is someone that can be used in a Toafili role. You can line him up at multiple positions on offense.
6) Isaac Jensen-MIllard South (Omaha, NE) 6'6-205-Can FSU go to Nebraska two years in a row and land one of the top prospects. Jensen is another big kid. He can be used as an in line blocker. He can help set the edge on run plays. He gives you a big target in the passing game. Jensen is supposedly friends with Chase Loftin.
7) Emanuel Tucker-New Albany HS (New Albany, MS) 6'5-290- FSU went into Mississippi last year and landed Mario Nash. Can they do it two years in a row? Tucker has FSU high on his list of schools. He is part of the new trend of big guys FSU is recruiting. He can play tackle but it would not shock us to see him move inside to guard in college.
8) Ben Congdon -Tuscarawas Valley-(Zoar, OH) 6'7 270-Not going to lie, I like the fact that Herb Hand is dipping his feet in the water up in Ohio. It is a state that produces a ton of quality offensive lineman. Just look at the MAC and how many quality lineman play in that league. Congdon would be the first OL FSU landed from Ohio since Zebrie Sanders. I wanted FSU to recruit bigger guys, Congdon is 6'7.
9) Joel Ervin - Fort Myers HS (Fort Myers, FL) 6'6-280 -Ervin was offered early by FSU. He fits the criteria of what FSU needs at OT. He is 6'6, 280 pounds. He has the frame to add the needed weight. He is a kid with very impressive upside. He has not even come close to filling out his potential. Look for FSU to go hard for Ervin.
10) Michael Ionata-Clearwater Christian -(Clearwater) 6'6-290 - I feel FSU made a mistake not going after Michael brother. I don't think they make the same mistake again. Michael has more upside than his brother Joseph. I feel Joseph was just more polished at the same time. It will be interesting to see how this kid’s recruitment goes.
11) Corbyn Fordham-The Bolles School-(Jacksonville, FL) 6'4-215-(Committed to Ohio State) - Corbyn committed recently to Ohio State. It is going to be tough to pull a kid who committed to the team that won the National Championship. Reality is Ohio State does not use the tight ends all that much. Fordham is supposed to take a visit to FSU. If that happens, we expect them to be in the picture.
12) Somourian Wingo - St. Augustine (Saint Augustine, FL) 6'2-175- Wingo is one of the more underrated players in Florida. He has size. He also gives you some speed on the edge. He is a natural athlete. You watch him on film or in person and the game seems to come easy to him. FSU is going to have to battle UF and other top programs for his services.
13) Davian Groce-Lone Star (Frisco, TX) 6'1-190 - Texas is going to be a tough state to pull players from. The good thing is Groce looks like is considering schools like SMU and OU right now. FSU should be able to go head to head with those programs. Groce looks good on film. He has a smooth running style. He is able to find daylight and pull away from defenders. You can use him on special teams. He waste little motion getting into the open field. He is able to make the first defender miss.
Final Thoughts: As you know recruiting is fluid. Someone on this list today may be gone next week. These are guys FSU has offered and we feel they will target throughout spring football. Last year FSU had many targets who they looked good for until the season played out. With a turnaround season in 2025, this year’s class should be much improved.
1) TE-Kaiden Protho - Bowden HS (Bowden, GA) 6'6-210 - Protho is at the top of my list of prospects that FSU should go after. He is a big, long, athletic athlete. You watch him run and it so natural for him. He does a great job of getting in and out of his routes. He has very good hands. He makes it look easy. With his size and athletic ability, Protho is a tough out for any defender. He was offered early by FSU and they will try and stay in his recruitment through spring football.
2) Derrek Cooper - Chaminade Madonna-Chaminade Prep (Hollywood, FL) 6'1-200 - The good news is Cooper is not part of the SFE. Saw him this weekend at a 7 on 7 event and he was one of the best athletes at the event. He plays running back but Cooper could play safety or linebacker at the next level. He reminds me of Derrick Henry in HS. Most felt Henry would be a defensive player in college and we have seen how that has turned out. Cooper is in the same boat. Most feel defense is where he will make a name for himself.
3) Calvin Russell - Miami Northwestern - (Miami, FL) 6'5-210- Russell reminds me of a more athletic version of Rodney Smith. He is a big and can run. He also has very good hands. Guys with his size you also don't see the type of body control this kid has. He wins 50/50 balls because of how well Russell attacks the football in the air. FSU is going to get a legit shot at landing Russell. He already stated he wants to get away from Miami. Oregon will be one of the main threats.
4) Dorian Barney -Peachtree Ridge - (Suwanee, GA) 6'1-155- Love this kids film. He is very aggressive on defense. You will see him swarm to the football. You want guys who play fast, turn on the film. He is someone that always seems like he is running faster than everyone else to the ball. Barney has the size and length you want in a defensive back. He has the range to play multiple positions on defense. We could see him line up at corner, slot, safety. Just sign him and worry about where to play him once on campus.
5) Amari Clemons-Marianna (Marianna, FL) 5'10-190- FSU needs to continue to upgrade the speed on their football team. The one thing Amari seems to have plenty of is, speed. He pulls away from defenders on the football field. He is someone that can be used in a Toafili role. You can line him up at multiple positions on offense.
6) Isaac Jensen-MIllard South (Omaha, NE) 6'6-205-Can FSU go to Nebraska two years in a row and land one of the top prospects. Jensen is another big kid. He can be used as an in line blocker. He can help set the edge on run plays. He gives you a big target in the passing game. Jensen is supposedly friends with Chase Loftin.
7) Emanuel Tucker-New Albany HS (New Albany, MS) 6'5-290- FSU went into Mississippi last year and landed Mario Nash. Can they do it two years in a row? Tucker has FSU high on his list of schools. He is part of the new trend of big guys FSU is recruiting. He can play tackle but it would not shock us to see him move inside to guard in college.
8) Ben Congdon -Tuscarawas Valley-(Zoar, OH) 6'7 270-Not going to lie, I like the fact that Herb Hand is dipping his feet in the water up in Ohio. It is a state that produces a ton of quality offensive lineman. Just look at the MAC and how many quality lineman play in that league. Congdon would be the first OL FSU landed from Ohio since Zebrie Sanders. I wanted FSU to recruit bigger guys, Congdon is 6'7.
9) Joel Ervin - Fort Myers HS (Fort Myers, FL) 6'6-280 -Ervin was offered early by FSU. He fits the criteria of what FSU needs at OT. He is 6'6, 280 pounds. He has the frame to add the needed weight. He is a kid with very impressive upside. He has not even come close to filling out his potential. Look for FSU to go hard for Ervin.
10) Michael Ionata-Clearwater Christian -(Clearwater) 6'6-290 - I feel FSU made a mistake not going after Michael brother. I don't think they make the same mistake again. Michael has more upside than his brother Joseph. I feel Joseph was just more polished at the same time. It will be interesting to see how this kid’s recruitment goes.
11) Corbyn Fordham-The Bolles School-(Jacksonville, FL) 6'4-215-(Committed to Ohio State) - Corbyn committed recently to Ohio State. It is going to be tough to pull a kid who committed to the team that won the National Championship. Reality is Ohio State does not use the tight ends all that much. Fordham is supposed to take a visit to FSU. If that happens, we expect them to be in the picture.
12) Somourian Wingo - St. Augustine (Saint Augustine, FL) 6'2-175- Wingo is one of the more underrated players in Florida. He has size. He also gives you some speed on the edge. He is a natural athlete. You watch him on film or in person and the game seems to come easy to him. FSU is going to have to battle UF and other top programs for his services.
13) Davian Groce-Lone Star (Frisco, TX) 6'1-190 - Texas is going to be a tough state to pull players from. The good thing is Groce looks like is considering schools like SMU and OU right now. FSU should be able to go head to head with those programs. Groce looks good on film. He has a smooth running style. He is able to find daylight and pull away from defenders. You can use him on special teams. He waste little motion getting into the open field. He is able to make the first defender miss.
Final Thoughts: As you know recruiting is fluid. Someone on this list today may be gone next week. These are guys FSU has offered and we feel they will target throughout spring football. Last year FSU had many targets who they looked good for until the season played out. With a turnaround season in 2025, this year’s class should be much improved.
