Florida State Seminoles are reshaping their 2027 recruiting class, currently sitting at No. 28 in the national rankings, as head coach Mike Norvell seeks to climb the leaderboard.
Recruiting Landscape
The Seminoles have already secured six verbal pledges, among them three‑star tight end Connor Winn, three‑star defensive end Anthony Cavallaro, four‑star linebacker Gregory Batson, four‑star defensive back Mekhi Williams, and three‑star defensive backs Jemari Foreman and DaYon Cooper.
A Prospect at the Center of the Class
Among the high‑profile targets, four‑star linebacker Frederrick Ford stands out as a centerpiece of the class.
Official Visit and Commitment Outlook
Ford, a native of Mississippi, has listed Florida State among his top five schools alongside Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Tennessee and LSU, and he is slated to take an official visit to Tallahassee from June 5 through June 7.
Building a Defensive Core
Coach Nick Williams, who has been scouting the prospect, noted that Ford’s physical frame makes him an ideal fit for the JACK linebacker spot and that the Seminoles envision him playing off the EDGE at the next level. During his junior season, Ford recorded 60 tackles, three sacks, two forced fumbles, eight pass deflections and three interceptions, earning him the No. 268 overall prospect ranking, the No. 21 linebacker spot in the nation and the tenth‑best recruit in Mississippi for the 2027 class.
The Seminoles’ defensive depth also includes returning linebackers such as Omar Graham Jr., Mikai Gbayor, AJ Cottrill, Blake Nichelson, Caleb LaVallee, Brandon Torrest, Chris Jones, Chris Thomas, Ethan Pritchard, Izayia Williams, Karon Mayock, Daylen Green and Noah LaVallee, who are all expected to contribute in the upcoming season.
With the official visits on the horizon and a growing list of commitments, Florida State hopes to improve on a class that, according to current projections, would be the lowest‑ranked of Mike Norvell’s tenure.