Florida State Bolsters Defensive Backfield with Elite 2028 Prospects
Florida State University’s football program has made a decisive move in its defensive backfield, landing four‑star safety Ta’Shawn Poole and four‑star cornerback Za’Kari Johnson in the latest recruiting cycle. The additions come as the Seminoles also secured three‑star safety Jemari Foreman, completing a targeted overhaul of the secondary.
The momentum didn’t stop there. Rising junior Ca’Ron Williams, a 6‑foot‑2 prospect from California, announced his scholarship offer from Florida State this week, joining a list of suitors that includes LSU, Penn State, Notre Dame, Alabama, Michigan, Texas and Oklahoma. Williams posted 47 tackles, two tackles for loss, four pass deflections and three interceptions during his sophomore season, earning the No. 18 ranking among cornerbacks in the 2028 class.
Looking Ahead
Coaches view Williams as a potential anchor for a unit that already boasts top‑ranked recruits Poole and Johnson. With the Seminoles’ 2028 class now holding two verbal commitments and sitting at No. 7 nationally, the staff is positioning itself as a premier destination for elite defensive backs.
Beyond the headline signees, the program continues to evaluate additional talent in the 2026 defensive backfield, including players such as Ashlynd Barker, Donny Hiebert, Quindarrius Jones and others who could further deepen the roster. The strategic focus on both immediate impact and long‑term development reflects a broader ambition to sustain competitiveness in the ACC and national rankings.