Florida State has landed a seismic recruiting coup that is already shaking up the national college football landscape. In a joint announcement that sent shockwaves through the recruiting world, twin four-star prospects Mandrell and Darryll Desir officially committed to Florida State, turning down high-profile offers from Alabama and Notre Dame in the process.
The brothers, two of the most coveted athletes in the 2025 class, made their decision public on Friday morning during a live televised interview. Seated side by side and sporting garnet and gold hats, the Desir twins delivered the news with a level of confidence and clarity that spoke volumes about the depth of their connection to the Seminoles program.
“Florida State just felt right,” said Mandrell Desir, a versatile wide receiver and electric return specialist ranked in the top 50 nationally by multiple outlets. “We’ve prayed about this, talked about it as a family, and in the end, Tallahassee just felt like home. The energy, the culture, the coaching staff — everything lined up.”
Darryll, a powerful and athletic linebacker who has drawn comparisons to former Seminole great Telvin Smith, echoed his brother’s sentiments.
“We visited a lot of schools, met a lot of great people, but Coach Norvell and Coach Shannon made us feel seen. They were real with us from the start,” Darryll said. “It’s not just about football — it’s about who we’re going to become off the field, too. Florida State showed us they’re serious about that.”
The commitment of the Desir brothers is not only a massive win for Florida State on the field, but also a major statement in the recruiting wars, especially given who the Seminoles beat out. Alabama and Notre Dame had long been considered frontrunners, with the Crimson Tide especially aggressive in recent months in pursuit of the Desir twins. The Tide had made multiple in-home visits and even brought in Nick Saban’s successor for a private dinner in an effort to close the deal.
Notre Dame, meanwhile, leaned heavily on its academic prestige and rich tradition, offering what sources close to the family described as a “visionary pitch” centered on life after football. The Fighting Irish had been recruiting the Desir twins since their sophomore year and were reportedly stunned by the decision to head south.
Yet Florida State’s relentless approach ultimately paid off.
Head coach Mike Norvell personally led the charge for over a year, staying in constant contact with the twins and their parents, attending multiple of their high school games, and hosting the duo for multiple unofficial and official visits. Defensive coordinator Adam Fuller and linebackers coach Randy Shannon played pivotal roles in Darryll’s recruitment, while offensive coordinator Alex Atkins helped sell Mandrell on the Seminoles’ evolving offensive identity.
But beyond the coaching staff, it was the Seminoles’ players themselves — and the brotherhood they exude — that sealed the deal.
“Those guys are like a family,” Mandrell said. “We spent time in the locker room, around the campus, and it just felt like we belonged. They didn’t treat us like recruits. They treated us like future teammates.”
The Desir twins, who hail from Plantation, Florida, have been on the radar of Power Five programs since their freshman year at American Heritage High School. Known for their work ethic, discipline, and tight-knit bond, they quickly developed reputations as game-changers on both sides of the ball. Mandrell posted over 1,100 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns last season, while Darryll tallied 92 tackles, six sacks, and three interceptions en route to all-state honors.
Their decision to play together at the next level wasn’t always a certainty, though they say it was always the preference.
“We’re each other’s biggest fans, and we push each other every day,” Darryll said. “But we also had to find the right fit individually. The fact that Florida State worked for both of us just made it perfect.”
According to sources within Florida State’s program, the twins will be early enrollees and are expected to make an immediate impact. Mandrell is projected to compete for reps in the slot, where his speed and shiftiness could become a key asset in FSU’s up-tempo spread offense. Darryll, meanwhile, is expected to slot in as a WILL linebacker, where his sideline-to-sideline range and aggressive instincts should translate well to the college level.
The Seminoles’ coaching staff believes the twins’ presence will also have a ripple effect in the locker room and on the recruiting trail.
“These are culture guys,” one FSU assistant said. “They’re leaders, they’re competitors, and they care about winning. Getting both of them sends a message that Florida State is the place to be again.”
Indeed, the momentum around Florida State football is palpable. After an 11-win campaign and a return to ACC prominence, the Seminoles have reasserted themselves as a major player in national recruiting. The Desir twins are the latest marquee additions to what is shaping up to be a top-5 recruiting class, and insiders say more big names could be on the way.
For the Desir family, the decision was emotional — and deeply personal. Their parents, both first-generation Haitian-Americans, emphasized education and faith in every conversation with coaching staffs. Florida State’s commitment to academic support, career development, and community engagement reportedly played a critical role in swaying the family.
“Our parents always told us to be men of purpose, not just players,” Mandrell said. “At Florida State, we’ll have everything we need to grow into the best version of ourselves.”
Recruiting analysts across the country have praised the commitment as one of the most impactful twin signings in recent memory. ESPN’s National Recruiting Director Tom Luginbill called it a “program-defining moment” for Norvell and company.
“When you beat out Alabama and Notre Dame for not just one, but two elite players at premium positions — who also happen to be brothers — it changes your trajectory,” Luginbill said. “Florida State just got a whole lot better.”
The Desir twins’ announcement also lit up social media, with current and former Seminole players chiming in to welcome the newest members of the family. Former FSU greats like Jalen Ramsey, Derwin James, and Peter Warrick all posted congratulatory messages, while current Seminoles quarterback Brock Glenn posted a simple but telling message: “Let’s eat.”
Florida State fans, too, erupted in celebration. Within minutes of the announcement, “Desir Twins” was trending on X (formerly Twitter), with thousands of supporters expressing excitement and gratitude for what many are calling a defining moment in the program’s resurgence.
As for what comes next, the Desir brothers are focused on finishing their high school careers strong and preparing for the next chapter.
“We’re not done yet,” Darryll said with a grin. “We’ve got work to do this fall, and we’re coming to Tallahassee to compete. We want to win national championships. That’s the goal.”
Mandrell nodded in agreement.
“We’re coming to build something special. This isn’t just about us — it’s about representing our family, our community, and making Florida State proud.”
In a recruiting cycle filled with twists, turns, and high-stakes drama, the Desir twins’ decision offers a powerful reminder that, sometimes, the best choice is the one that simply feels right. And for Mandrell and Darryll Desir, that choice is Florida State.