Recruiting is one of the most crucial elements of college football. For programs like Florida State University (FSU), the lifeblood of a successful season, and ultimately a successful program, relies on securing top-tier talent through recruiting classes. A strong recruiting class not only improves a team’s depth but also significantly impacts future seasons by building foundational strength in every position group.
For FSU football, recent recruiting cycles have been encouraging. Head coach Mike Norvell and his staff have worked tirelessly to bring in top-notch talent from across the country. The Seminoles have made strides in rebuilding the program after a few challenging years, but the competitive nature of college football recruiting means that even one or two highly coveted prospects can swing the momentum of an entire recruiting class.
However, not all recruiting stories are filled with celebrations and victories. For FSU, a trio of highly talented recruits recently eliminated them from contention for their signatures. These decisions stung the Seminoles and serve as a reminder that in college football, even the most promising programs must face the bitter reality of losing out on top-tier prospects, regardless of their reputation or track record.
In this article, we take an in-depth look at the trio of recruits who have chosen to play elsewhere, the impact their decisions have had on FSU football, and the lessons that can be learned from these setbacks.
The Recruiting Landscape: How FSU Got Here
The 2025 recruiting cycle has been a competitive one, with some of the country’s most talented high school players looking for a program that not only offers them development but also the opportunity to play for championships. Florida State football, under Mike Norvell, had made notable strides, gaining attention for its up-tempo offense and rebuilding defense. With strong seasons in recent years, FSU’s profile had risen, attracting many highly sought-after prospects.
FSU’s staff had been targeting several high-profile recruits, and many were considered FSU lean-ins—meaning Florida State was perceived as one of the top contenders for their services. However, the recruitment process in college football is always a high-stakes gamble, with top recruits weighing offers from several schools, often at the power-five level, with each school offering its own combination of playing time, coaching stability, and championship aspirations.
Unfortunately for the Seminoles, despite making impressive pitches, FSU was recently eliminated from contention for a trio of key recruits who were seen as vital pieces of the 2025 recruiting class. Their decisions to go in different directions sent shockwaves through the FSU program and left fans wondering what went wrong. Let’s break down the profiles of these three talented athletes and understand the nature of their decisions.
1. Five-Star Quarterback: The Dagger to FSU’s Quarterback Plan
The first of the three key recruits to eliminate FSU from contention was Jackson Collins, a five-star quarterback from Texas. Collins had long been considered one of the top quarterback prospects in the country, and his recruitment was expected to be one of the most exciting storylines of the 2025 class.
At 6’5” and 220 pounds, Collins has all the physical tools to be a top-tier college quarterback. His arm strength is exceptional, his ability to read defenses mature for his age, and his mobility in the pocket gives him the versatility that many college coaches crave. Collins is the type of quarterback who could step into a program and make an immediate impact, leading an offense with precision and poise.
As soon as Collins put Florida State on his list of finalists, excitement surged throughout the FSU fanbase. The idea of having a five-star quarterback in the fold had the potential to elevate FSU’s offensive scheme significantly, especially as Norvell’s system requires a dynamic signal-caller capable of making plays both in the air and on the ground. Moreover, with Jordan Travis heading into his senior year, the Seminoles were in need of a successor to take the reins of the offense once Travis graduated.
But despite the efforts of FSU coaches, including offensive coordinator Alex Atkins, who made multiple visits to Collins’ high school and built a strong relationship with him, Collins ultimately committed to a rival program, the University of Alabama.
The decision left FSU football reeling. Nick Saban’s program, with its storied history and track record of developing NFL quarterbacks, proved to be a hard sell for Collins to turn down. In the end, FSU simply couldn’t match the allure of the Alabama Crimson Tide, who had positioned themselves as a perennial national title contender with a proven track record of success at the quarterback position. While FSU had the appeal of a rising program with potential, Collins ultimately wanted to play for a school that had sustained success at the highest levels.
The loss of Collins had major ramifications for FSU football’s recruiting class. Not only did it deprive them of a potential game-changing quarterback, but it also left a noticeable gap in the Seminoles’ long-term plans at the most important position on the field. With other highly-rated quarterbacks off the board, Florida State now faces the challenge of filling this critical role through future recruiting cycles.
2. Elite Wide Receiver: A Huge Blow to the Passing Game
Another recruit who eliminated FSU from contention was Jaylen Harris, an elite wide receiver from Florida. Harris was considered one of the top wide receiver prospects in the 2025 recruiting class, with his blazing speed, strong hands, and ability to run crisp routes making him a matchup nightmare for defenses. At 6’2” and 190 pounds, Harris possesses the ideal combination of size and speed to be an instant impact player at the college level.
Florida State was initially viewed as a strong contender for Harris, as he grew up in the state and had family ties to the program. Mike Norvell’s passing offense, with its high-paced nature and ability to get the ball into the hands of dynamic playmakers, seemed like an ideal fit for Harris. His ability to stretch the field and make explosive plays would have fit perfectly in Norvell’s system, which relies heavily on dynamic wide receivers to create mismatches and open up the deep passing game.
However, Harris recently made a commitment to the University of Georgia, another SEC powerhouse, which is known for its strong recruiting and a dominant running game complemented by solid quarterback play. The draw of playing for a program like Georgia, with its winning culture, deep receiving corps, and the chance to play in the College Football Playoff, proved to be more enticing than staying in Florida.
The loss of Harris was another gut punch for FSU, as the Seminoles had made his recruitment a top priority. With key contributors like Johnny Wilson and Micah Pittman moving on in the next year or two, FSU will need to reload at the wide receiver position, and missing out on Harris only deepens the challenge of continuing to build an elite passing game.
3. Defensive Standout: A Major Blow to the Front Seven
The third and final recruit to eliminate FSU football from contention is Derrick Washington, a top-ranked defensive lineman from Georgia. Washington is a massive defensive tackle with exceptional strength, athleticism, and the ability to disrupt plays in both the running and passing game. Standing at 6’5” and weighing 320 pounds, Washington has the size and explosiveness to dominate in the trenches, making him one of the most coveted defensive recruits in the country.
For FSU, the loss of Washington was particularly difficult because of the significant need for reinforcements along the defensive line. The Seminoles had a strong defensive front in 2024, but with some key contributors set to leave, bolstering the defensive line was a priority heading into 2025. Washington’s combination of size and quickness would have made him an immediate force, especially in FSU’s aggressive defensive scheme.
However, after much deliberation, Washington ultimately committed to Clemson, a perennial powerhouse in the ACC with a strong reputation for developing elite defensive linemen. With Clemson’s recruiting pipeline and continued success in the NFL Draft, Washington felt that Clemson offered the best chance to showcase his talents on a national stage while competing for championships.
Washington’s decision was another major blow to FSU, which had been hoping to land a top-tier defensive prospect to add depth to an already-impressive defense. Now, the Seminoles must regroup and look for other prospects to fill the gap left by Washington’s departure, knowing that the ACC’s competition is as fierce as ever.
The Aftermath: What It Means for FSU Football
The decisions of Collins, Harris, and Washington to eliminate FSU from their lists of contenders have put a dent in FSU’s recruiting efforts for the 2025 season. The Seminoles now face the reality of having to reevaluate their recruiting priorities and work even harder to secure other top-tier prospects who can fill the void left by these three athletes.
While the loss of these recruits is disappointing, it’s important to remember that recruiting is an ongoing process. Mike Norvell and his staff will continue to work tirelessly to bring in the best players for the FSU football program, and there are still many opportunities to secure the talent needed to compete at the highest levels.
Ultimately, these setbacks will serve as a learning experience for FSU football, and while they may have lost out on some top-tier players, the program is still in an excellent position to continue competing for championships in the future. It’s a tough blow, but it’s also a part of the larger cycle of college football recruiting, where one year’s heartbreak can turn into next year’s triumph. For FSU, the journey to building a national contender continues.