FSU football eliminated from contention for elite recruit

Florida State has been eliminated by one of its top targets on the recruiting trail.

The Seminoles are still searching for a five-star recruit to spearhead #Tribe26. They'll have to keep looking after the latest turn on the trail.

To begin the week, five-star defensive end Trenton Henderson announced he was trimming his recruitment down to three schools and moving his commitment up to July 2. Florida State was eliminated in favor of Florida, LSU, and Texas.

Henderson was recently in Tallahassee for an unofficial visit but was scheduled to return for an official visit for Florida State's matchup against Alabama. It's unclear if that trip will still occur.

Florida State tried to keep the Florida native home. He visited town back in January. Head coach Mike Norvell also dropped by his area to meet with him earlier this year.

NEWS: Elite 2026 EDGE Trenton Henderson is down to Texas, Florida, & LSU, he tells me for @on3recruits

The 6’5 230 EDGE from Pensacola, FL is one of the Top EDGEs in the ‘26 Class

Where Should He Go? ⬇️https://t.co/uiGqfhRZ2S pic.twitter.com/XqrWGSziL8
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) June 23, 2025

Henderson is coming off a junior campaign where he totaled 50 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, ten sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, six pass deflections, and two blocked kicks. He totaled a season-best seven tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks, one forced fumble, and two pass deflections in a 31-24 victory against St. John Paul II Catholic High School on November 1.

The Florida native helped guide Pensacola Catholic High School to an 8-2 record and an appearance in the playoffs. Current FSU cornerback Ja'Bril Rawls spent his prep career suiting up for the Crusaders, playing alongside Henderson in 2022-23 when the latter was a freshman.

The 6-foot-4, 225-pound defensive end is regarded as the No. 28 overall prospect, the No. 4 EDGE, and the No. 5 recruit in Florida in the 2026 class according to 247Sports.

Florida State holds 17 verbal commitments in its 2026 class which ranks No. 10 in the country. The Seminoles have yet to land a defensive end.

Other options for FSU at defensive end include four-star Jamarion Mathews (Alabama commit), three-star Keysaun Eleazer, three-star Kamron Wilson (Syracuse commit), three-star Chris Addison, and three-star Katrell Webb.

Who Is Committed To FSU In The 2026 Class?

Four-Star QB Jaden O'Neal

Four-Star TE Xavier Tiller

Four-Star WR Devin Carter

Four-Star WR Efrem White

Four-Star WR Brandon Bennett

Four-Star DB Tedarius Hughes

Four-Star RB Amari Thomas

Four-Star DB Darryl Bell III

Four-Star WR Darryon Williams

Four-Star DL Tico Crittendon Jr.

Four-Star DL James Carrington

Three-Star LB Karon Maycock

Three-Star DB Sean Johnson

Three-Star OL Michael Ionata

Three-Star LB Noah LaVallee

Three-Star DL Wihtlley Cadeau

OL Luke Francis

Who Does Florida State Have At Defensive End For The 2025 Season?

Redshirt Senior Jaden Jones

Redshirt Senior Deamontae Diggs

Redshirt Junior James Williams

Redshirt Junior Deante McCray

Redshirt Sophomore Grant Fielder

True Freshman Tylon Lee

True Freshman LaJesse Harrold

True Freshman Mandrell Desir

True Freshman Darryll Desir

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