FSU football making push for elite recruit on the trail

When the 2025 season kicked off in late August, many recruits were in wait-and-see mode with Florida State.

A month later, the Seminoles are 3-0 and ranked No. 8 in the country. Head coach Mike Norvell has proven this fall is going to be much different in Tallahassee.

Along with gaining the support of a fired-up fanbase, Florida State has positioned itself as a contender for elite prospects on the recruiting trail.

The efforts are paying off with a potential top-15 class in #Tribe26 and early returns in future classes as well.

Top-100 Linebacker Includes FSU In Top-10

Florida State football and coaches players arrive for the 10th FSU spring football practice of the 2023 season on Tuesday, April 4, 2023. John Papuchis 1 Of 1 | Ehsan Kassim/Tallahassee Democrat / USA TODAY NETWORK

Earlier this week, four-star linebacker and 2027 prospect, Ja'Bios Smith, announced he was cutting his recruitment down to ten schools.

Florida State made the cut alongside Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Michigan, Auburn, Tennessee, South Carolina, Texas A&M, and Georgia Tech.

The Seminoles extended Smith a scholarship offer back in January. He was previously on campus in 2024 for an unofficial visit and a summer camp.

Getting Smith back in town will be a priority for Florida State.

Top 10 !! @ChadSimmons_ @SWiltfong247 @RustyMansell_ @adamgorney @LemmingReport @scottroberts11 @_DwightSmith !! pic.twitter.com/ylQorrTKqx
— Ja’bios “Bigfoot” Smith (@jabiossmith) September 24, 2025

Smith is off to a dominant start to his junior season at Swainsboro High School, making plays on both sides of the ball.

The Georgia native has recorded 50 tackles and four tackles for loss on defense. He's also rushed 68 times for 407 yards and 11 touchdowns and caught five passes for 54 yards.

The 6-foot-3, 195-pound linebacker is regarded as the No. 97 overall prospect, the No. 6 LB, and the No. 12 recruit in Georgia in the 2027 class according to the 247Sports composite ratings.