Iowa top football recruit Evan Jacobson makes visit to Florida State

Waukee standout Evan Jacobson is considered the top football recruit in Iowa for the Class of 2026

Waukee's Evan Jacobson has made several stops at major Power 5 football schools including Florida State. | Cody Scanlan/The Register / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Evan Jacobson is a multi-sport standout at Waukee High School. But as his junior season winds down, Jacobson faces a tough choice regarding his future.

Recently, Jacobson made a visit to the campus of Florida State University, taking in a spring practice for the Seminoles. 247Sports ranks Jacobson as a four-star tight end, placing him 169th overall in the country and 11th among all tight ends. 

“I think the biggest thing I wanted to get out of (the visit) was just seeing how new offensive coordinator coach (Gus) Malzahn and his offense, how he uses the tight ends and what they do out there,” Jacobson told 247Sports.com. “It was a really great visit. Got to see that in practice obviously. Tight ends had a great day, a ton of receptions. Got to learn a ton.”

Evan Jacobson 6‘7“ 228 is another exceptional athlete at the TE position. The 2026 Waukee HS,IA standout has the agility and burst of a basketball player and the strength and hands of a football player. National recruit with a bright future. 4*+ prospect and a national recruit. pic.twitter.com/FzY5spWi26

— Tom Lemming (@LemmingReport) February 14, 2025

Jacobson stated that current Florida State head coach Mike Norvell has already offered him and that the two “have a good relationship.”

“I’ve talked with him quite a bit,” he said. “I think just continuing to grow our relationship. I really like his energy and everything he is about.”

Malzahn is a former head coach at Auburn, UCF and Arkansas State who has always led high-octane offenses. Norvell took over at Florida State in 2020 after a run at Memphis as head coach. 

Last fall, Jacobson caught 20 passes for 198 yards with five touchdowns. He has formed a strong connection with fellow senior-to-be quarterback Beckett Bakker, as both will look to lead the Warriors this coming season.

Jacobson also shined for Waukee on the hardwood over the winter, averagng 18 points and almost nine rebounds per game, helping them make the state tournament.

Jacobson has visits to Auburn, back to Florida State and Notre Dame scheduled for June. He was also recently at Wisconsin on a visit and made a stop by Notre Dame earlier this month.

Had an amazing time at @NDFootball ! Thank you for a great visit and looking forward to my OV!! @MikeDenbrock @Marcus_Freeman1 @HarrisBivin @CarterAuman ☘️☘️ pic.twitter.com/wIyjwNPMch

— Evan Jacobson (@Evanjacobson12_) April 4, 2025