Florida State football recruiting: Which Top 100 in-state prospects could commit next?
Of their eight pledges, seven are ranked in the Top 100: ATH Darryon Williams (No. 46 overall), S Darryl Bell III (No. 47 overall), RB Amari Clemmons (No. 57 overall), S Tedarius Hughes (No. 65 overall), OT Xavier Payne (No. 77 overall), S Efrem White (No. 71 overall), and EDGE Karon Maycock (No. 80 overall).
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While the class isn't very top-heavy, there is still a lot that can shake out. Mike Norvell and company have their sights set on plenty of the state's elite prospects, and more importantly, the interest is mutual.
Here are five players that the Seminoles not only would love to sign, but have a decent chance of doing so by December:
Chauncey Kennon, Booker CB
Chauncey Kennon, Booker
USA TODAY Florida Rank: No. 8 overall, No. 1 CB
Height, weight: 6 feet 1, 175 pounds
MORE QUESTIONS? Everything you need to know about Florida H.S. football recruiting after spring practices
What to know: Kennon's speed and footwork have made him one of the most coveted recruits in the state. He doesn't shy away from big hits, and is very effective in run support. His long arms are huge plus, and are a big reason he broke up a ridiculous 16 passes last year.
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Kennon visited Tallahassee twice at the start of the year, and Mike Norvell came down to Booker for a coach's visit in January. He's locked in for an official visit in June.
He's trimmed down his list of suitors to 10, then down again to six. The Seminoles made the cut both times, and are pitching against Florida, Georgia, Miami, LSU, and Oregon.
CJ Bronaugh, Windemere CB
Windemere Prep's CJ Bronaugh accepts the MVP award for defensive backs at the 2025 Under Armour Next camp in Orlando, Feb. 23.
USA TODAY Florida Ranking: No. 22 overall, No. 4 cornerback
Height, weight: 6-1, 170 pounds
What to know: Bronaugh has been committed to Nebraska since November of last year, but his recruitment has broken containment after an outstanding offseason that included the defensive backs MVP at Under Armour Orlando. He told USA TODAY that he's "mostly locked" in with Nebraska, but will be taking official visits this spring and summer.
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FSU is among two other schools (Florida, Penn State) to earn an official visit to try and sway him from the Huskers. Bronaugh is also a decorated track athlete, and won his second-straight gold in the 100 meters with a time of 10.34.
Kendall Guervil, Fort Myers DL
Kendall Guervil, a football player at Fort Myers High School, is a News-Press All Area finalist.
USA TODAY Florida Ranking: No. 28 overall, No. 2 DL
Height, weight: 6-5, 310 pounds
What to know: Guervil is a textbook plug-stopper. His 6-5 frame makes him a matchup nightmare up front, and he is extremely powerful up top and drives through the line of scrimmage.
The 'Noles have hosted Guervil twice this offseason, first for a spring practice in March and again at the end of May for an official visit. FSU made Guervil's Top 10, and his other official visits include Georgia, Florida, and Texas.
Jasen Lopez, Chaminade-Madonna WR
Chaminade-Madonna wide receiver Jasen Lopez catches a pass during the Lions spring scrimmage on May 19, 2025 in Hollywood, Florida.
USA TODAY Florida Rank: No. 39 overall, No. 6 wide receiver
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Height, weight: 5-10, 165 pounds
What to know: Lopez isn't a football player that also plays basketball, nor vice versa. He's an elite athlete, and that's translated to high-major football and basketball offers. His athleticism allows him to play above his height, and he has great evasive instincts in the open field. Lopez is an effective route runner and has strong hands as well.
He holds both football and basketball offers from the Seminoles, and he's been open about his desire to play both sports at the next level. While Miami may be the front-runner for Lopez, the 'Noles still have a solid shot at landing him. He's set to take official visits to both schools, along with North Carolina State, this summer.
DQ Forkpa JR., IMG LB
IMG Academy linebacker Duyon 'DQ' Forkpa Jr. at the Ascenders' Pro Day Camp, Feb. 27, 2025.
USA TODAY Florida Network Rank: No. 42 overall, No. 4 LB
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Height, weight: 6-0, 225 pounds
What kto Know: Forkpa Jr.'s recruitment has seen a serious uptick since arriving from Mill Creek (Ga.), and schools like Miami, Florida, and Colorado have joined a race FSU began running since offering last summer.
The 'Noles have had him on campus twice in the spring, and locked in a summertime official visit. He's cited "strong relationships" with the staff in Tallahassee and serious interest in the new staff's defensive schemes.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU football recruiting: Top 100 recruits in state that could commit
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