Key Highlights
- “We have signed a large group of student-athletes who bring a tremendous amount of accolades, experience and success.
- Many of them played for championship programs and a number of players are multi-sport athletes, which fits our schemes that are built for playmakers.
- This has been a very good start to the Class of 2026, and I’m excited to continue adding to this group.”3-star offensive lineman Nikau Hepi3-star offensive lineman Luke Francis3-star offensive lineman Mike Ionata4-star defensive back Chauncy Kennon4-star tight end Xaiver Tiller3-star defensive lineman Chris Carbin3-star defensive back Jordan Crutchfield4-star wide receiver Efrem White3-star offensive lineman Jakobe Green4-star defensive lineman Franklin Whitley3-star defensive lineman Judah Daniels3-star athlete Darryon Williams3-star offensive lineman Steven Pickard3-star defensive lineman Damaad Lewis3-star offensive lineman Steven Moore (JUCO)4-star wide receiver Brandon Bennett3-star linebacker Noah LaValle3-star wide receiver Jonah “JP” Winston3-star defensive lineman Jalen Anderson (JUCO)3-star tight end Corbyn Fordham3-star linebacker Karon Maycock4-star quarterback Jaden O’Neal4-star linebacker Izayia Williams3-star defensive lineman Wihtlley Cadeau4-star defensive back Tre Bell III4-star running back Amari Thomas3-star linebacker Daylen Green4-star defensive lineman Earnest Rankins4-star wide receiver Devin Carter3-star defensive lineman Jaemin Pinckney3-star defensive lineman Cam Brooks4-star wide receiver Jasen LopezFootballESPN dropped an inside look at Lane Kiffin’s decision process that resulted in him leaving playoff-bound Ole Miss for LSU, which included the news that FSU attempted to pursue the head coach this season:The coaches discussed four options: Remain at Ole Miss, where they had built a legitimate College Football Playoff contender; leave for SEC rivals Florida or LSU; or take over Florida State, which according to people with knowledge of the search, was making a stealth move to poach Kiffin. Florida State athletic director Michael Alford was wooing Kiffin behind the scenes, sources familiar with the search told ESPN.
- Kiffin and Alford had worked together at USC — Alford as the Trojans’ associate AD from 2000 to 2003 and Kiffin as Pete Carroll’s tight ends/wide receivers coach from 2001 to 2003.
- But Florida State hadn’t fired embattled coach Mike Norvell, whose program had slipped dramatically after going 13-1 and winning an ACC title in 2023.
