News Summary
Florida State University’s football program is facing difficulties in securing a quarterback commitment for its 2026 class. With the recent loss of four-star recruit Brady Smigiel to Michigan and narrowed options for new prospects, FSU’s coaching staff is under pressure. Top candidates Jaden O’Neal and Landon Duckworth are set to visit, but competition and the recent retirement of key quarterback Jordan Travis underscore the urgency to secure talent for the future of the program.
Tallahassee, Florida – Florida State University’s football program is facing a significant challenge in securing a quarterback commitment for its class of 2026. As of mid-May, the Seminoles have yet to add a signal-caller to their incoming class, further complicating their efforts as they look to build a competitive roster.
The team’s recruiting woes were exacerbated in January 2024 when they unexpectedly lost a commitment from four-star quarterback Brady Smigiel, who decided to join Michigan instead. This setback placed additional pressure on FSU’s coaching staff, which has already issued a trio of offers to other quarterback prospects in hopes of finding a suitable replacement.
As the recruitment landscape evolves, Florida State’s options have narrowed. Notably, five-star prospect Keisean Henderson, who is currently committed to Houston, has expressed little interest in joining the Seminoles. Additionally, four-star quarterback Bowe Bentley has eliminated Florida State from his list of potential choices, ultimately narrowing his focus to Oklahoma and LSU.
Currently, the most promising prospects for Florida State are four-star commit Jaden O’Neal from Oklahoma and four-star prospect Landon Duckworth. Both players are scheduled to visit Tallahassee next month, creating an opportunity for the coaching staff to make a final push for their commitments. However, Duckworth’s rising popularity has led to interest from Ole Miss, which could complicate FSU’s recruitment efforts. Nonetheless, the team’s offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn may leverage his previous connection with Duckworth to enhance their chances.
Recruiting a quality quarterback is more critical for Florida State than ever, especially in light of the program’s historically unremarkable recruiting results at the position under head coach Mike Norvell. Between 2020 and 2024, the Seminoles signed five high school quarterbacks, but collectively they have only made ten combined college starts. This lack of experience raises concerns about the team’s future performance.
Another layer of urgency stems from the recent retirement of Jordan Travis, a key FSU quarterback who was drafted in the fifth round of the NFL draft. Travis announced his retirement due to an injury sustained during his final college game, leaving a significant gap in the team’s quarterback depth that needs immediate attention.
As the summer approaches, it becomes increasingly crucial for Florida State to secure a commitment from a quarterback to provide a solid foundation for the #Tribe26 class. Without a commitment, the program risks falling further behind its competitors in both talent acquisition and roster development strategies.
The upcoming visits from O’Neal and Duckworth will be pivotal in determining Florida State’s quarterback situation for the class of 2026. The coaching staff’s efforts to attract top talent will significantly impact the overall success of the Seminoles in the coming years as they seek to revitalize their football program and compete at a high level in college football.
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Florida State University Football Revamps Offensive Line
Transfer Portal Changes Shake Up Florida State Football
Additional Resources
- SI.com: Florida State Facing Pressure to Lock in Quarterback
- Wikipedia: Florida State Seminoles Football
- Tallahassee.com: FSU Quarterback Trever Jackson to Enter Transfer Portal
- Google Search: Florida State Seminoles Football Recruiting
- On3.com: Mike Norvell on Florida State Quarterback Battle
- Encyclopedia Britannica: College Football
- Tomahawk Nation: Jordan Travis Retires from Jets
- Google News: Jordan Travis Retirement
Author: STAFF HERE TALLAHASSEE WRITER
The TALLAHASSEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERETallahassee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Tallahassee, Leon County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Springtime Tallahassee, Tallahassee Jazz & Blues Festival, and LeMoyne Chain of Parks Art Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Big Bend, plus leading businesses in education, healthcare, and insurance that power the local economy such as Florida State University, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, and Capital Health Plan. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
