Where did #Tribe26 decommitments and missed targets sign?

SB Nation

Florida State welcomed its largest prep class since 2014 (29 signees), signing 32 high school and JUCO players on the first day of the Early Signing Period. The Seminoles were able to add three prospects

to the fold on Wednesday and inked every player on their commit list, a victory in itself that numerous other programs didn’t manage as some notable blue-chip prospects opted to hold off. Barring any major turns, #Tribe26 is set and the focus will shift to the portal in January.

That said, there are decommitments for every program every cycle. FSU managed to get three of its decommitments back into the fold and signed, more than any year I can remember. Let’s get some closure and take a look at where those players ended up, along with notable missed targets for whom the Seminole staff hosted or fought hard but ultimately came up short. All rankings are from the 247Sports Composite.

CB Jay Timmons (4-star, 64th best player nationally)

Timmons, a Florida State legacy and arguably the most talented player in the 2026 class, flipped to Ohio State on November 6, less than a week after an official visit to Columbus. He signed with the Buckeyes. There is no sugar-coating this. It’s a brutal loss and continues an unfortunate tradition for FSU under Norvell.

CB Jaelin “Seatbelt” Waters (4-star, 145th best player nationally)

Waters committed to FSU in April of 2024 and decommitted five weeks later. He’d soon commit to the Florida Gators before reneging on that verbal as well and flipping to the Miami Hurricanes, where he signed. The rare Sunshine Three-Step. See you in the portal eventually, Seatbelt.

QB Brady Smigiel (4-star, 343rd best player nationally)

Smigiel was considered a major recruiting victory when he pledged to the ‘Noles in June 2024. At the time, Smigiel was flirting with 5-star status and FSU had seemingly found its bellcow on offense. Once Alex Atkins was let go and Gus Malzahn took over the reins, though, Smigiel and his family understandably decided to find a school where his game translated better. That school turned out to be Michigan, where he signed. Smigiel tumbled down the rankings this season so it’ll be worth watching how he does.

DB Tedarius Hughes (4-star, 384th best player nationally)

Despite his long-standing commitment with FSU, Hughes never stopped building a relationship with Syracuse. He eventually flipped to the Orange on November 4 and signed with them. Credit Fran Brown for successfully playing the long game with Hughes. I think Hughes can become a really good college player but based on some of his social media posts and comments following his decommitment, I think this may end up being addition by subtraction for FSU.

OL Da’Ron Parks (4-star, 434th best player nationally)

Parks was considered a solid recruiting victory when FSU beat out Ohio State for his commitment back on July 26, as we know he was a take for the Buckeyes at the time. However, this was another situation where FSU was recruiting a guard to play tackle and I made my concerns known at the time. Parks and FSU were not to be in the end, with a separation on November 24 that led to the massive lineman signing with the UNC Tar Heels in a mild upset over the hometown West Virginia Mountaineers. I would have liked to keep Parks in the class… if he was playing along the interior.

DL Tico Crittendon (3-star, 496th best player nationally)

It was a bit of a surprise when FSU landed Crittendon on June 17 over Georgia and Texas Tech, the latter of whom offered a nice NIL package. I’m not sure he was truly a take at Georgia. Crittendon decided to reopen his recruitment on November 5 and ended up signing with Mississippi State over Georgia Tech. He’s one I would have loved to see FSU keep.

DB Sean Johnson (3-star, 601st best player nationally)

Johnson was an underwhelming addition from Maryland when he joined #Tribe26 in April and his decommitment was met with similar apathy. I certainly wish him well and am glad he was able to find a home with the local Maryland Terrapins, but I don’t think he would have been long for FSU if he’d kept his commitment.

DL James Carrington (3-star, 741st best player nationally)

Carrington, who played his senior season in California, was an interesting addition to the class when he joined in mid-June. A versatile lineman with an accomplished wrestling background, he and FSU had a falling out over NIL and he decommitted in August. Oklahoma gave him what he sought and he signed with the Sooners. Again I state that FSU should not be recruiting in the West Coast, period.

OL Xavier Payne (3-star, 1,219th best player nationally)

Payne was the first offensive lineman to commit to new OL coach Herb Hand, following him from UCF after Hand was announced for FSU. On his official visit though, Payne was sent home early due to a poor attitude and corresponding behavior, and FSU booted him from the class shortly after. He eventually committed to and signed with the Colorado Buffaloes. Seems like a fun match.

Main targets that FSU wasn’t able to sign

DE Kamron Wilson (Syracuse)

RB Qwantavius Wiggins (Wisconsin)

TE Heze Kent (Florida)

DB CJ Bronaugh (Florida)

DL Chris Addison (Mississippi State)

DL Katrell Webb (Purdue)

DL James Johnson (Texas)

RB Derrek Cooper (Texas)

RB Jae Lamar (Georgia)

S Lasiah Jackson (Stanford)

LB TJ White (Tennessee)