Florida State has two newcomers generating national attention before either has taken a regular-season snap for the Seminoles.
ESPN recruiting analyst Billy Tuckerincluded wide receiver Devin Carter and linebacker Izayia Williams among his 51 freshmen poised to make an impact during the 2026 college football season. Carter was listed as the No. 2 ACC freshman to watch, while Williams checked in at No. 4 among the conference selections.
Their inclusion gives Florida State two of ESPN's 10 highlighted freshmen from the ACC, with Miami offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell occupying the top spot. Tucker's national feature identified freshmen across the Power Four, Group of Six and Notre Dame who could quickly become factors during the upcoming season.
Carter enters his first year in Tallahassee as one of the more intriguing young pieces in Florida State's receiver room. The 6-foot-1, 176-pound Atlanta native was a four-star prospect from Douglas County High School and ranked No. 136 in ESPN's SCNext 300. ESPN also rated Carter as the No. 20 wide receiver nationally and No. 17 prospect in Georgia. He caught 26 passes for 431 yards and five touchdowns as a senior despite dealing with an early-season injury.
The freshman also brings a direct connection to Florida State's past. Carter is the son of former Seminoles All-American and first-round NFL Draft pick Dexter Carter, who later won Super Bowl XXIX with the San Francisco 49ers.
Williams arrives with an even higher recruiting profile. The 6-foot-2, 226-pound linebacker was a consensus four-star prospect from Tavares High School and ranked No. 46 in ESPN's SCNext 300. During his junior season, Williams recorded 125 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, four sacks and an interception while also contributing offensively and competing in multiple track and field events.
ESPN's recognition reinforces the expectation that Florida State's 2026 freshman class could provide immediate help on both sides of the ball. With Carter competing for snaps in a receiver room headlined by Duce Robinson and Williams entering a linebacker group under defensive coordinator Tony White, both freshmen will have an opportunity to turn their preseason recognition into meaningful roles this fall.
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This article originally appeared on FSU Wire: Two Florida State freshmen draw national attention
