Florida State Recruiting: Jay Timmons Flips to Ohio State
The annual pattern continues as Mike Norvell and the Florida State Seminoles lose another key 2026 recruit. Legacy prospect and top defensive back Jay Timmons has chosen Ohio State over FSU, surprising many.
Timmons was widely viewed, including by myself, as the best player in the class. Others might highlight DB Chauncey Kennon or DL Earnest Rankins, but losing Timmons is a significant blow that will be hard to recover from.
Even more frustrating for Florida State is that Timmons was a flipped recruit, initially committed elsewhere—in this case, Indiana, which enjoyed a strong season. Losing such a high-profile commit who is also a legacy feels nearly unjustifiable.
Mike Norvell and his staff seem to be outmatched by competitors in recruiting each year. Seminole fans have grown accustomed to seeing top recruits depart before they can fully commit, becoming a recurring theme.
- Reasons for these losses vary: money, program fit, perception, communication issues, and lack of urgency.
- Despite the causes, this trend has become almost traditional—comparable to something like Augusta National’s unique legacy.
At least this flip didn’t occur during the early signing period, offering a small silver lining for Florida State.
Mike Norvell and his staff continue to get punked every year by stronger recruiters.
Summary: Florida State’s recruiting struggles persist as legacy recruit Jay Timmons flips to Ohio State, highlighting ongoing challenges in retaining top talent under Mike Norvell.