FSU football head coach Mike Norvell talks early signing day, 2025 recruiting class
FSU football head coach Mike Norvell talks early signing day, 2025 recruiting class
Florida State football head coach Mike Norvell promised a fast, immediate fix following the Seminoles‘ disastrous 2-10 season.
FSU is just a few days removed from the 31-11 season finale loss to Florida and the Seminoles’ program has already significantly changed. Gus Malzahn is officially the program’s new offensive coordinator and Nebraska’s Tony White is expected to be the defensive coordinator, bringing Terrance Knighton with him as defensive line coach.
While navigating a coaching search, Norvell also had to fill out his 2025 recruiting class after 10 players decommited from the program throughout the season. With a few flips and surprises joining FSU’s class, Norvell said he has high expectations for the recruits he’s brought in on early signing day.
“Definitely excited about this group,” Norvell said. “It’s been a season of challenge, a season of change, it’s definitely been a remarkable journey with building relationships, pouring into individuals, and identifying needs of guys that can come and I think make a great impact to the program.”
“I think there is a lot of guys on this list that will be immediate impact players.”
The Seminoles have officially signed 18 players, with four-star flips Jayvan Boggs, Tae’shaun Gelsey and Ousmane Kromah the highlights of the day. FSU did lose a commitment from Solomon Thomas, who flipped to LSU.
FSU officially announced Boggs, Gelsey and Kromah after Norvell’s press conference, so he did not comment on their arrival.
Norvell said he expects his class to fill out to nearly 20 players by the end of the early signing period.
FSU’s recruiting class was ranked 53rd by 247Sports at the start of early signing day, but after flips and filling out the class, the Seminoles now rank 25th.
The first major move of the day for the Seminoles came with the flip of Auburn commit Shamar Arnoux.
“He’s been a top target and somebody we absolutely wanted and needed in this class,” Norvell said. “I think he’s going to be a special player for years to come and has a chance to definitely make an early impact.”
Arnoux stands at 6-foot-2 and joins a recruiting class that doesn’t have a commit under six feet tall. Norvell said size was a priority in this recruiting class, especially at the skill positions.
The Seminoles have three receivers over 6-foot-5, with Jordan Scott the tallest at 6-foot-7. Norvrell said size was a need to address and something Malzahn wanted for his offense.
“We wanted to go big,” Norvell said. “We’ve had a lot of success with guys of that size and the matchup programs that can create, and the playmakers they are. You see on film what we ask guys to do here… I think they can come in and really be able to address a need for what Coach Malzahn is looking for and what we’ve been accustomed to seeing. Excited about the total packed of what those guys can be.”
Norvell said one of the stars of the class is tight end Chase Loftin. The 6-foot-5 hybrid tight end from Nebraska was labeled as a “home run” get by Norvell.
He said that Loftin will mesh into the young tight-end core that features Amaree Williams and Landen Thomas. Norvell called the incoming freshman a matchup problem for opposing defenses.
“He can really do it all. He’s one of the toughest matchup problem players in the country,” Norvell said. “He’s got great speed, great playmaking, great hands and he’s also got a great deal of toughness, so when he has to come inside the box you can feel him there as well.”
FSU football’s 2025 recruiting class
247Sports Star ratings used
- Kevin Wynn, 4-star, defensive lineman
- Kevin Sperry, 4-star, quarterback
- Mario Nash Jr, 4-star, offensive lineman
- Jayvan Boggs, 4-star, wide receiver
- Ousmane Kromah, 4-star, runningback
- Shamar Arnoux, 4-star, defensive back
- Tae’shaun Gelsey, 4-star, wide receiver/tight end
- Gregory Xavier Thomas, 4-star, cornerback
- Chase Loftin, 4-star, tight end
- Ethan Pritchard, 4-star, linebacker
- Darryll Desir, 3-star, edge
- Mandrell Desir, 3-star, edge
- Max Redmon, 3-star, safety
- Teriq Mallory, 3-star, wide receiver
- Jordan Scott, 3-star, wide receiver
- Brunno Reus, 3-star, kicker
- Sean Poret, 3-star, offensive lineman
- Tyeland Coleman, 3-star, defensive lineman
Liam Rooney covers Florida State athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at LRooney@gannett.com or on Twitter @__liamrooney
