The Florida State Seminoles are having a dismal season, currently holding a 1-7 record with losses against teams like Georgia Tech, Boston College, Memphis, SMU, Clemson, Duke, and Miami. This string of defeats has turned the program into a laughing stock within the realm of college football. Under the leadership of head coach Mike Norvell in his fifth year, the team is spiraling downward. Preseason projections had anticipated a win total of 9.5, but the Seminoles fell short of that mark by just their third game.
The impact of this disappointing season is being felt beyond the field, as recruiting efforts have also taken a serious hit. With little to offer prospective players other than the hope that the next season will be better, Florida State has lost commitments from several key recruits, including four-star wide receivers Malik Clark and Daylan McCutcheon, defensive end Javion Hilson, and defensive tackle Myron Charles. This trend of decommitments underscores the challenges facing the coaching staff as they attempt to stabilize the program.
In a recent blow, four-star wide receiver CJ Wiley from Milton High School in Alpharetta, Georgia, announced he is backing out of his commitment to Florida State. It’s noteworthy that Wiley remained committed for as long as he did, especially considering the ongoing struggles of the Seminoles. The Georgia Bulldogs have been pursuing him aggressively, making their interest clear, and Wiley’s visit to Texas A&M, which resulted in a victory over LSU, only adds to the speculation about his recruitment.
This situation poses a significant challenge for wide receivers coach Ron Dugans, who has seen all three of his top recruits from the summer class decommit. With no high-profile commitments remaining, there are concerns about his job security heading into the next season. The wide receiver corps has performed poorly this year, contributing to an overall offensive performance that is currently regarded as the worst in college football.
On a somewhat positive note, there’s hope on the horizon as four-star wide receiver Jayvan Boggs, who is currently committed to UCF, is expected to officially visit Florida State next weekend when they take on North Carolina. This visit could provide a glimmer of hope in an otherwise bleak recruiting landscape, as the Seminoles look to turn their fortunes around both on the field and in attracting new talent.
