Florida State’s nightmare start to the 2024 football season has had significant ripple effects, both on the field and in recruiting.
After starting 0-2, the Seminoles have dropped out of both the Coaches Poll and the AP Top 25 rankings, despite being a top-10 preseason favorite.
The early losses are already taking a toll on the program’s future.
On Saturday, four-star defensive tackle Myron Charles decommitted from Florida State, choosing instead to pledge to Texas.
Just a day later, the Seminoles suffered another recruiting setback when four-star edge rusher Javion Hilson announced his decommitment.
“After careful consideration, I have decided to decommit from Florida State and reopen my recruitment. I will be making my final decision in December. Thank you to everyone at FSU for their support,” Hilson posted on X.
The 6-foot-3, 225-pound standout from Cocoa High School in Florida had originally committed to the Seminoles in January, following a previous commitment to Alabama that ended after head coach Nick Saban retired.
His decommitment leaves FSU with a depleted 2025 recruiting class, which now features only 11 players and has dropped from No. 12 to No. 17 nationally.
Hilson’s departure is a particularly hard blow, as it leaves the Seminoles without a single edge rusher committed in the 2025 class.
FSU’s remaining top recruits include blue-chip talents like Solomon Thomas, CJ Wiley, Daylan McCutcheon, Peyton Joseph, Kevin Wynn, Tramell Jones, and Chase Loftin, but the team will need to fill the gap at edge rusher quickly.
Hilson’s recruitment is expected to be highly competitive, with over 30 schools vying for his signature.
This past summer, he took official visits to Texas, Florida, UCF, and Florida State, with all four programs believed to be in strong contention.
Hilson’s talent has drawn national attention.
Ranked by On3 as the No. 63 overall prospect in the 2025 class and the No. 8 edge rusher, he has also earned accolades like Defensive Line MVP at a Rivals camp in Miami.
Through three games this season, Hilson has recorded 24 tackles, three sacks, and five quarterback hurries.
Rivals ranks him even higher, listing him as the No. 15 overall player in the country, the top edge rusher, and the second-best recruit in Florida.
As Florida State works to turn its season around, its recruiting efforts, particularly with key prospects like Hilson, will be crucial to building momentum for the future.
What are your thoughts on the disastrous few weeks that Florida State has had.
Will Mike Norvell be able to get the program back on track, both on the field and in recruiting???