With the losses of offensive linemen Darius Washington and Maurice Smith to the NFL, alongside defensive tackle Josh Farmer, who declared for the NFL Draft, defensive end Patrick Payton and Marvin Jones, Jr., to the NCAA Transfer portal, head coach Mike Norvell has had to make significant adjustments on both sides of the ball.

Florida State was recruiting linebacker Caleb LaVallee before he signed with North Carolina, hosting him for a pair of visits where he was joined by his parents and younger brother, Noah. Flash forward to 2025 and Caleb has transferred to Tallahassee to continue his college career while Noah is a rising senior who is picking up interest from P4 programs.

Ionata is the son of former FSU offensive lineman Joey Ionata, who played for the Seminoles from 1984-88. Ionata was a full-time starter during his final two years with the program and was an AP All-American honorable mention in 1988. The younger Ionata also has an older brother, Joseph Ionata, who signed with Alabama in 2023.

Florida State football head coach Mike Norvell showed up to support former Seminoles for the Rams vs. Eagles in the NFC divisional round, and fans had plenty of jokes across social media.

Florida State made a nice addition to its 2026 recruiting class earlier this week after netting a commitment from four-star running back Amari Clemons. With that being said, the Seminoles are still continuing to look for a running mate to add alongside Clemons in the backfield.

FSU may be the favorite for four-star offensive tackle Chastan Brown as he enters the final stages of his recruitment. Head coach Mike Norvell dropped in on Brown on Monday ahead of his visit to Tallahassee later this month. The blue-chip prospect has been showing the Seminoles a lot of love over the last few weeks.

On Friday, FSU head coach Mike Norvell made his way through the Sunshine State. He took the time to drop through Pace High School to visit with four-star offensive lineman Grant Wise. The Seminoles are clearly making Wise a priority along the trenches as offensive line coach Herb Hand was in to see him earlier this week.

Following a disappointing 2-10 2024 campaign, Mike Norvell and the Seminoles lose a blue-chip quarterback recruit via de-commitment.

Florida State's 2026 recruiting class took a hit earlier this week when four-star quarterback Brady Smigiel backed off his pledge to the program. Suddenly, the Seminoles are back in the market and they've already extended a trio of new offers at the position.

Florida State head coach Mike Norvell spoke to the voice of the Seminoles ... their 2-10 season in 2025 as they open their schedule against Alabama on Aug. 30 in Tallahassee. READ MORE: FSU Football Won’t Hold Spring Showcase Due to Doak Campbell ...

Florida State head coach Mike Norvell spoke to the voice of the Seminoles ... they open their schedule against Alabama on Aug. 30 in Tallahassee.

Smigiel's father, Joe Smigiel, who coaches him at the prep level at Newbury Park High School, noted the family fell in love with Florida State but he had reservations about the situation working out. Joe said that it was up to Brady to make the final call.