4-Star Safety Ta’Shawn Poole Commits to Florida State

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The Florida State football program has done well for itself
on the recruiting trail, despite winning just seven games the past two seasons.
Mike Norvell has landed the commitments of five 4-star recruits within the last
five weeks, including one from Georgia safety Ta’Shawn Poole. On Friday, Poole
committed to the Seminoles over offers from Georgia and Tennessee.

Poole believes Florida State is the best place for him to continue his football journey at the next level. “I actually cried so that's how I knew it was the right choice,” said Poole.

As a result, the Seminoles 2027 class jumped up to No.
40 in the team rankings, according to 247 Sports.

Hudson Standish, 247 Sports National Analyst filed
this scouting report on Poole:

  • Three-phase impact
    playmaker set to become the first prospect from his high school (est. 2008) to
    sign at the Power Four level.
  • Rangy safety with ideal size hovering around
    6-foot-1.5, 190 pounds with a +6 wingspan and ideal combine testing metrics.
  • Offers plenty of alignment flexibility, as he
    can feasibly line up over the slot, in the box, or as a split-safety.
  • Handled himself well in one-on-one coverage at
    the 2026 Under Armour All-America game and on the offseason camp circuit.
    Smothers receivers and tight ends in man coverage, and will flash the
    playmaking instincts from his time at wide receiver at the catch point.
  • Quickly diagnoses and closes the distance to squeeze
    run lanes. Plays with violent conviction, which will lead to poor angles at
    times.
  • Must continue improving block evasion and
    destruction in pursuit of the football.
    – Possesses the range and anticipation to make
    plays in the deeper third as a split-safety. Reads the game well at the prep
    level, and flashed in a best-on-best setting, but will face a steep jump in
    play speed at the next level.
  • Profiles as a multi-year starter for a CFP
    contender with NFL Draft upside thanks to his blend of size, athleticism, and
    coverage instincts.

Poole joins fellow 4-star
commits in defensive lineman Sam LeJeune, receiver Sean Green, running back
Jayden Miles, and athlete Za’Kari Johnson who have pledged their services to
the Seminoles.

247 Sports ranks Poole
among their Top 100 (No. 85) and the No. 4 safety in the country. Poole also
landed in the prestigious ESPN 300 at No. 43 prospect overall.

The Seminoles passing
defense recorded just 24 pass breakups last season. That dubious result ranked
the Seminoles at No. 127 in the FBS. However, Florida State did hold opponents
to less than 200 yards passing six times last season.

Elite talent like Poole can turn a defensive secondary around in a hurry, provided his
commitment holds true to signing day, regardless of who the head football coach
may be in 2027.

A lot has been said and
written about Norvell’s coaching days being numbered. The 2026 season is
critical for not only the Seminoles football psyche, but for the future of
their talent base as well.

The State of Florida is
among the “Big 3” recruiting territories (along with Texas and California) in
the country when it comes to talented high school prospects. In this case, Norvell crossed the state line with Georgia and snatched Poole right out from under Kirby Smart’s nose. 

Kudos to Norvell for
keeping his head down and pushing through all the negative talk surrounding him
and the Seminole football program and getting the job done on the recruiting
trail.

Florida State fans hope Norvell can do the same on the sidelines on game
day, by having his team ready to play each Saturday, and get the job done on
the field when it counts the most.  

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