4-star safety picks Florida State over Georgia, Tennessee
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Florida State football scored one of its biggest recruiting wins of the 2027 cycle on Friday evening as four-star safety Ta’Shawn Poole announced his commitment to the Seminoles over fellow finalists Georgia and Tennessee.
The Howard High School (Macon, Georgia) standout becomes Florida State’s highest-rated commitment in the 2027 class. Poole is ranked among the nation’s elite prospects. The 247Sports Composite lists him as the No. 64 overall player, the No. 6 safety, and the No. 5 prospect in Georgia, while the USA TODAY Sports Composite places him No. 63 nationally and No. 5 among safeties. Rivals Industry Rankings rate him No. 72 overall, the No. 5 safety, and the No. 6 player in Georgia.
Poole’s commitment gives head coach Mike Norvell an important recruiting win after Florida State experienced a difficult stretch on the recruiting trail. The Seminoles have gone 7-17 over the past two seasons following a 13-1 campaign in 2023, making this addition particularly huge for a program looking to regain momentum.
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The 6-foot-2, 185-pound defensive back impressed on both sides of the ball during his junior season. Defensively, he recorded 37 tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, and two interceptions. On offense, he garnered 30 receptions for 454 yards and seven touchdowns while adding 33 rushing attempts for 200 yards and four more scores. He also returned a punt for a touchdown.
Florida State’s pursuit of Poole included stiff competition throughout the process. The Volunteers held momentum earlier in his recruitment, but the Seminoles gained ground after his spring visit and strengthened their position during his official visit to Tallahassee on June 12. The Bulldogs later made a strong push with an official visit before the recruiting dead period, creating late uncertainty, but Florida State maintained its lead. The Seminoles’ compensation package, opportunity for early playing time, and Poole’s relationships with Norvell and safeties coach Evan Cooper reportedly helped secure his pledge.
Poole is considered a natural fit for Florida State’s defensive plans and immediately becomes the centerpiece of the Seminoles’ 2027 recruiting class.
With Poole joining the class, Florida State now holds 16 verbal commitments, and the group climbed from No. 53 to No. 33 nationally. He is the Seminoles’ first top-100 recruit and fifth four-star pledge, joining four-star defensive lineman Sam LeJeune, wide receiver Sean Green, running back Jayden Miles, athlete Za’Kari Johnson, and defensive back Jemari Foreman, who intercepted 10 passes during his junior season. Johnson is also expected to contribute in the secondary, giving Florida State three defensive back playmakers in the 2027 cycle.
Poole also has family ties to the Seminoles. He is the nephew of former Florida State women’s basketball standout Latavia Coleman, the program’s first WNBA Draft selection.
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