Florida State reportedly dismisses top-rated recruit from its 2026 class as program turmoil continues under Mike Norvell
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
Florida State could have gone up 17-0 at Louisville last Friday. Rather than kicking a field goal to build a three-score lead, the Seminoles went for it on fourth-and-goal, turned the ball over on downs and allowed 35 consecutive points in a 44-20 defeat.
FSU hasn’t won a regular-season road game since it took down rival Florida on Nov. 25, 2023. The school’s athletic department, according to an Oct. 8 report from ESPN’s Pete Thamel, is facing more than $430 million in debt. Head coach Mike Norvell, who has posted a meager 10-20 record after leading the Seminoles to an ACC title about three years ago, is on the hottest of seats.
But considering his meaty buyout — the school reportedly would owe Norvell nearly $51 million — and that FSU fired AD Mike Alford on Sept. 14, there’s uncertainty whether Norvell will actually be relieved of his duties this season.
And now his top recruit from the 2026 class, freshman cornerback Chuck Kennon, has been dismissed from the embattled program because of “conduct detrimental to the team,” per ESPN.
Kennon, whose lone snap for the Seminoles this season came in an Oct. 3 win over Virginia, was a four-star recruit and the No. 70 overall prospect in the 2026 class, according to the Rivals industry ranking.
As of Tuesday afternoon, Kennon is no longer listed on FSU’s roster. In ESPN’s report, it noted that FSU confirmed to the outlet that Kennon has, in fact, been dismissed from the program.
Kennon starred for Booker High School in Sarasota, Florida. Notably, he also had an offer from now-No. 3 Miami, another in-state rival of the Seminoles, whom they’re preparing to play on the road this coming Saturday.
FSU is currently 3-3, including 1-2 in ACC competition this time around. The Seminoles have logged a measly 4-15 conference record since they went perfect in league play in 2023, the season Norvell guided the program to its last ACC championship.
Famously, FSU was left out of the then-four-team College Football Playoff following that feat. Norvell’s teams haven’t come anywhere close to reaching the CFP after that heartbreak.
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos