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Apr 19, 2025; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders during the spring game at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Deion Sanders, Colorado Buffaloes offer one of FSU Football's top commitments

Originally posted on Florida State Seminoles on SI
By Dustin Lewis | Last updated May 15, 2025 8:30 AM ET

Entering the year, Florida State held onto a top-10 #Tribe26 class with optimism that haul would continue growing in the right direction under a revamped coaching staff. Things probably haven't gone exactly as head coach Mike Norvell planned.

The Seminoles have added four commitments since the calendar flipped to 2025. At the same time, FSU now sits outside the top-20 nationally and still has yet to add a quarterback after losing four-star Brady Smigiel earlier this year.

Plus, multiple members of the class are earning legitimate interest from other programs with summer on the horizon.

Three-star offensive tackle Xavier Payne was offensive line coach Herb Hand's first commitment at the high school level after arriving in Tallahassee. Since then, Payne has seen his offer sheet continue to skyrocket.

On Wednesday, the Colorado Buffaloes extended Payne a scholarship. Deion Sanders might be trying to wedge his way into landing another player with ties to Florida State. After all, he brought former Seminole wide receiver Hykeem Williams to Boulder last month.

Payne seems to be solid but nothing is set in stone until the ink dries during the Early Signing Period. Even then, stuff happens.

After a great conversation with @Coach_Gunnar I am blessed and honored to receive an offer to the University of Colorado @JohnGarcia_Jr @ChadSimmons_ @RivalsFriedman @trenchmenAC @STARSMP1 @craftinglinemen pic.twitter.com/n4e0NW6ebs
— Xavier Payne (@NYPayne58) May 14, 2025

The Florida native has already scheduled three official visits to programs outside of Florida State. He's scheduled to check out Arkansas, Syracuse, and Penn State, along with the Seminoles, beginning in a few weeks.

Payne recently transferred high schools ahead of his senior season. He will be playing at Edison High School in Miami in 2025.

The 6-foot-7, 320-pound offensive lineman is regarded as the No. 757 overall prospect, the No. 64 OT, and the No. 102 recruit in Florida in the 2026 class according to 247Sports.

Florida State holds nine verbal commitments in its 2026 class which ranks No. 22 in the country. The Seminoles previously landed three-star interior offensive lineman Michael Ionata and have been trying to expand the offensive tackle board.