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Florida State Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell watches on as his players come off the field. The Florida State Seminoles defeated the Virginia Tech Hokies 39-17 at Doak Campbell Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. Alicia Devine/Tallahassee Democrat / USA TODAY NETWORK

Florida State in contention as elite five-star sets decision date

Originally posted on Florida State Seminoles on SI
By Dustin Lewis | Last updated May 29, 2025 4:30 PM ET

Florida State's coaching staff is taking a shot at plenty of highly ranked recruits this summer. The next few weeks will define #Tribe26's climb or fall as the calendar keeps speeding up.

Earlier this month, the Seminoles got good news when five-star wide receiver Calvin Russell locked in an official visit to Tallahassee. Florida State will get to make one of the final impressions on Russell when he's in town from June 15-17.

On Thursday, Russell revealed that he's set an upcoming decision. The No. 3 wide receiver in the 2026 class will make his commitment on July 5. Eight programs are in the running for Russell; Florida State, Miami, Florida, Oregon, LSU, Michigan, North Carolina, and Syracuse.

Russell has also scheduled official visits to Florida and LSU. He's expected to see some of his other finalists as well.

It'll be imperative for the Seminoles to make a big move in June. Russell's trip to Florida State will mark his first visit to campus since March of 2024. Obviously, a lot has changed with the program since then as head coach Mike Norvell brought in offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn and wide receivers coach Tim Harris Jr.

BREAKING: Elite 2026 WR Calvin Russell will announce his Commitment July 5th between these 8 Schools, he tells me for @On3Recruits

The 6’5 195 WR from Opa Locka, FL is ranked as the No. 4 WR in the ‘26 Class (per On3 Industry)

Where Should He Go? https://t.co/qsaalp9UGx pic.twitter.com/MBbpcJfQpg
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) May 29, 2025

As a junior, Russell led Miami Northwestern High School to a state championship. He caught 39 passes for 704 yards and 13 touchdowns while adding two scores on the ground. Russell also plays basketball at the prep level where he averaged 15.2 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.3 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game this season.

Earlier this offseason, four-star safety and Florida State commitment, Tedarius Hughes, transferred to Miami Northwestern. Hughes and Russell will be teammates this fall.

The 6-foot-5, 195-pound wide receiver is regarded as the No. 21 overall prospect, the No. 3 WR, and the No. 2 recruit in Florida in the 2026 class according to 247Sports.

Florida State holds nine verbal commitments in its 2026 class which ranks No. 23 in the country. The Seminoles previously landed four-star wide receiver Efrem White and four-star wide receiver Darryon Williams.