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Oct 26, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell watches from the sideline against the Miami Hurricanes during the second quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Four-star recruit officially eliminates Florida State from contention

Originally posted on Florida State Seminoles on SI
By Dustin Lewis | Last updated Jun 11, 2025 7:00 AM ET

Florida State's defensive backfield is probably the most complete group in #Tribe26 as the program holds commitments from four-star safety Darryl Bell III, four-star safety Tedarius Hughes, and three-star cornerback Sean Johnson.

With that being said, the Seminoles have still been forging out the board to add to the haul, firmly positioning themselves for some of the top prospects in the country.

Last month, four-star safety Jordan Smith committed to Georgia before making it back to Tallahassee. Florida State was hoping to get him on campus for an official visit in a few weeks but that won't be happening.

On Tuesday, Smith shut his recruitment down with the Bulldogs, cancelling trips to FSU and Tennessee in the process.

Defensive backs coach Patrick Surtain Sr. and head coach Mike Norvell both met with Smith earlier this year but it wasn't enough to keep the Seminoles in contention.

BREAKING: Four-Star Georgia Safety commit Jordan Smith has shut down his recruitment, he tells me for @on3recruits

He’s cancelled his remaining Official Visits to Florida State and Tennessee

Smith is ranked as a Top 5 S in the ‘26 Class (per On3)https://t.co/ubwfD3BWLV pic.twitter.com/6SSbI05Oy0
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) June 11, 2025

As a junior, Smith totaled 85 tackles, three tackles for loss, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, seven pass deflections, two interceptions, and one 98-yard kickoff return touchdown. He recorded three games of 10+ tackles, including two performances of 12 tackles.

The 6-foot-1.5, 185-pound defensive back is regarded as the No. 56 overall prospect, the No. 6 S, and the No. 7 recruit in Georgia in the 2026 class according to 247Sports.

Florida State holds ten verbal commitments in its 2026 class which ranks No. 34 in the country.

With Smith off the board, the Seminoles will turn to other targets in the defensive backfield such as five-star Chauncey Kennon, four-star J'Zavien Currence, four-star CJ Bronaugh, four-star Samari Matthews, three-star Xavier Lherisse, three-star Tyriq Green, and three-star Jamarrion Gordon.