FSU Football Takes Unexpected Recruiting Hit As Four-Star WR Cancels Official Visit

Sep 26, 2025; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; Florida State Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell looks on during a stoppage in play against the Virginia Cavaliers at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

FSU Football Takes Unexpected Recruiting Hit As Four-Star WR Cancels Official Visit

Originally posted on Florida State Seminoles on SI
By Dustin Lewis | Last updated May 13, 2026 8:00 AM ET

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The Florida State Seminoles are struggling through adversity on the recruiting trail.

Florida State has only landed one verbal commitment dating back to the beginning of February. What was once a promising start to #Tribe27 has quickly turned into a middling recruiting class.

Target after target have gone off the board to other programs over the last few weeks.

As the middle of May nears, the Seminoles are reeling from another unexpected hit.

Four-Star WR Unexpectedly Cancels Official Visit To Florida State

On Tuesday afternoon, four-star wide receiver Jabari Watkins announced an important update in his recruitment.

In a post to social media, Watkins revealed that he has cancelled his official visit to Florida State.

"I will no longer be taking an OV to FSU," Watkins wrote. "Thank you to all the staff at FSU for the opportunity and support. No hard feelings at all, much respect to everyone involved in recruiting me at FSU. Thank you again, FSU."

This is quite a surprise as Watkins was one of the Seminoles' top targets at wide receiver. He's also a local recruit and former prep teammate of true freshman defensive end Cam Brooks.

I will no longer be taking an OV to FSU. Thank you to all the staff at FSU for the opportunity and support. No hard feelings at all — much respect to everyone involved in recruiting me at fsu. Thank you again, FSU.@CoachAtkins_M @TomLoy247
— Jabari Watkins (@jabariwatkins18) May 12, 2026

Watkins has official visits set to Louisville, Arkansas, and Georgia Tech. He's planning to announce a commitment on July 1. Florida State is no longer in the running.

During his junior season at Thomas County Central, Watkins was a starter on a team that went 15-0 and won a state title. He caught 55 passes for 847 yards and 11 touchdowns.

The 6-foot-2, 180-pound wide receiver is regarded as the No. 253 overall prospect, the No. 34 WR, and the No. 26 recruit in Georgia in the 2027 class according to the 247Sports Composite Ratings.