Florida State Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell holds his head between his legs during the second half against the Florida Gators at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, November 25, 2023. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun] Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK

Top FSU football target commits to rival Florida Gators

Originally posted on Florida State Seminoles on SI
By Dustin Lewis | Last updated Jun 14, 2025 7:00 AM ET

Florida State was dealt a setback on the recruiting trail to end off the week.

The Seminoles beat out the Gators for a top prospect on Thursday, now Florida has responded with a victory of its own.

On Friday, four-star running back Carsyn Baker announced he was committing to Florida over Florida State, South Carolina, and Ohio State.

The Seminoles got the final visit leading up to his decision as Baker was in Tallahassee last weekend. Obviously, that didn't matter with the blue-chip recruit going off the board to the Gators.

Baker was one of Florida State's top targets in the backfield. Head coach Mike Norvell continues to search for another recruit to add alongside four-star running back Amari Thomas.

BREAKING: Four-Star RB Carsyn Baker has Committed to Florida, he tells me for @on3recruits

The 6’2 200 RB from Fairburn, GA chose the Gators over Florida State, South Carolina, & Ohio State

“Gator Nation I’m home”https://t.co/TSz0gR8sHc pic.twitter.com/6vU68uPDbZ
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) June 14, 2025

As a junior, Baker rushed 145 times for 1,282 yards and 13 touchdowns while catching nine passes for 89 yards. He rushed for 100+ yards in six games, including a season-high eight carries for 149 yards and a touchdown in a 52-16 victory against Mays High School on August 23.

The 6-foot-0.5, 195-pound running back is regarded as the No. 187 overall prospect, the No. 15 RB, and the No. 22 recruit in Georgia in the 2026 class according to the 247Sports composite ratings.

Florida State holds 11 verbal commitments in its 2026 class which ranks No. 30 in the country.

Other targets at running back include four-star Derrek Cooper, four-star Ezavier Crowell, and four-star Jae Lamar.