Oct 5, 2024; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell looks on during the second half against the Clemson Tigers at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images Melina Myers-Imagn Images

Florida State out-recruited by Big Ten program for top prospect

Originally posted on Florida State Seminoles on SI
By Dustin Lewis | Last updated Jun 10, 2025 9:00 AM ET

Florida State's recruiting efforts are taking a hit as the calendar nears the midway point of June.

The Seminoles have already hosted two dozen official visitors over the last two weekends but one of those recruits has decided to commit elsewhere.

On Monday evening, four-star offensive tackle Johnnie Jones announced he was committing to UCLA following an official visit to the West Coast. Jones was previously at Florida State from May 30 to June 1.

The Seminoles cracked his top six last month alongside UCLA, Ole Miss, Penn State, Colorado, and Vanderbilt. Jones was one of Florida State's top targets along the offensive line. Instead, the coaching staff will have to turn to other options moving forward.

At the same time, don't expect FSU to let up on Jones. After all, he's from the Sunshine State and with this decision coming on the heels of his trip to UCLA, the visit high might wear off before the Early Signing Period. It's not easy to go thousands of miles away from home.

BREAKING: Four-Star OT Johnnie “DJ” Jones has Committed to UCLA, he tells me for @on3recruits

The 6’7 315 OT from Bradenton, FL chose the Bruins over Vanderbilt, Penn State, & Florida State

He’s the No. 8 OT in the 2026 On300

“Isaiah 54:17 Go Bruins”https://t.co/ZZckssWMqk pic.twitter.com/9ObklaKO0b
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) June 10, 2025

Jones spent the last two seasons as the starting left tackle at Berkeley Prep. The program won a state championship in 2023.

The 6-foot-6, 305-pound offensive lineman is regarded as the No. 149 overall prospect, No. 12 OT, and the No. 18 recruit in Florida in the 2026 class according to 247Sports.

Florida State holds ten verbal commitments in its 2026 class which ranks No. 32 in the country. The Seminoles previously landed three-star offensive tackle Xavier Payne and three-star interior offensive lineman Michael Ionata.

Other options on the board at offensive tackle include four-star Samuel Roseborough, three-star Aaron Thomas, three-star Da'Ron Parks, three-star Javeion Cooper, and three-star Ben Mubenga.