The recruiting battle between Clemson and Florida State is heating up early in the 2027 cycle, and one of the most intriguing names at the center of it is Jamarin Simmons - a rising wide receiver out of Tallahassee’s Amos P. Godby High School. Simmons is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after prospects in the country, and with 15 scholarship offers already on the table, the race to land him is just getting started.
What makes this recruitment particularly compelling is the geography. Simmons is a local product, right in Florida State’s backyard.
But Clemson, never shy about going into rival territory for elite talent, is making a serious push to lure him out of the Sunshine State and up to South Carolina. The Tigers are clearly not just another name on his offer list - they’re currently viewed as the frontrunner.
According to recent recruiting intel, Simmons has identified Clemson, Florida, Mississippi State, Auburn, Tennessee, and Florida State as the programs standing out to him right now. He’s expected to visit Clemson soon, and all signs point to Dabo Swinney’s program being the team to beat at this stage. That’s a significant development for a player who’s not only one of the top wideouts in Florida but also ranked as the No. 6 overall prospect in the state, per 247Sports.
At 5-foot-11 and 152 pounds, Simmons brings a blend of speed and route-running precision that makes him a nightmare for defenders in space. He’s not just a burner - he’s got the kind of polish in his game that coaches love to see this early in a prospect’s development. And while he’s still “far from a decision,” according to reports, the window is open for programs to make their pitch.
For Florida State, this is a must-win type of recruitment. Not just because Simmons is a local star, but because of the broader context.
Mike Norvell hasn’t taken the Seminoles to a bowl game since that 13-1 campaign in 2023, and the momentum that once surrounded the program has started to waver. Struggles in the transfer portal and inconsistency on the recruiting trail have made it harder to stack the kind of talent FSU needs to return to national prominence.
Keeping a player like Simmons home would be a major statement - and a much-needed one.
Clemson, meanwhile, is sticking to its identity. While much of college football has leaned heavily into the transfer portal era, Swinney has remained committed to building through high school recruiting.
That philosophy took a hit in 2025 when the Tigers stumbled after winning the ACC title the year before, but it hasn’t changed their approach. Landing Simmons would be a big win for a program trying to bounce back and reassert itself atop the conference.
Despite the Tigers’ current edge, Florida State isn’t backing down. Simmons is planning another visit to Tallahassee, and Norvell’s staff will have every opportunity to make their case. This is the type of recruitment that can shift momentum for a program - and both coaching staffs know it.
Beyond Simmons, Florida State is also working to flip a pair of committed prospects. Oregon pledge Cameron Pritchett was on campus recently and came away impressed, while Alabama commit Jabarrius Garror also visited and reportedly had a strong experience. These efforts reflect a broader push by the Seminoles to reestablish themselves as a recruiting force, especially in a state as talent-rich as Florida.
But make no mistake - Simmons is the crown jewel here. He’s the kind of player who can change a game - and maybe even a program’s trajectory. Whether he stays home or heads to Clemson, his decision is going to be one of the more closely watched storylines of this recruiting cycle.