Florida State’s linebacker room has already taken on a new look this offseason, and Ernie Sims is wasting no time extending that energy onto the recruiting trail.
The Seminoles promoted Sims to linebackers coach and added a mix of experience and upside to the position group, bringing in transfers Chris Jones and Mikai Gbayor along with high school prospects like four-star Izayia Williams and three-star Karon Maycock. That group joins returners Omar Graham Jr. and Blake Nichelson, while Caleb LaVallee is aiming to work his way into the rotation after missing 2025 because of injury.
Sims has also been a driving force in Florida State’s recent recruiting run. In the last few weeks, he helped the Seminoles land four-star Jernard Albright, three-star Olrick Johnson III, and three-star CJ Ohuabunwa.
Now, FSU is looking even further ahead. Earlier this month, the program offered three-star linebacker Israel Samuel, a 2028 prospect out of Texas who is starting to draw national attention. Samuel described his conversation with Sims as “great” when he shared the offer on social media.
After a great conversation with @ErnieSims34 I’m extremely blessed to receive an offer from Florida State, Praise God for it all 🙏#agtg #onlythroughGod @CoachNelly1391 @CoachStewLH @GreedyU3 pic.twitter.com/dOYmRCTAqu
Samuel’s offer list has grown fast, with nearly 20 schools jumping in since the start of the year. Texas, Oregon, Alabama, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, and SMU are already among the programs involved.
He earned the Texas offer after a workout in front of the coaching staff.
Florida State has not yet hosted Samuel on campus, so that will be a key next step for the Seminoles this fall or early next year.
At Lake Highlands High School, the 6-foot-2, 195-pound sophomore picked up All-District honors. In the 2028 class, 247Sports Composite Ratings list him as the No. 369 overall prospect, the No. 23 linebacker, and the No. 44 player in Texas.
Florida State currently has two verbal commitments in #Tribe28, a class that sits No. 7 nationally.
In Other News...
Florida State Adds Duke Safety As Defensive Rebuild Keeps Rolling
Florida States defensive overhaul kept moving this week with the addition of former Duke safety Makhi Jones, a portal pickup for the 2026 season who gives Mike Norvell another piece to work with on that side of the ball. Jones arrives with three years of eligibility left after a steady 2025 at Duke, where he played in every game and chipped in 35 tackles and a fumble recovery.
The fit is the part that stands out most. Jones is expected to slide into rover and nickel duties in Tony Whites defense, adding another versatile body to a portal class that has already become a major part of Florida States rebuild. He is one of 24 transfer additions overall and one of seven brought in for the defense, a sign the Seminoles are still shaping this unit with an eye toward both depth and flexibility. [Read more 🡒]
FSU Just Made Clear Who Will Set The Tone On Defense
Florida State has spent the summer looking for the kind of defensive voice that can steady a young group, and Ashlynd Barker has been at the center of that conversation. The veteran safety has drawn consistent praise from the coaching staff for his work ethic and the way he carries himself in the program, the sort of presence that matters even before the pads come on. With his final season approaching, Barker is positioned to be one of the Seminoles most important figures in the secondary.
His offseason standing got another boost with the programs Break the Rock honor, a nod to the leadership and standard-setting that coaches want from their upperclassmen. It fits the way Florida State has described Barker throughout the summer workout period, as someone who sets an example in the room and on the field. For a defense that will lean on experience wherever it can find it, Barkers role looks less like a supporting piece and more like a tone-setter. [Read more 🡒]