Florida State added another name to its recruiting board on Tuesday, extending an offer to four-star defensive back DeNairo Girton Jr. as the Seminoles continue working through both fall camp prep and the future of their roster.
Girton Jr., a rising junior in the 2028 cycle, shared the news on social media and tagged safeties coach Evan Cooper in the post. The Maryland prospect has already built a hefty offer list, with more than 15 schools involved in his recruitment since February. Michigan, Auburn, Tennessee, Florida, Indiana, UCLA, and Virginia Tech are among the programs that have jumped in.
Blessed to receive an offer from Florida State University 🍢🍢 @FSUFootball @evancooper2 @BrianDohn247 @adamgorney @ChadSimmons_ @Hayesfawcett3 @SWiltfong_ @SMAC_Football @DemetricDWarren @FTRreport @DC_CoachLux #FTR #AGTG pic.twitter.com/wjkbQJxzju
The Seminoles are looking ahead in a class where most of the #Tribe27 spots are already spoken for, and that has shifted some of the attention toward younger targets in future cycles. Girton Jr. fits that mold as one of the more highly regarded prospects Florida State has gone after this summer.
He spent a busy offseason on the road, visiting Penn State three times and also making a stop at Ohio State. Getting him on campus in Tallahassee will now be a clear priority for Florida State.
At Great Mills High School, Girton Jr. put together a strong sophomore season. The 6-foot-3, 185-pound safety finished with 31 tackles, one tackle for loss, one fumble recovery returned for a touchdown, and two interceptions, including one he took back for a score.
According to the 247Sports Composite Ratings, Girton Jr. ranks as the No. 150 overall prospect, the No. 13 safety, and the No. 6 player in Maryland in the 2028 class.
Florida State currently has two verbal commitments in #Tribe28, a group that sits No. 7 in the country.
In Other News...
Ernie Sims Keeps FSU Linebacker Recruiting Surge Rolling
Florida States linebacker room has been one of the more active areas of the roster since Ernie Sims was promoted to linebackers coach, and the early returns on the recruiting trail have matched the staffs urgency. Sims has already helped the Seminoles land several linebacker commitments while the program continues to mix in experienced transfers and high school additions, giving the position group both immediate depth and a longer-term pipeline.
The next name on the board is Israel Samuel, a 2028 three-star linebacker out of Texas whom Florida State has offered as the search for future talent keeps rolling. Samuel already has a crowded offer sheet that includes several national powers, and the Seminoles are working to get him on campus in the near future, with a visit still to be arranged. [Read more 🡒]
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 🡒]