Florida State is kicking off its first major recruiting weekend of the new year, and it’s not just about evaluating transfer portal additions. The Seminoles are also setting their sights on the future-specifically, the class of 2027. And among the group of high-upside high school prospects heading to Tallahassee this weekend is a name that’s already generating national buzz: Cameron Pritchett.
Pritchett is no under-the-radar visitor. The 6-foot-3, 231-pound edge rusher out of Thompson High School in Alabaster, Alabama, is currently committed to Oregon, having made that pledge back on June 2, 2025, just ahead of his junior season. But despite his verbal commitment to the Ducks, Pritchett will be on campus in Tallahassee this weekend, giving Mike Norvell and his staff their first in-person opportunity in 2026 to make an impression.
And make no mistake: Pritchett is the kind of player who can anchor a defensive front. Through three varsity seasons, he’s already racked up 15.5 sacks and 36 tackles for loss-including a standout freshman campaign where he notched six sacks.
His production hasn’t slowed, and neither has his impact on the field. He helped lead Thompson to an Alabama Class 7A state title last season, adding a championship pedigree to his already impressive résumé.
What makes this visit even more intriguing is the timing. Oregon recently lost defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi, who left to take over as head coach at Cal.
Lupoi played a key role in Pritchett’s recruitment, and his departure leaves a significant void in Eugene-one that Florida State could look to exploit. With Oregon still searching for a new defensive coordinator, Norvell and FSU DC Tony White have a window to pitch their vision of how Pritchett could thrive in garnet and gold.
January is often when the flip season starts heating up, and while Pritchett is the only known visitor this weekend who’s currently committed elsewhere, this is exactly the kind of early opportunity that coaching staffs circle on the calendar. Relationships are built in moments like these, and FSU will aim to plant a seed that could grow over the coming months.
But Pritchett isn’t the only 2027 standout making the trip. Florida State is also hosting Lawrence Britt, a dynamic two-way athlete out of Lausanne Collegiate School in Memphis. Britt is drawing attention as both a wide receiver and defensive back, and he’s already noted that the Seminoles are heavily involved in his recruitment.
Joining the group is another high-upside edge rusher: Santana Harvey from Lakeland. Like Pritchett, Harvey is a four-star prospect with the kind of frame and motor that defensive coordinators love to mold. His visit will give the staff a chance to evaluate him up close and continue building momentum with in-state talent.
This weekend is shaping up to be more than just a meet-and-greet. It’s a foundational moment for Florida State’s long-term recruiting strategy-especially with top-tier 2027 prospects like Pritchett in the building. The Seminoles are looking to reload, not rebuild, and weekends like this are where future stars start to see themselves in Tallahassee.