Florida State just landed a cornerstone for its 2026 class - and his name is Chauncey “Chuck” Kennon.
The 6’1”, 175-pound defensive back out of Booker High School in Sarasota, Florida, is a game-changer. Kennon is the kind of talent that turns heads and sets the tone for an entire recruiting cycle.
He’s not just the top-rated player in FSU’s 2026 haul - he’s the kind of athlete who can help elevate a program. And judging by the nearly 40 offers he pulled in from college football’s biggest brands, the rest of the country saw it too.
Florida State beat out Georgia, LSU, Miami, and Florida for Kennon’s commitment back in July - and he’s been all-in ever since. He even made it permanent with an FSU tattoo, following in the footsteps of Seminole great Derwin James. That’s the kind of confidence and commitment you want from your top recruit.
According to the 247Sports Composite, Kennon ranks as the No. 41 overall player in the country, the No. 3 cornerback, and the No. 2 player in Florida. He’s climbed the rankings this year, moving up from the 60s into the national top 50 - and when you flip on the tape, it’s easy to see why. This is a borderline five-star with NFL-level potential.
Kennon is an elite athlete with a prototypical frame for a modern corner. He plays both sides of the ball at Booker - wide receiver and defensive back - and that two-way experience shows up in his instincts and ball skills.
His ability to read quarterbacks, track the ball in the air, and make adjustments mid-play is already at a high level. He’s fluid in coverage, explosive in his breaks, and brings the kind of versatility that coaches love - someone who can thrive in multiple schemes and adjust on the fly.
And he’s not just a football player. Kennon’s a standout on the track as well, qualifying for the state meet in the 200-meter dash and winning a county title. That speed translates directly to the field, where he covers ground in a hurry and closes on receivers with authority.
This season, Kennon has helped lead Booker to a 12-1 record and a spot in the 3A state semifinals. Across his junior and senior years, he’s totaled 48 tackles, three tackles for loss, and two interceptions.
In 2025 alone, he’s recorded 15 tackles, two TFLs, and one pick. As a junior, he filled up the stat sheet: 33 tackles, one interception, one forced fumble, and a whopping 16 pass breakups.
Oh, and he’s not just a shutdown corner - he’s a playmaker on offense too, hauling in 18 catches for 473 yards and eight touchdowns.
Before his senior season even kicked off, Kennon was already earning national recognition, named a Preseason MaxPreps All-American. And now, with signing day here, he’s officially a Seminole.
This is the kind of recruiting win that echoes back to the program’s peak - the days when FSU routinely landed elite Florida talent and turned them into stars. Kennon has all the tools to contribute early, and don’t be surprised if he cracks the rotation as a freshman. He’s that polished, that versatile, and that ready.
Bottom line: Florida State just locked in a future difference-maker.