Florida State has officially locked in its quarterback for the 2026 class, and it’s a name Seminoles fans have been tracking for months: Jaden O’Neal.
O’Neal, a four-star signal-caller out of Mustang High School in Oklahoma, flipped his commitment from Oklahoma to FSU back in late June. That decision came just days after the Sooners made a key change at offensive coordinator, replacing Seth Littrell with Ben Arbuckle ahead of the 2025 season.
The move shifted Oklahoma’s quarterback recruiting priorities, and O’Neal took notice. With FSU already showing strong interest, the Seminoles staff moved quickly-and effectively-to secure his commitment.
Now, with pen to paper, O’Neal is officially part of #Tribe26.
What FSU Is Getting in Jaden O’Neal
Let’s start with the numbers. O’Neal threw for 2,622 yards and 29 touchdowns this past season, completing 61% of his passes and tossing just three interceptions. That kind of efficiency-nearly a 10:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio-speaks to his decision-making and ball security, two traits that often separate good high school quarterbacks from great ones.
He’s not a dual-threat quarterback in the traditional sense. O’Neal doesn’t have elite mobility, and he’s not going to break off 40-yard scrambles or consistently extend plays outside the pocket.
That said, he’s not a statue, either. His footwork is solid enough to operate within the structure of an offense like Gus Malzahn’s, which leans on tempo, spacing, and quick reads.
He may not be a perfect schematic fit, but he’s more than capable of executing the offense with precision-especially if his accuracy continues to improve.
A Strong Resume Across Three States
O’Neal’s journey to Tallahassee has been anything but linear. He’s played high school ball in three different programs across two states, and he’s produced at every stop.
As a senior at Mustang, he led his team to the 6A-I quarterfinals in Oklahoma’s state playoffs, completing 151 passes for 2,622 yards and 29 touchdowns over 10 games. Before that, he spent his junior season at Narbonne High School in California, where he completed 71% of his passes for 1,798 yards, 17 touchdowns, and just one interception in eight games. And as a sophomore at Newport Harbor, also in California, he threw for 2,475 yards and 27 touchdowns with 209 completions.
That’s three seasons, three systems, and consistent production across the board. It’s rare to see a high school quarterback who’s been that adaptable and steady despite changing environments, and it speaks volumes about his football IQ and work ethic.
Where He Stands Nationally
The recruiting rankings paint a clear picture of a player with high upside. According to the 247Sports Composite, O’Neal is the No. 344 overall player in the nation, the 24th-ranked quarterback, and the fourth-best player in the state of Oklahoma. ESPN is even higher on him, slotting him at No. 173 nationally in their SCNext 300, while naming him the No. 8 quarterback and the top overall prospect in Oklahoma.
He held more than 30 offers at one point, including from heavyweights like Georgia, Auburn, and of course, Oklahoma. That kind of attention doesn’t come without real talent-and FSU beat out some major programs to land him.
The Bottom Line
Jaden O’Neal may not be the flashiest quarterback in the 2026 class, but he brings a steady hand, a strong arm, and a proven track record of production. He’s shown he can lead, adapt, and take care of the football-traits that will serve him well in Tallahassee.
Florida State needed to land a quarterback who could be developed into a long-term starter, and they’ve done just that. O’Neal’s not a finished product, but the foundation is there. With time in the system and continued growth, he has all the tools to become a key piece of the Seminoles’ future.