Yarborough is a 6-foot-5, 340-pound interior lineman from Chandler, Arizona, ranked No. 427 nationally and 28th among interior offensive linemen in the composite. He's taken official visits to all four finalists. The Rivals/On3 predictor currently has Cal leading at 20.2 percent with FSU at 12.5 percent and Mississippi State and Washington in between.

His quote after the FSU official visit says everything about where the program stands in his mind: "Coach Hand and coach Norvell talked to me about how I fit into their program, the culture they're building, and the opportunities available both on and off the field. They wanted to let me know that I am a top priority for them, like top-top. The conversations were really genuine and showed how much they believe in me as a player and person."

He started playing football in Minnesota before moving to Arizona, has a wrestling background (a genuine plus for an offensive lineman), and has shown no regional bias in his recruitment. Three different conferences are represented among his four finalists.

FSU took five offensive linemen in the 2026 class but has none committed in 2027. Herb Hand needs bodies in the trenches and a proven four-star prospect who visited and called it genuine is exactly the profile FSU should be closing.

The Seminoles' leverage: they got in late but made a strong impression. His interest in a balanced life on and off the field maps to what FSU pitches. And his class availability is more limited at programs whose rosters are already deeper, which helps FSU.

The honest assessment: Cal is sitting in the lead and has a strong pitch for an Arizona kid. This isn't a gimme. But FSU made enough of an impression that a win here is absolutely realistic if Hand and Norvell close hard this week.

Mandrell Desir is the centerpiece. He was one of the country's best freshman defenders in 2025, posting 30 tackles, 7.5 for loss, 6.5 sacks, and earning multiple freshman All-American honors. The next step is run defense, which fell off as his pass-rush spiked. He can't be a liability against the run as an every-down player at this level.

Darryll Desir was actually graded higher overall by PFF than his twin brother (67.9 vs. 61.0) despite recording fewer sacks. His 20 pressures across 142 pass-rush snaps represent real production. With more consistent opportunities in 2026, the ceiling is significant.

Daniel Lyons is the homegrown anchor at defensive tackle. He started every game in 2025 and was widely praised during spring. As a redshirt senior, this is his moment to be a difference-maker.

Rylan Kennedy, the Texas A&M transfer, had a huge spring that earned extensive staff praise. He managed 14 tackles and two sacks for the Aggies in a backup role. With a fresh start under Nick Williams, there's real belief he can produce at a starter level.

Texas State transfer Jordan Sanders missed all of spring with an injury but projects as a versatile piece who can play multiple spots along the line. His PFF tackling grade of 34.9 is a concern to watch.

True freshmen Earnest Rankins (major recruiting win over Auburn) and Franklin Whitley (former basketball player) both flashed in spring. Neither is expected to carry significant load in 2026, but Whitley's athleticism has already turned heads.

Deamontae Diggs returns from a season-ending neck injury suffered after recording a sack in the Alabama upset. He's a veteran presence the staff is eager to get back on the field.

"A year ago when we put the team together we were literally showing Sacramento Kings film. There was nothing to show outside of, 'Hey, this is what we're going to do. See De'Aaron Fox? This is going to be you. Look at Domantas Sabonis, this is going to be you. Being able to show film, and I think the biggest proof of concept was the style of play."

On the Lajae Jones draft pick and what it means for the pipeline: "I don't think it's a coincidence that the organization that coach Loucks worked in drafted one of our guys. There was a lot of conversations about Lajae with myself, with coach Loucks. People trust people that they know. We were able to give all of the background on Lajae, all of the positives, all of the negatives."

On what makes the three NBA opportunities meaningful beyond just the headline: "If you look at Chauncey Wiggins and you look at Robert McCray and Lajae Jones, those guys' numbers all went up from their previous stops. That's not normal in transfers, especially when you have guys come in from lower levels to the highest level."

Fly noted that each player who transferred to FSU last year improved statistically from their previous program. Wiggins went from 8.3 points at Clemson to 13.3 at FSU. Jones and McCray both elevated their games similarly. That's the development pitch, now backed by real numbers.

The question he posed for this year's group of transfers: "When you look at our transfers this year, Kam is a mid-major transfer. But we had more high-major to high-major transfers. I think their hope is, 'Hey, if they were able to improve those guys going from a lower level to a higher level, what can they do with the guys that we have now?'"

Context on FSU's 18-15 first year: the team opened ACC play 0-5, then went 10-3 to close the regular season, beating Cal in the ACC Tournament before losing a one-point game to No. 1 Duke. The development arc within Year 1 was real.

Wes Mendes (projected early-to-mid 2nd round): The ACC Pitcher of the Year and First Team All-American. He expanded to a five-pitch mix this season. If he signs, FSU loses its ace and its staff has significant work to do.

Myles Bailey (projected mid 2nd-3rd round): The most complicated case. He needs to get drafted in roughly the first 80 picks (or receive ~$1M in slot value) to sign. His underlying metrics before injury were elite. FSU is hoping NIL can help retain him, but if Bailey gets his number, he's likely gone.

Landon Thome (high school commit, potential 1st-round range): Thome has been skyrocketing up draft boards, with some mock drafts projecting him into the second half of the first round. A steal for FSU if he makes it to campus. The expectation in the industry is he gets drafted.

Kaden Waechter (high school commit, projected 2nd round): So polished that most people in the industry would be shocked if he slips through. His instant impact would be enormous.

An infielder for the 2B/3B competition, preferably left-handed for lineup balance. Cooper Malamazian fills shortstop but the corners need depth.

A first baseman if Bailey signs. Jackson McKenzie is on the roster but was primarily a DH at FAMU.

Two pitchers with starting experience or starter arsenals. UConn transfer Cayden Suchy is the Friday starter. After that, the rotation is unsettled.

Outfield depth: both Brody DeLamielleure and Genson Veras carry draft risk, and FSU may need insurance.

Ranked No. 25 overall in the 2027 class, 6-foot-5 shooting guard Jarvis Hayes Jr. is planning visits to Florida State, Miami, and Georgia Tech. He's the son of former Georgia standout and NBA lottery pick Jarvis Hayes, but is making his own decision with full parental support to explore freely.

His quote on FSU is encouraging: "They text me every day. I have a big group chat with my whole family and their whole staff." That kind of consistent contact with the whole family is exactly how Loucks has built his program's recruiting culture.

His two key wants from a program: "I like a family-oriented team and I like to play fast." FSU checks both boxes explicitly. His father is on staff at Georgia, which he acknowledged, but is not pushing him in that direction.

He has a rising offensive game to complement his defensive identity and is described as long, athletic, and versatile. A top-25 prospect who plays like this at 6-5 is exactly the profile Loucks should be recruiting hard.

Per 247Sports' Georgia recruiting pipeline report, Poole "has been trending to Florida State since he visited there in the middle of June, but the inclusion of Georgia on the official visit schedule late added an unexpected wrinkle." The Seminoles still sit in the best shape heading into an expected mid-July announcement.

One note of caution: sources indicate this is a recruitment that "many believe will still have some life heading to December" even after an initial announcement. The Poole saga may not end cleanly whenever he commits.

The two-time national champion swept the indoor 60 and outdoor 100-meter titles this season, won back-to-back ACC Women's MVP honors, set school and conference records, and posted times that rank in collegiate history. The Scholar-Athlete award is the final piece of one of the most complete senior campaigns in FSU track history.

Nineteen total Seminoles earned All-ACC Academic honors across the men's and women's track and cross country programs. On the women's side, notable honorees include long-distance freshman standout Rylee Blade (who was also the ACC Freshman of the Year), Kayla Pinkard, Oluwadara Soremi, and Suus Altorf. On the men's side, Neo Mosebi (back-to-back All-ACC Academic), Shamar Reid (ACC outdoor discus champion), and Justin Woulard (mechanical engineering) were among the 19 honored.