Has FSU found its 2026 QB? 'Noles trending in big way for California signal-caller
Florida State has been making moves with several top quarterbacks in the 2026 class, including Faizon Brandon and Dia Bell, who were on campus just a few weeks ago.
However, with Brandon trending to Tennessee and Bell’s commitment to Texas this week, it seems like Florida State is channeling its attention to four-star Brady Smigiel.
And with two On3 experts putting in new RPM picks for Florida State to land Smigiel, the Seminoles now have a commanding lead in this race, with a 94.9 percent chance of landing him on the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.
On3’s vice president or recruiting and transfer portal, Steve Wiltfong, and On3’s director of recruiting, Chad Simmons, have put in picks for Smigiel to land at Florida State with a 60 percent confidence.
According to the On3 Industry Ranking, the 6-foot-4.5, 215-pound quarterback from Newbury Park, Calif., is the No. 43 overall recruit in the 2026 class, as well as the No. 5 quarterback.
This would not be the first time Mike Norvell and staff went to the Golden State to recruit a quarterback. In the class of 2022, the Seminoles landed former four-star AJ Duffy from Inland Empire, Calif. — he has since transferred to San Diego State. Also, transfer quarterback and expected 2024 starter DJ Uiagalelei is from Southern California.
Smigiel visited Florida State for the first time earlier this spring, and the Seminoles made a great impression.
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“The overall visit was amazing,” Smigiel told Warchant. “Being able to meet Coach Norvell and the whole staff as soon as I walked in was really special. First impressions were great!”
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A preexisting relationship between Smigiel’s family and Florida State’s director of high school relations, Ryan Bartow, has played a big part in this recruitment. Quarterbacks coach Tony Tokarz also has played a big role, especially with Southern California being one of his recruiting territories.
“I loved being around Coach Tokarz,” Smigiel said. “He’s been recruiting me for two or three years now, and we have a very good relationship.”
Smigiel will visit Florida State again after the recruiting dead period at the end of July for Norvell’s annual Seminole Showcase camp.
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