UPDATE: UNC LB transfer Caleb LaVallee signs with Florida State

Florida State announced Friday afternoon that linebacker transfer Caleb LaVallee has officially signed with the Seminoles.

Here is that release from FSU:

Transfer linebacker Caleb LaVallee signed with Florida State, head coach Mike Norvell announced Friday.

“I’m excited we are adding Caleb to our program,” Norvell said. “He’s a dynamic athlete who possesses great speed and explosive power. He gained great experience in his first start in the bowl game, where he led his team in tackles, and was one of the most impactful special teams players as a freshman this past season. Caleb plays the game with great physicality, and I believe he will continue to develop into a top linebacker and be a tremendous fit for what we are looking for in the Nole Family.”

Caleb LaVallee | LB | 6-1 | 225 | Smyrna, Ga. | Whitefield Academy/North Carolina

Appeared in 15 games with one start over two seasons at North Carolina…tallied 14 tackles and 1.0 tackle for loss as redshirt freshman in 2024…start came in 2024 Fenway Bowl against UConn…led Tar Heels with nine tackles and added two-yard TFL against Huskies…blocked punt against James Madison…played four games as true freshman in 2023…four-star prospect out of Whitefield Academy…ranked as No. 15 inside linebacker and No. 30 player in Georgia by Rivals…first-team all-state selection…recorded 425 tackles, 18 sacks and 57 tackles for loss with four interceptions and three forced fumbles over three years at Whitefield.

EARLIER REPORT

After racking up on the offensive line and grabbing other key targets from the transfer portal in December, FSU got more good news on Friday as former North Carolina linebacker Caleb LaVallee announced he is transferring to Florida State.

The Seminoles earlier landed former Syracuse and Nebraska linebacker Stefon Thompson, as they try to add more firepower to the 3-3-5 defense being implemented by new defensive coordinator Tony White.

Unlike many of the other players FSU has picked up through the portal, LaVallee has not played a ton of college football. But the redshirt freshman did see extended playing time in the Tar Heels’ bowl game and finished with a team-high nine tackles.

LaVallee committed after taking a two-day visit this week. (Click here for a full story on LaVallee’s visit.)

The rising sophomore linebacker is a prospect that FSU head coach Mike Norvell had a high view of coming out of high school as the Seminoles offered and appeared to be a frontrunner for his commitment before he ended up choosing North Carolina.

The Georgia product was a three-star recruit coming out of high school. He posted 172 tackles, six sacks, 24 tackles for loss and three interceptions as a senior.

FSU has also already offered his younger brother and 2026 linebacker prospect Noah Lavalee.

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