2024 was one of the worst years the FSU football program has ever endured. Yes, somehow, they are still really good when it comes to recruiting.

Now, no, they are not the USC, Oregon, or LSU of the world at the moment, but they are still considered to be one of the best 25 schools in the country when it comes to recruiting. And, earlier this week, they proved that with some pretty big news regarding top receiver recruits in the country.

This time it was Calvin Russell.

Calvin Russell is one of the top wide receiver prospects in the 2026 class from Northwestern High School in Miami, Florida. And, he certainly has the potential to be one of the very best at the next level, too. At 6'5" with a 6'10" wingspan, his size and athleticism make him a tough matchup for anyone, let alone a bunch of high school kids. 

A four-star recruit, he’s ranked as high as No. 4 among wide receivers and No. 23 overall by 247Sports and On3. He has over 35 college offers from schools like Michigan, Miami, Florida, Florida State, LSU, Oregon, Syracuse, and North Carolina. He's narrowed down his list to a top eight, and the Seminoles, a team that seems to be hot recruiting right now, are in the top eight.

He’s also a standout basketball player, averaging 18.8 points and six rebounds as a freshman. And, believe it or not, playing another sport and being good at that one as well could go a long way in proving just how much of an athlete he is and how coachable he is.

He’s visited LSU, USC, and Michigan, with Florida schools showing strong interest. And, FSU seems to be a team that he has a real shot at committing to. There is another receiver out there who also just put the Seminoles in his top list of schools he could commit to, in Brandon Bennett. If he chose FSU, you never know what kind of chain reaction that could start.

Even being in the running for players like this after a terrible season like the one they had in 2025 is a huge win.