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Florida State football may have found its quarterback to represent the 2026 class.
Four-star prospect Jaden O'Neal announced on Thursday that he has decommitted from Oklahoma after pledging with the Sooners a year ago.
FSU has picked up momentum in recent weeks after landing five commits, mainly on the defensive side.
O'Neal, a California native who now resides in Oklahoma, was among the top three quarterbacks FSU has been targeting throughout the recruiting process.
Keisean Henderson, a Houston commit, and Landon Duckworth, who turned his attention to Auburn and South Carolina, were the other two QBs FSU was pursuing.
O'Neal has been visiting the FSU campus all week and left on Wednesday. Prior to that, he visited Arizona back in May.
If the Seminoles secure O'Neal, they will have 15 verbal commitments in 2026 and boost their national rankings after adding another blue-chip prospect. FSU is ranked No. 22 in 247Sports' national team ranking.
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O'Neal is from Long Beach, California, and played for two different high schools in the state.
In his sophomore year, he played for Newport Beach, where he threw for 2,475 passing yards and 27 touchdowns with a 61 percent completion percentage.
He then transferred to Narbonne in Harbor City, where he threw for 3,040 yards, 28 TDs, and four picks. He also completed 61 percent of his passes.
He moved to Oklahoma to play his final year at Mustang High School. 247Sports has him ranked as the No. 1 QB in the Sooner State and No. 14 overall. He currently has 30 offers. FSU offered him on Feb. 6, 2020, by QB coach Tony Tokarz.
More: FSU football lands commitment from Noah LaVallee, brother of current Seminole linebacker
To play in Gus Malzahn's scheme, the quarterback must have mobility and can execute deep-ball throws. O'Neal fits that description.
O'Neal is poised in the pocket with the arm strength and accuracy to match his skillset. Completing 61 percent of his passes in back-to-back years shows how efficient he is as a pocket passer.
He may not be the most elusive runner on the field, but he can give an offense enough rushing yards to extend drives. He had four rushing touchdowns last season.
The 6-foot-3, 207-pounder has good awareness in his drop-backs and escape abilities. He has enough mobility to avoid pressure while getting the ball out quickly.
More: Florida State athletics can fund revenue sharing with new Board of Governors amendment
More: Gadsden County's Daylen Green excited to commit to Arkansas. FSU is still in pursuit
Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at [email protected] or on X @_Da_pistol.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Will QB Jaden O'Neal flip to Florida State Seminoles football?
Continue reading...
Four-star prospect Jaden O'Neal announced on Thursday that he has decommitted from Oklahoma after pledging with the Sooners a year ago.
FSU has picked up momentum in recent weeks after landing five commits, mainly on the defensive side.
O'Neal, a California native who now resides in Oklahoma, was among the top three quarterbacks FSU has been targeting throughout the recruiting process.
Keisean Henderson, a Houston commit, and Landon Duckworth, who turned his attention to Auburn and South Carolina, were the other two QBs FSU was pursuing.
O'Neal has been visiting the FSU campus all week and left on Wednesday. Prior to that, he visited Arizona back in May.
If the Seminoles secure O'Neal, they will have 15 verbal commitments in 2026 and boost their national rankings after adding another blue-chip prospect. FSU is ranked No. 22 in 247Sports' national team ranking.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
Who is Jaden O'Neal
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O'Neal is from Long Beach, California, and played for two different high schools in the state.
In his sophomore year, he played for Newport Beach, where he threw for 2,475 passing yards and 27 touchdowns with a 61 percent completion percentage.
He then transferred to Narbonne in Harbor City, where he threw for 3,040 yards, 28 TDs, and four picks. He also completed 61 percent of his passes.
He moved to Oklahoma to play his final year at Mustang High School. 247Sports has him ranked as the No. 1 QB in the Sooner State and No. 14 overall. He currently has 30 offers. FSU offered him on Feb. 6, 2020, by QB coach Tony Tokarz.
More: FSU football lands commitment from Noah LaVallee, brother of current Seminole linebacker
What could Jaden O'Neal bring to FSU's offense?
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To play in Gus Malzahn's scheme, the quarterback must have mobility and can execute deep-ball throws. O'Neal fits that description.
O'Neal is poised in the pocket with the arm strength and accuracy to match his skillset. Completing 61 percent of his passes in back-to-back years shows how efficient he is as a pocket passer.
He may not be the most elusive runner on the field, but he can give an offense enough rushing yards to extend drives. He had four rushing touchdowns last season.
The 6-foot-3, 207-pounder has good awareness in his drop-backs and escape abilities. He has enough mobility to avoid pressure while getting the ball out quickly.
More: Florida State athletics can fund revenue sharing with new Board of Governors amendment
Florida State's 2026 commits
- Brandon Bennett, wide receiver, American Heritage (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)
- Efrem White, wide receiver, Vero Beach (Vero Beach, Florida), 4-star
- James Carrington, defensive line, Crean Lutheran (Irvine, California), 4-star
- Noah LaVallee, linebacker, Walton (Marietta, Georgia), 3-star
- Sean Johnson, cornerback, Archbishop Spalding (Severn, Maryland), 3-star
- Tedarius Hughes, safety, Northwestern (Miami, Florida), 3-star
- Darryl Bell III, safety, Barbara Gorman (Hialeah, Florida), 3-star
- Amari Thomas, running back, Blountstown (Blountstown, Florida) 3-star
- Darryon Williams, wide receiver, Plant (Tampa, Florida), 3-star
- Xavier Payne, offensive line, Edison (Miami, Florida), 3-star
- Karon Maycock, linebacker, Miami Central (Miami, Florida), 3-star
- Michael Ionata, offensive line, Calvary Christian (Clearwater, Florida), 3-star
- Wihtlley Cadeau, defensive line, Booker T. Washington (Atlanta, Georgia), 3-star
More: Gadsden County's Daylen Green excited to commit to Arkansas. FSU is still in pursuit
Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at [email protected] or on X @_Da_pistol.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Will QB Jaden O'Neal flip to Florida State Seminoles football?
Continue reading...
