During the disappointing 2024 season, the Florida State Seminoles experienced a number of recruits withdrawing their verbal commitments to the program. While most of the departures came from the 2025 class, the Seminoles also lost a key member of their 2026 class, four-star linebacker Izayia Williams.
As Williams approaches his senior year, he has made his fourth high school recruitment commitment. On Thursday evening, Williams announced that he would be pledging to the Florida Gators, stating that he is now “100% shut down.
” Given his history, this statement may be worth taking at face value. Williams’ commitment history includes an initial pledge to Louisville in November 2023, which he later backed away from in January 2024. He then committed to Syracuse in April before reopening his recruitment on August 4.
Williams hopped on board with Florida State just a few weeks later on September 4. He decommitted for the third time in less than a year on November 7. The past tells us that another change could very well be coming before Williams signs with a program this December.
Izayia Williams, a standout linebacker from Tavares High School, is generating significant buzz in the recruiting world. As a junior, Williams made a substantial impact on both sides of the ball, accumulating impressive stats. On defense, he recorded 125 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, four sacks, one fumble recovery, and one interception, which he returned 57 yards for a touchdown. Offensively, he added 23 carries for 423 yards and six touchdowns, along with five catches for 97 yards and four more scores.
Williams’ impressive junior season was highlighted by several notable performances. He recorded 20 tackles and one tackle for loss in a narrow defeat to Mount Dora High School on October 14. Against Deltona High School on October 28, he rushed for 103 yards and two touchdowns, while also contributing 15 tackles and one tackle for loss on defense. Tavares High School finished the 2024 season with a 7-3 record.
Williams, a 6-foot-1.5, 215-pound linebacker, is considered one of the top prospects in the 2026 class. According to 247Sports, he ranks as the No. 54 overall prospect, the No. 3 linebacker, and the No. 6 recruit in Florida. Williams has recently included Florida State in his top-5, alongside Florida, Alabama, Georgia, and Penn State. He has already visited FSU for a junior day in January and has an official visit scheduled to Tallahassee from June 20-22.
Florida State’s 2026 recruiting class currently ranks No. 12 in the country, with seven verbal commitments. The Seminoles recently landed three-star linebacker Karon Maycock, and Williams’ potential commitment would be a significant boost to their recruiting efforts.
