College football recruiting in the modern era is as unpredictable as a last-second Hail Mary. With NIL deals and unlimited visits changing the game, verbal commitments are now more like a courtesy than a sealed deal. Take Mike Norvell and Florida State’s wild run last fall as an example. The Seminoles saw 10 players decommit from the program but flipped 12 recruits of their own to conclude the 2025 recruiting cycles. More, there’s trouble in Sunshine State as this top 4-star recruit has already tested the waters with two commitments—and now he’s hinting that a third might be on the horizon.

Jaelen Waters, a four-star cornerback out of Seffner (Fla.) Armwood, Florida, is back on the market for the second time in less than a year. After initially committing to Norvell’s FSU in April, Waters decommitted just a month later, choosing instead to join Billy Napier’s Florida Gators. That, too, turned out to be short-lived. On Saturday, Waters announced that he was reopening his recruitment once again, signaling a potential move to another ACC power. Per multiple reports from On3’s Hayes Fawcett.

The On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM) currently projects that Jaelen Waters is most likely to land at Miami, giving the Hurricanes a 52.1% chance of securing his commitment. And if the latest buzz is any indication, Mario Cristobal’s program is surging ahead in the race. Waters, a 6-foot-2, 180-pound lockdown defender, isn’t just another highly-rated recruit—he’s a game-changer in the secondary. Ranked as the No. 120 overall player and the No. 11 cornerback in the 2026 cycle, he’s been courted by some of the biggest names in college football.

With 54 offers to his name, Waters has had no shortage of options. But he’s made it clear that staying close to home is a priority. In a January interview with On3’s Chad Simmons, he emphasized Miami’s strong push, saying, “Florida and Miami are two home schools for me because I live in Florida. They’re always pushing for me. It is Miami; the coaches want me there, and it is always great to be around the people at Miami.” That statement now looms larger than ever as he inches closer to a final decision.

For Noles head coach Mike Norvell, this latest twist in Waters’ recruitment is another reminder of just how fluid commitments have become. Norvell will lose a junior, Waters, who totaled 20 tackles, one fumble recovery, three pass deflections, and two interceptions. His initial decommitment stung, and now, with Miami in pole position, the chances of getting him back in garnet and gold appear slim.

Forget Waters; Mike Norvell’s building something special at FSU

Losing a talented recruit always stings! And yeah, losing Waters is a gut punch, no doubt. But Florida State isn’t sitting around sulking. Well, you know what? Mike Norvell and his staff don’t have time to dwell on what could’ve been.

Florida State is still building something special. The Seminoles’ 2026 class is shaping up nicely, currently ranked No. 12 in the nation. They’ve already secured six verbal commitments. This includes four-star safety Darryl Bell III and three-star safety Tedarius Hughes—two defensive playmakers who could help fill the void left by Jaelen Waters. But heads up though, Hughes has a Miami visit lined up for late May.

On the offensive side, Norvell has also brought in some serious firepower. Four-star wide receivers Efrem White and Darryon Williams are both dynamic talents who should make an immediate impact when they arrive in Tallahassee. The ‘Noles are stacking talent.