It's a weird time to be a Noles fan. If you're looking for the quick answer to what rank is FSU football, it’s a bit of a "good news, bad news" situation. As of January 17, 2026, Florida State is technically unranked in the major polls like the AP and Coaches.
They finished the 2025 season with a 5-7 record.
Honestly, after that massive win against Alabama to start the year, nobody saw a 2-6 conference finish coming. But that's college football for you. While the on-field results were a gut punch, the 2026 recruiting rankings tell a completely different story. Mike Norvell has the #14 recruiting class in the nation right now.
It’s basically a tale of two programs: the one that struggled to win close games last November and the one that’s absolutely killing it on the trail for the 2026 cycle.
Where FSU Stands in the 2026 Polls
Right now, since the 2025 season just wrapped up and we haven't hit the 2026 preseason yet, there is no official "number" next to Florida State's name in the AP Top 25. They aren't in the Top 25. They aren't even in the "receiving votes" category at the moment because of that 5-7 finish.
In the final 2025 ACC standings, the Seminoles landed at 13th place.
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It's a steep drop from the 2023 ACC Championship season. If you look at advanced metrics like the Team Rankings predictive power rating, they sit around #26. That suggests the team was actually better than their record showed, but "predictive" doesn't put trophies in the case.
Breaking Down the 2025 Rollercoaster
- The High: Beating #8 Alabama 31-17 in the opener.
- The Climb: Reaching as high as #7 in the AP Poll by late September.
- The Slide: Losing five straight games in October and November.
- The Result: Missing a bowl game entirely.
The stats are actually pretty wild when you dig in. FSU’s scoring offense was 22nd in the country, averaging 33 points per game. But the defense, while ranked 43rd nationally, couldn't get off the field in the red zone. They were tied for 101st in red zone defense. That’s how you end up with a losing record despite having a top-tier offense.
The 2026 Recruiting Rank: A Ray of Hope
If the current poll rank is depressing, the 2026 recruiting rank is the antidepressant. Currently, FSU holds the #14 national rank for the 2026 class according to On3 and 247Sports.
They are #2 in the ACC for recruiting, trailing only Miami.
Norvell has 32 players signed or committed, which is huge. He’s leaning heavily into high school talent rather than just the portal this time around. Some of the big names include Chauncey Kennon, a 5-star caliber cornerback, and Izayia Williams, a linebacker who basically lived in the backfield in high school.
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It’s a massive class. It’s also a risky one. Only 37% of these guys are "blue-chip" recruits (4 or 5 stars). That means the coaching staff is betting big on their ability to develop 3-star guys into Sunday players.
Why the Rank is FSU Football Matters for 2026
Recruiting rankings are great for "paper championships," but the real question is how this translates to the 2026 preseason polls. Most analysts expect FSU to start the 2026 season unranked but "receiving votes."
The schedule is the main reason why.
Florida State has been aggressive with their non-conference scheduling. While that looks good to the committee if you win, it’s a double-edged sword when you’re trying to climb back into the Top 25. The brand is still strong, though. Even after a 5-7 season, FSU is still pulling top-15 classes. That tells you that recruits still believe in the "Climb" or whatever the current slogan is in Tallahassee.
Key Factors for the 2026 Bounce Back
- Quarterback Stability: With Jaden O'Neal coming in, the room finally looks settled.
- Defensive Trench Depth: Signing guys like Earnest Rankins and Franklin Whitley (both 6'4"+ and 260lbs+) is a clear sign they’re tired of being bullied in the run game.
- The Malzahn Effect: Gus Malzahn’s first year as OC in 2025 saw the offense jump to 22nd in scoring. If he stays, that continuity is massive.
The Verdict on FSU's Current Status
So, what rank is FSU football? If you're talking about the 2025 season results, they are unranked and sitting at the bottom of the ACC. If you’re talking about future potential and 2026 talent acquisition, they are a top-15 program.
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It’s a polarized state of affairs.
The fans are restless. Mike Norvell is 38–34 overall at FSU now. That’s a .528 winning percentage. For a school with three national titles and a history of dominating the 90s, that’s just not going to cut it for long.
If you want to keep an eye on the "real" rank, watch the Spring Portal window. If FSU can land two starting-caliber offensive tackles—which was their biggest weakness last year—you’ll see their 2026 preseason projection jump significantly.
Check the 247Sports Composite rankings weekly as signing day approaches for the 2026 class. That's where the real movement is happening right now. You should also look at the "way-early" Top 25 lists that come out in February; if FSU isn't at least in the "Others Receiving Votes," the pressure on the coaching staff will be deafening by the time August rolls around.