Florida State landed another commitment for the trenches in their 2026 recruiting class, as highly sought-after defensive lineman James “Tank” Carrington announced his verbal pledge to the Noles on Monday. Carrington’s decision comes on the heels of an impactful official visit to Tallahassee this past weekend, where he ultimately chose FSU over other contenders like Nebraska and Arkansas. The Irvine, California, native out of Crean Lutheran holds an impressive 27 offers from Power 4 programs.
Carrington, a four-star prospect according to 247Sports Composite ratings, is considered the No. 357 overall recruit, the No. 41 defensive lineman, and the No. 34 player in California. Carrington’s commitment gives Florida State’s 2026 class its 12th verbal commitment and has climbed to 27th nationally in the 247 Class rankings. The 6-foot-2, 257-pound defensive lineman, known for his explosive power and quick first step, has been a national recruit since his freshman year. He showcased his disruptive abilities during his junior season, tallying 33 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and nine sacks.
Carrington’s recruitment has been a cross-country journey, having played high school football in Georgia, Maryland, Nevada, and California. Despite his widespread offers from powerhouse programs like Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Miami, LSU, Oregon, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and USC, the Seminoles made a lasting impression during his official visit.
Key to his decision was the strong connection he felt with the coaching staff and current players. “For me, what stood out the most was the connection here and it’s bigger than any college I’ve been to, especially within the defensive line room,” Carrington told reporters after his visit. He highlighted the family-like atmosphere and the genuine rapport between players and coaches, specifically mentioning head coach Mike Norvell, defensive coordinator Tony White, and defensive line coach Terrance Knighton.
Carrington noted that Coach Norvell’s emphasis on honesty throughout the recruitment process and beyond resonated deeply with him. Defensive line coach Terrance Knighton sees Carrington’s versatility as a major asset, envisioning him playing both defensive end and defensive tackle at the collegiate level, praising his speed for the edge and his size for the interior.
With “Tank” now in the fold, Florida State continues to build its 2026 class, adding another crucial piece. Carrington joins recent three-star commit Wihtlley Cadeau as the Noles’ second commitment for the defensive line. The Seminoles aim to continue their upward trajectory in the recruiting rankings during a busy month for official visits. Thanks for reading and Go Noles!
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