Florida State football secured its second defensive commitment of the week for the 2026 recruiting class with the pledge of linebacker Noah LaVallee from Walton High School in Marietta, Georgia. LaVallee announced his decision on Tuesday, choosing FSU over top contender Ole Miss. Noah held 27 offers including some notable names like Georgia Tech, North Carolina, Michigan State, and Ole Miss. He’s listed as a three-star according to the 247 Composite and the 105th-ranked linebacker in the 2026 class.
LaVallee joins his older brother, Caleb LaVallee, who recently transferred to Florida State from the University of North Carolina, creating their own legacy within the program. While the family tie is an advantage, sources close to his recruitment emphasized that FSU pursued Noah independently, offering him back in April 2024, before Caleb’s transfer. The Seminoles staff were the first to offer the younger LaVallee brother.
The 6-foot-2, 220-pound linebacker brings impressive production to Tallahassee. In his junior season for the Walton Raiders, LaVallee led the team with a remarkable 124 total tackles, adding eight tackles for loss and one sack in Georgia’s tough 7-A division.
LaVallee possesses a solid tool bag upon which to build. His tape showcases a player with excellent fluidity in moving around the field and an ability to attack downhill. He’s also shown the ability to cover in space. His skill set provides versatility in how he can be used in Tony White’s defense. However, there are likely a few years of development needed to hone his game into that of a quality starter at the Power 4 level, but the potential is there. LaVallee has been insanely productive racking up 124 tackles, but with only 8 TFLs, that shows the need to improve on making plays behind the line of scrimmage.
LaVallee’s decision came after official visits to both Ole Miss and Florida State. He expressed strong praise for Head Coach Mike Norvell and the culture surrounding the FSU program in post-commitment interviews. “It’s very strong as Coach Norvell is a big believer in what I can do on the field and how I’m a perfect fit for their program,” LaVallee stated. He also highlighted the consistent and personalized recruitment effort from Coach Norvell and linebackers Coach John Papuchis
Defensive coordinator Tony White’s 3-3-5 scheme also played a significant role in LaVallee’s choice. He sees himself as a natural fit in the defense, stating, “What excites me the most is playing in their 3-3-5 defense, coached by Coach White. I’m a great fit in their defense that allows linebackers to play fast and violent. I’m looking forward to making an impact as soon as I step foot on campus.”
With FSU’s recent flurry of commitments, their 2026 class now stands at 14 verbal pledges and has climbed into the top 20 of the 247 Composite national rankings. LaVallee is the second linebacker to commit to the class, joining three-star Karon Maycock. The Seminoles are actively pursuing other top linebacker targets, including five-star Xavier Griffin. Thanks for reading and Go Noles!
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