Four-Star Defensive End, Former UNC Pledge Plans To Visit Florida State This Weekend

The Seminoles will have plenty of talent in Tallahassee for junior day.
Zavion Griffin-Haynes/Twitter

Florida State is continuing to ramp up its recruiting efforts this offseason. The Seminoles have hit the ground running with their revamped staff under head coach Mike Norvell and don't look to be slowing down anytime soon.

FSU is preparing to host a junior day this weekend with prospects from multiple classes flocking to Tallahassee. This is only the beginning of what will be a busy recruiting cycle for the Seminoles. There are a lot of boxes to check off before official visits kick off in the summer months.

On Tuesday, four-star defensive end Zavion Griffin-Haynes announced his plans to visit Florida State on Saturday. He's a coveted prospect who was previously pledged to North Carolina before decommitting on the day it was revealed that former head coach Mack Brown would not return to the program.

Griffin-Haynes has been exploring his options since then, picking up offers from Texas A&M, Maryland, Mississippi State, and Nebraska in January. He was recently visited by new North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick. Griffin-Haynes was one of the first recruits that Belichick met with which says a lot about how much the Tar Heels want him in their 2026 class.

READ MORE: Florida State Legacy Announces Commitment To SEC Program

The North Carolina native hasn't visited Florida State since last July. This will be an important trip for Griffin-Haynes to meet with Norvell and new defensive line coach Terrance Knighton. The Seminoles will likely be looking to lock in a return date, if not an official visit.

Griffin-Haynes took a visit to Georgia during the season. He's also seen South Carolina, NC State, and Ohio State, among others.

Griffin-Haynes also plays basketball at the prep level. As a sophomore, he averaged 2.3 points per game, 3.3 rebounds per game, and 0.4 steals per game.

The 6-foot-6, 220-pound defensive end is regarded as the No. 161 overall prospect, the No. 12 EDGE, and the No. 9 recruit in North Carolina in the 2026 class according to 247Sports.

Florida State holds six verbal commitments in its 2026 class which ranks No. 8 in the country. The Seminoles don't have a pledge from a defensive lineman yet.


READ MORE: Florida State Drops In On Blue-Chip Miami Commitment

Stick with NoleGameday for more FREE coverage of Florida State Football throughout the offseason

Follow NoleGameday on and TwitterFacebook, Instagramand TikTok

More Florida State News

• FSU Basketball Sets Program Record in Upset Victory Against Miami

• 13 Former Florida State Stars Advance To NFL Playoffs

 LA Chargers Safety, Former FSU Star Derwin James Earns AFC Defensive Player of the Month

 Florida State Among Programs Standing Out To Younger Brother Of Seminole Legend


Published
Dustin Lewis
DUSTIN LEWIS

Lewis joined NoleGameday in 2016 and is currently in the role of Editor-In-Chief. A graduate of Florida State, Lewis contributes to football, recruiting, and basketball coverage. Connect with Dustin on Twitter at @DustinLewisNG.