rewrite this title Deadspin | Florida State lands pledge from 4-star DB Za’Kari Johnson

With the season less than two months away, the Florida State football team got some good news Tuesday night when four-star recruit Za’Kari Johnson committed to the Seminoles over other finalists Miami, Auburn, Syracuse and Georgia Tech.

Johnson, who plays for Miami (Fla.) Carol City High, recently reclassified from the 2028 recruiting class to 2027. He ranks as the No. 349 overall recruit, No. 21 athlete and No. 31 prospect from Florida in the 2027 class, according to 247Sports’ composite rankings.

While there was some debate about Johnson’s position at the next level. He played both quarterback and defensive back last season for Plantation (Fla.) High School before transferring. Johnson told 247Sports that the Seminoles intend to use him in the secondary.

Johnson is Florida State’s 14th commit in its 2027 class, the fourth of which is a four-star recruit. The Seminoles’ 2027 class ranks 53rd in the 247Sports recruiting class rankings.

Since being left out of the College Football Playoff in 2023 with a 13-0 record, Florida State has gone 7-17 the last two years under Mike Norvell, creating a hot seat entering his seventh season leading the program in 2026.

–Field Level Media