The recruiting game never ends in this day and age. With that being said, four-star safety commit Tedarius Hughes has still been a hot commodity on the recruiting trail as schools like the Nebraska Cornhuskers, Colorado Buffaloes, and Syracuse Orange are still making cases.
Hughes has been committed to the Seminoles for a year now. He’s taken his fair share of visits and been extended plenty of offers during that span. However, it’s the trust factor that Hughes has with FSU that keeps him committed.
“I’m still committed because I still trust in the program, still trust in Norvell,” Hughes told Noles247. “My DBs coach Pat Surtain. I just feel like who I want to be coached by, developed by. Still taking other visits just to weigh my options out and see everything. Pat Surtain is who I want to be coached by so that’s why I’m still a commit.”
FSU has seen its 2026 recruiting class rise in the rankings thanks to landing 12 commitments in June. In July, they’ve added their two highest-ranked pledges in four-star defensive lineman Earnest Rankins and five-star cornerback Chauncey Kennon.
It’s no secret that the Seminoles were a bad football team last season, which led to a 2-10 record. With a new coaching staff and a good finish to the 2025 recruiting cycle, there’s optimism that the Seminoles will be improved, and that’s something that Hughes will watch closely.
“Just the outcome of the season this year. Obviously last year was shocking. Basically seeing the bounce back this year — seeing how they do. Coaching wise, they’ve got new coaches, so just seeing how the program turns around.”
One thing that attracts good players is playing with other good players. Florida State has five defensive backs committed for the 2026 cycle, with Hughes being one of the three safeties.
Amid other programs trying to lure him away, Hughes has been working to get guys to Tallahassee, which he talked about when praising the talent that FSU is bringing in on the third level.
“It’s been great, I’m not going to lie. I’ve been recruiting these guys for a little minute. So for them to actually commit — well I’ve been recruiting Chuck — that’s big. It’s good getting to know my future teammates.”
Hughes recently bragged about the Seminoles’ recent recruiting surge. Hopefully, it will continue and further cement that Hughes wants to stay.
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This article originally appeared on FSU Wire: Safety commit talks loyalty to FSU, what he’s watching in 2025
Reporting by Matthew Lenix , FSU Wire / FSU Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
