On December 16, Hayes Fawcett of On3 reported that Florida State defensive back Ja’Bril Rawls will enter the transfer portal when it opens in January. Today, however, Fawcett shared even better news for Seminole fans:
In a defense that lacks consistency and playmaking, Rawls has displayed both qualities to become one of Florida’s best defensive players heading into the 2025 season. When healthy, the defensive back started opposite Jerry Wilson and provided tremendous physical play on an otherwise weak team. However, he was hampered by injuries and missed five games last year, including the final two games of the season. Even with the missed time, Rawls ranked only 10th among Florida State’s defense.
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Rawls spent three seasons in Tallahassee and became a recruiting success story for Mike Norvell and his staff. 247Sports ranks Rawls as a three-star recruit and the No. 92 best player in the state of Florida. After redshirting his freshman year, the Pensacola native played 11 games in 2024 before locking up one of two open cornerback spots in 2025.
Rawls will be the expected leader of the 2026 cornerback group.
Rawls’ FSU profile:
2025:
Recorded 6 tackles and 1 pass breakup in win over No. 8 Alabama…Added 2 solo tackles against Kent State…Recorded 11 tackles, including 1.0 tackles for loss and 1 interception, against Virginia…Added 6 tackles against Miami…Recorded 10 solo tackles, including 1.0 tackles for loss against Pitt…Added 2 in win over Wake Forest tackles…Recorded 3 tackles and 1 interception on a pass breakup vs. Clemson…
2024:
Played in Florida State’s final 11 games, recording 14 tackles…a team-high and career-best seven tackles in a win over Charleston Southern, including six solo interceptions…three tackles at SMU…two tackles against North Carolina and Notre Dame.
2023:
Appeared in three games…recorded four tackles and a pass breakup…had a solo tackle and a pass breakup in a 66-13 win over Southern Mississippi…had two tackles in a 58-13 win over North Alabama…had a solo interception in the Orange Bowl against No. 6 Georgia…redshirted 2023 season.
Before Florida State University:
Made an impact on offense, defense and special teams in three seasons at Pensacola Catholic…Rated as the No. 45 safety nationally and the No. 75 overall prospect in the state of Florida by On3…Rated as the No. 48 cornerback prospect nationally and the No. 89 overall prospect in the state of Florida by 247Sports…Recorded 1,555 yards, 98 tackles, 3.0 points allowed, six interceptions, seven pass breakups, 1 forced a fumble, 3 punt returns for touchdowns and 2 kickoff returns for touchdowns… Helped the Crusaders to 10 wins and the regional semifinals of the 2S state playoffs his senior year… Played in all 12 games and recorded 43 tackles Interceptions, 4 interceptions and 1 forced fumble, as well as 25 receptions, 456 yards and 7 touchdowns, and also scored 2 kickoff return touchdowns and 1 punt return touchdown… Played 8 games in his junior season and recorded 36 tackles, 1.0 tackles for loss, two interceptions, two pass breakups, 12 receptions, 146 receiving yards and two touchdowns while averaging 25.2 yards per punt return and two touchdowns…Completed 16 tackles, caught seven passes for 88 yards and averaged 42.0 yards on three kickoff returns to help Catholic advance to the 3A regional semifinals in his sophomore season.
