MIDWAY — Daylen Green was a frequent visitor to Florida State’s campus. And it’s with good reason as the Gadsden County High standout only has to drive 16 miles east on U.S. Hwy. 90.
But Green didn’t take the direct route to signing with FSU on Wednesday, the first day of the early signing period. The 6-foot-1, 210-pound linebacker had often visited with FSU’s coaches in the spring and was a standout at the Elite Camp on June 1.
The next week, he visited Arkansas and committed on June 9. FSU director of recruiting Devin Rispress continued to check in often and that relationship, as well as those with FSU’s coaches, mattered.
“During my recruiting process, they always reached out,” Green said. “Coach Rispress, he always reached out. Even though I committed to Arkansas, he still was on my trail. So I knew if something went wrong at Arkansas, which it did, I knew that I had a home back home.”
When Arkansas dismissed head coach Sam Pittman on Sept. 28, Green began to weigh his options. A Gadsden County teammate, offensive lineman Jakobe Green, was committed to FSU and had been encouraging Daylen to take another look at the Seminoles. He announced his flip from Arkansas to FSU on Nov. 3 and stayed true to his word.
“Today means a lot,” Green said. “I went through a lot. There’s been a lot of ups and downs in my recruiting process.”
Daylen Green and his mom at Gadsden County’s signing ceremony
Did Green have second thoughts as the Seminoles’ once-promising season unraveled with a 5-7 finish?
“I was set. I ain’t going to lie,” Green said “I saw how they fight, (face) adversity. They always pick each other up. They have a good brotherhood. That’s where I want to be.”
Green is viewed as the No. 66 linebacker in the nation and among the top 100 prospects in Florida in the class of 2026 by 247Sports. As a junior, Green had 111 tackles and also ran track for Gadsden County.
At a ceremony inside Gadsden County’s media center, Green’s signing was celebrated by family, friends and classmates. Green was one of the stars on the football field, but he was also the homecoming king this fall and had one of the best grade-point averages on the team.
“Very popular kid. Always cool, calm and collected,” Gadsden County principal Marlon Ball said. “Very coachable kid. Great football player.”
Green is known as a fast and physical player who could fit in as an outside linebacker or a rover. “However, I grow they will tell me which position I will play,” Green said.
A month away from enrolling at FSU, Green is looking forward to the opportunity ahead. Green saw how much FSU played true freshmen on defense like Mandrell and Darryll Desir and cornerback Shamar Arnoux in 2025. And now Green is ready to begin his journey, not far down the road from home, in Tallahassee.
“During the spring, I feel like you will have a better feeling of how college really is,” Green said. “You will have a better chance of getting on the field early.”
Thanks for reading the Osceola. Subscribe now for less than $50 annually with our Black Friday flashback special to enjoy a full year of coverage of FSU athletics. You’ll also earn discounts at the Osceola’s merch store and Alumni Hall.
