Florida State lands four-star athlete Za'Kari Johnson in 2027 class

Florida State added a significant piece to its 2027 recruiting class on Tuesday, securing a commitment from four-star athlete Za'Kari Johnson out of Miami Carol City. The in-state prospect picked the Seminoles over a finalist group that included Miami, Auburn, Texas A&M, and Notre Dame, among other programs.

Johnson stands 6-foot-1 and 196 pounds and is regarded as one of the better athletes available in the 2027 cycle. According to the 247Sports Composite, he ranks No. 21 among athletes in the class and No. 349 overall. The Rivals Industry Ranking, a weighted average drawing on all major recruiting services, places him at No. 296 overall and No. 9 at the athlete position nationally.

15th Commitment for the Seminoles

Johnson becomes the 15th commitment in Florida State's 2027 class, giving the Seminoles a blue-chip prospect who also drew interest from Georgia and Indiana, among others. His pledge continues a concerted effort by FSU's staff to retain elite talent within the state of Florida.

Johnson was also identified in at least one service as a reclassified defensive back, underscoring the versatility that made him an attractive target for multiple Power Four programs. His combination of size, athleticism, and in-state availability placed him among the more coveted uncommitted prospects heading into the summer evaluation period.

Florida State's 2027 class now carries notable momentum heading into the fall, with Johnson's commitment representing one of the higher-profile additions to the group. The Seminoles' ability to hold off several programs with strong national recruiting footprints for a prospect in their own backyard reinforces the staff's standing on the Florida recruiting trail.