Seismic Shift in College Football Recruiting: Identical Twin Defensive Ends Darryll and Mandrell Desir Abandon Florida State, Electing Alabama in Stunning Five-Star Recruitment Coup, Leaving Penn State, Nebraska, and a Host of Other Powerhouses in Their Wake; Expert Analysts Weigh in on the Implications for the 2027 Season and Beyond…

Seismic Shift in College Football Recruiting: Identical Twin Defensive Ends Darryll and Mandrell Desir Abandon Florida State, Electing Alabama in Stunning Five-Star Recruitment Coup, Leaving Penn State, Nebraska, and a Host of Other Powerhouses in Their Wake; Expert Analysts Weigh in on the Implications for the 2027 Season and Beyond…

Seismic Shift in College Football Recruiting: Identical Twin Defensive Ends Darryll and Mandrell Desir Abandon Florida State, Electing Alabama in Stunning Five-Star Recruitment Coup

In a stunning turn of events that’s sending shockwaves through the college football landscape, identical twin defensive ends Darryll and Mandrell Desir have flipped their commitments from Florida State to the University of Alabama, announcing their decision late Friday night via a joint video on social media. The Miami-born five-star prospects had long been considered cornerstones of Florida State’s highly touted 2027 recruiting class. Their decommitment represents one of the most high-profile flips in recent recruiting history and delivers a massive boost to Alabama’s already formidable defensive pipeline.

The Desir twins, ranked No. 2 and No. 3 nationally among edge rushers in the 2027 class by 247Sports and On3 respectively, are known for their explosive first steps, elite athleticism, and freakish coordination—a rare combination that has drawn comparisons to the Bosa brothers and the late 2000s duo of the Pouncey twins. At 6-foot-5 and 250 pounds apiece, the Desirs have dominated South Florida high school football and were seen as instant-impact players wherever they landed.

“Alabama has always been a dream, and we’ve decided to make it real,” Mandrell said in the video. “Coach DeBoer and the staff showed us not just a vision for how we’d be used, but a legacy we could be a part of.”

Florida State, who had recruited the Desirs for nearly two years, was blindsided. Head coach Mike Norvell had made multiple in-home visits and featured the twins prominently in his defensive game planning for the 2027 season and beyond. Their sudden departure could potentially shake the Seminoles’ top-five recruiting ranking and leaves a glaring hole at defensive end.

Meanwhile, other programs such as Penn State, Nebraska, Georgia, and LSU—who all courted the twins heavily—were left stunned. Nebraska was even rumored to be in the final three just weeks ago, after a successful campus visit and a pitch centered around early playing time and building a dynasty in Lincoln.

Recruiting analysts say this flip could have national title implications. “This is the kind of move that can define a class and shift power dynamics in the SEC,” said Rivals recruiting analyst Jordan Huffman. “Alabama just secured not one, but two potential All-Americans who can terrorize quarterbacks for three years minimum.”

With Alabama already boasting elite defensive talent and depth, the addition of the Desirs could give them one of the most dominant defensive line rotations in the country. It also underscores Coach Kalen DeBoer’s emerging prowess on the recruiting trail—dispelling any doubts about his ability to uphold the standard set by Nick Saban.

Looking ahead to the 2027 season, the Desir twins could see immediate playing time, possibly even starting roles as true freshmen. Their physical tools and mental discipline set them apart in a class loaded with defensive talent. If their development goes as expected, Alabama may have landed the next great pass-rushing tandem to define a championship era.

For now, college football fans and coaches alike are left reeling from a recruitment twist that could echo for years to come.