A Hidden Gem in Tallahassee
Most fans think Florida State’s top draft hope is wide receiver Duce Robinson. They might be wrong. A former NFL national scout says the best talent on the 2026 roster wears a different jersey. According to On3 Seminoles, former Dallas Cowboys scout Drew Fabianich sees a first-round prospect right in the defensive backfield. That player is cornerback Ja’Bril Rawls.
Fabianich spoke on Warchant TV’s “The Jeff Cameron Show.” He watched game tape and got excited. “When I played the tape, I wondered, ‘Why is this guy not discussed much,’ you know.”?'” Fabianich said. His answer was clear. “He’s a first-round corner, I said as soon as I watched the tape.”
Comparing Rawls to a Star
Fabianich knows what a top pick looks like. He served as the Cowboys’ national scout for 14 seasons. He also worked as a general manager for West Virginia and Auburn. He compared Rawls to Morris Claiborne, a star from LSU who was a top pick in 2012. The Cowboys even moved up to get Claiborne back then.
Fabianich thinks Rawls might be even better at tracking the ball. “Probably better tracking the ball down the field than Mo was,” Fabianich said of Rawls. He added that Rawls has “probably better ball skills.” The scout really likes the kid’s game overall. But he also sees room for growth. Rawls needs to get stronger.
Strength Gaps and Game Stats
The scout noted that Rawls is a thin-hipped, thin-shouldered guy. He needs to add mass. Fabianich doubts Rawls will gain much more than seven to eight pounds. This matters for shedding blocks and playing press coverage. Yet Rawls is already very good in both press and off coverage. He has great eyes and instincts in zone.
Rawls played only seven games in 2025 due to injury. Despite that, he made 40 tackles. The 6-foot-1, 178-pounder also had one interception and one fumble recovery. He recorded two pass breakups too. These numbers show he can play at a high level when healthy.
Defense or Offense?
Fans are asking which side of the ball will be stronger in 2026. Tomahawk Nation asked writers to weigh in on this big question. One writer, Jordan Silversmith, picked the defense. He thinks the unit will be the stronger side of the ball. He points to a healthy Ja’Bril Rawls on the back end as a key reason.
Silversmith admits there are still big questions about depth. But he feels better about the defense than the offense. The offense has new starters on the line and a new quarterback. The defense is banking on a young group taking a leap in their second year. If Rawls stays healthy, that leap looks very possible.
Fabianich’s full interview covers more than just Rawls. He talked about NIL deals and how college general managers work. He also discussed Duce Robinson’s goals. But the main takeaway is clear. Florida State has a hidden weapon on defense. It might just be a first-round pick waiting to happen.
