The phrase “on paper” is a euphemism frequently used when trying to forecast the outcome of sports events, golf included. For instance, the 2025 U.S. Ryder Cup team was considered by many the favorite “on paper” heading into Bethpage given its average World Ranking was higher than its European counterparts. As this example illustrates, however, no championship is ever won “on paper.” Past results do not guarantee future performance.
All this said, Trey Jones has reason to smile on Thursday with what happened “on paper” for his Florida State men’s golf team. The Seminoles head coach since 2003 just landed what is universally considered inside the college golf world the No. 1 recruiting class in the country. Some, meanwhile, are asking whether it might be one of the best of all time.
FSU’s case is compelling considering the talented foursome that committed to the Seminoles on the first day of the early signing period. Miles Russell is the No. 1 ranked junior in the country and one of just two golfers to win the AJGA’s Player of the Year award three times. He has been spoken of as the most talented college recruit in decades. He’s joined by Charlie Woods, the son of Tiger, who is ranked No. 41 among high school seniors by Golf Channel. Woods won the AJGA Team TaylorMade Invitational in 2025 and qualified for the last three U.S. Junior Amateur. Rounding out the class are Edwin Askerfors, a top-ranked player in Sweden; and Kaden Puranik, another Florida native.
Jones has had success at Florida State, coaching such notables as Brooks Koepka, Daniel Berger, Hank Lebioda, John Pak and Luke Clanton. The Seminoles have won 41 titles under his tenure, and finished runner-up to Auburn at the 2024 NCAA Championship. He also was inducted in the Golf Coaches Association of America’s Hall of Fame in 2025.
That said, the 2026-27 season has gotten off to a slow start for the Seminoles, their best finish in three team events being a fourth place. The current roster includes U.S. Amateur champion Jack Whaley and his fellow Great Britain & Ireland Walker Cup teammate Tyler Weaver.
For as excited as Florida State fans might be in the moment, expectations also need to be tempered with the knowledge that Russell is so talented that his stay in Tallahassee might be a quick one. He currently has earned eight points in the PGA Tour University Accelerated program and if he were to get to 20 during his time at Florida State, he would earn a tour card and the chance to play on the PGA Tour’s Challenger Series starting in 2028.
While having played in 14 PGA Tour and Korn Ferry Tour events via sponsor’s exemptions (along with qualifying for the 2026 U.S. Open), Russell believes college golf is an important stage in his overall development.
“I still have a lot of growing to do, and I’m still changing as a golfer, changing as a person,” Russell told Golf Channel. “Just to have a few extra years, and maybe I can have a chance that when I come out of school, I’ll be fully set and ready to go.”
This article was originally published on golfdigest.com
