Breaking: Twin Defensive Ends Darryll and Mandrell Desir Flip Commitment from Florida State to Alabama

In a seismic shift on the 2025 recruiting landscape, twin defensive ends Darryll and Mandrell Desir have decommitted from Florida State University and officially signed with the University of Alabama. The South Florida standouts spurned offers from Penn State, Nebraska, and a host of other Power Five programs in choosing the Crimson Tide, delivering a major recruiting coup for Nick Saban’s defending SEC champions.

The Announcement

On the evening of May 10, social media channels erupted with news that Darryll and Mandrell Desir were calling off their commitment to Florida State, where they had pledged less than six months ago. A post on a prominent recruiting group’s Facebook page read:

“BREAKING NEWS: Twin defensive ends Darryll and Mandrell Desir decommit from Florida State and sign with Alabama over Penn State, Nebraska, and more.”

Shortly thereafter, multiple recruiting insiders confirmed the flip on Twitter and Instagram, solidifying what many believed was a burgeoning trend of elite prospects gravitating toward Alabama’s vaunted defensive pipeline.

From UCF to FSU to Bama: A Roller-Coaster Recruiting Journey

The Desir twins’ recruitment has been anything but linear. Hailing from Miami Norland High School, the identical twins first pledged to the University of Central Florida in July 2024, drawing praise for their explosive pass-rushing capabilities and versatility in coverage. Less than 48 hours later, they flipped to Florida State, announcing their Seminoles commitment on November 10, 2024.

By November’s end, the duo had already taken an official visit to Tallahassee, impressing scouts with their athleticism and work ethic. Florida State’s coaching staff lauded their “twin-tornado” front, envisioning both brothers as foundational pieces of a retooled Seminoles defense.

Yet, as National Signing Day approached, whispers began circulating that Alabama had made a late push. The Tide’s national reputation for developing All-Americans on the defensive line—and its recent history of producing NFL first-round picks—proved too tempting a prospect for the brothers to ignore.

Why Alabama? Key Factors in the Flip

Several factors contributed to the Desirs’ decision to switch their allegiance to Alabama:

1. Elite Development Pipeline
   Alabama’s track record under Defensive Line Coach Pete Golding includes a string of first-round draft selections—Marlon Humphrey, Jonathan Allen, and Josh Allen among them. The promise of replicating that success for two high-ceil twin prospects provided a compelling blueprint for the Desirs’ NFL aspirations.
2. Immediate Playing Opportunities
   Despite the competition in Tuscaloosa, Nick Saban’s program has historically rotated its defensive front heavily, allowing freshmen to earn playing time. Alabama’s depth chart, which lost two starters to the draft, offers the Desirs a chance to contribute early.
3. Championship Aspirations
   Fresh off another SEC title and College Football Playoff appearance, Alabama represents the pinnacle of college football success. The twins cited their desire to compete for national championships as a top priority—a sentiment echoed by many elite recruits.
4. Facilities and Resources
   Alabama’s state-of-the-art Mal M. Moore Athletic Facility, combined with its academic support structures, tipped the scales. The twins, who maintain strong GPAs, appreciated the balance between athletic excellence and educational opportunity.

Profiling the Desir Twins

• Darryll Desir (No. 589 overall recruit, No. 10 DE in Florida)
  At 6-4½, 240 pounds, Darryll boasts an explosive first step and powerful hands. His senior year tape showcases 12 sacks and 18 tackles for loss, highlighting his ability to beat tackles off the edge and anchor against the run.
• Mandrell Desir (No. 777 overall recruit, No. 17 DE in Florida)
  Standing 6-3, 235 pounds, Mandrell compensates for a slight size disadvantage with superior burst and bend. His film reveals a knack for penetrating pockets and disrupting quarterbacks on blitz schemes.

Both twins rank among the top 100 prospects in Florida’s deep 2025 class. Their identical build and synchronized playing style pose a unique strategic challenge for opposing offenses.

The Competition: Penn State and Nebraska Among the Finalists

Before ultimately choosing Alabama, the Desirs evaluated a shortlist that included:

• Penn State: Joe Moore award-winning offensive line coach Joe Lorig courted the twins, emphasizing a culture of “Linebackers First,” which historically pairs well with elite front pushes.
• Nebraska: Under Coach Matt Rhule, the Cornhuskers touted a “homecoming” pitch—offering a path to revitalize Nebraska’s storied defensive tradition.

However, neither program could match Alabama’s championship pedigree and developmental pipeline.

Impact on Alabama and the SEC

Landing the Desir twins is a massive boost for Alabama’s 2025 class, already ranked among the nation’s top three. Adding two high-impact edge rushers helps fill the void left by multiple departures to the NFL draft and solidifies the Tide’s defensive front for years to come.

For the SEC, this coup further cements the conference’s dominance in recruiting, particularly in Florida—a talent hotspot. With Georgia, Florida, and LSU all vying for top prospects, Alabama’s ability to consistently top the boards underscores its sustained allure.

What This Means for Florida State

The Seminoles, who had celebrated the Desirs as “cornerstones” of their defensive rebuild, now face a sudden vacancy at edge rusher. Florida State’s 2025 class drops in national rankings without the twins, and the staff must pivot quickly to fill the gap—whether via the transfer portal or late-cycle prospects.

Beyond the numbers, FSU lost two players who embodied “finishers” on defense—athletes who thrive in the trenches. Seminoles fans, buoyed by last season’s resurgence, will watch closely as Mike Norvell and his staff scramble to shore up the edge.

Recruiting Experts Weigh In

• Adam Gorney, Rivals: “Losing two package-deal freshmen of this caliber is a blow, but it’s emblematic of Alabama’s magnetic pull. Nick Saban sells not only championships, but a path to the NFL.”
• Patrick Burnham, The Osceola: “FSU moved mountains to land the Desirs from UCF. To see them flip again highlights the volatility of modern recruiting.”

Looking Ahead

Darryll and Mandrell Desir will enroll at Alabama this summer, participating in summer workouts before joining fall camp. Their arrival injects fresh talent into a defensive line rotation already loaded with future NFL talent. As they don the crimson and white in Bryant–Denny Stadium, expectations will be sky-high for these twin terrors to make an immediate impact.

Recruiting analysts will monitor how the twins adapt to Saban’s complex front schemes and how quickly they can carve out roles on a defense that has become synonymous with domination. Should they live up to their billing, the Desirs could propel Alabama to yet another championship, while rewriting the narrative of their own college careers.

Stay tuned for more on this developing story, including exclusive interviews and spring practice updates.