Is FSU still No. 1 for elite Georgia DE Cam Brooks? ‘It feels like I’m supposed to be there’

THOMASVILLE, Ga. — The Thomas County Central Yellow Jackets hosted an 11-on-11 OTA camp Wednesday with three other high high schools — Troup County, Tift County and Creekside — and the headliner of the event was major Florida State target and 2026 four-star defensive end Cam Brooks .

Warchant.com was on hand for the event and caught up with Brooks to talk about his summer, his upcoming season and whether the Seminoles are still leading the way in his recruitment.

Brooks, who is the No. 5 defensive end in the country, according to the On3 Industry Ranking , and his Thomas County Central teammates are about to begin their defense of their 2023 state championship. And while the official preseason practices haven’t begun yet, he said these summer OTAs are a great way to start.

“I’m not where I want to be yet with my stamina since I just got out here,” said Brooks, who is getting back to full speed following a minor medical procedure. “They (OTAs) help me mentally more than anything. “

Brooks’ natural ability is on display every time he steps foot on the field. He is listed at 6-foot-2.5 and 225 pounds, and he is extremely athletic for his size.

Thomas County Central likes to tap into his versatility by using him in different ways on defense and even lining him up at tight end on offense.

“Really, believe it or not, I didn’t play defensive end until I was in the ninth grade,” Brooks said. “My natural quickness is something I’ve always had as a player. I feel my strength is pass-rushing, but with the opponents [being run-oriented], I don’t get that chance.

“Stopping the run is what really helps the team the most. That wasn’t as natural for me … so I had to work more on reading the play and being consistent. And over time, it’s something I’ve very strong at.”

When it comes to recruiting, Brooks is one of the most sought-after prospects in the 2026 class, with schools such as Ohio State, Michigan, Georgia, Auburn, Alabama and of course Florida State in hot pursuit.

Brooks, who attends the same high school as former Heisman Trophy winner Charlie Ward, has not hid the fact that he grew up cheering for the Seminoles as his top school. But he said what excites him most about FSU today is the direction of the program under head coach Mike Norvell and his staff.

“I feel like if I’m being completely honest, I think FSU should win the national championship within this year or next year,” Brooks said. “That’s how I feel. It shows the excellent job Coach Norvell has done running the program. Coach JP (defensive ends coach John Papuchis ), Coach Odell [Haggins] , they really know what they are doing. It’s just everybody.”

While he communicates with several coaches on the Florida State staff, the four-star defensive end said Papuchis is his main recruiter. And he said Papuchis is pretty relentless in that role.

“He knows what he wants and he goes after it,” Brooks said. “I’ll say for example, if I say I have three visits lined up, he will make sure I’m also going to FSU too for a visit. Other coaches talk to me, but not the way Coach JP does it.”

Brooks said he has visited Florida State, Ohio State, Auburn, Alabama and Florida this spring and summer. He added that Texas and Ohio State offered him this summer.

Is FSU still the school that stands out?

“Yes, for sure,” Brooks told Warchant. “My whole family are FSU fans, and I have grown up around Florida State. When I’m there, it just feels like I’m supposed to be there, and I just feel such a strong vibe. The product they have [developed] has helped a lot. Then that defensive line, they give their line a lot of opportunities rushing the passer, and they do it the right way.”

Brooks also shared what’s left for him to see at Florida State considering he has been on campus so much.

“I want to see a regular day in the life of a player,” he said. “Not just the recruiting stuff, but what they go through every day and be around that with the players. I want to see how much of a struggle and adjustment it would be, or how much of a benefit it would be.”

***Thomas County Central has another interesting prospect in 2026**

It’s very rare that a high school football team in south Georgia has a prospect from Russia on the roster, but the Yellow Jackets certainly do in junior offensive lineman Artem Korchagin . The 2026 prospect checks in at 6-foot-5 and 295 pounds.

Word around the Thomas County Central practice fields is that Korchagin plays with a mean streak, but he’s also still learning the game.

“I play mostly center. It’s like my second year playing football, and I didn’t know much about it when I came here, since we don’t have football in Russia,” the lineman told Warchant. “I’m still learning, but I think I’m doing very well. Biggest adjustment I would say is learning, understanding what the defense is doing. Because it takes some experience to see what’s going on.”

Not surprisingly given his size, schools are already taking notice. Despite his inexperience with football. Georgia State has already offered him a scholarship. And UCLA, Georgia, Auburn and several other schools are trying to set up visits. Of those schools, Auburn seems to be showing the most interest so far.

Korchagin has developed a good bond with Brooks, so there’s a good chance the linemen could visit Florida State together at some point in the near future.

*** Discuss this article with Florida State football fans on the Premium Recruiting Board. ***

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