Howard football star Ta’shawn Poole commits to Florida State

After Howard football star Ta’shawn Poole announced his commitment to play with the Florida State Seminoles next year, the school’s signature Tomahawk Chop fight song blared in Howard’s gym.

It was probably the first time a Seminoles-themed tune has ever graced Howard’s campus — after all, the Huskies are rivals with Westside — but the anthem got the large crowd that had amassed there chopping in support of Poole’s long-anticipated decision.

“It feels good. I’m just ready to go up there to play ball, man,” Poole said after the announcement. “The coaches, man, I felt like a priority for them. They treated me like I was already a Seminole (when I visited).”

Poole, a four-star safety rated as the No. 6 player in the state of Georgia by 247 Sports, has wowed Bibb County with stellar plays on the gridiron in recent seasons. He will be the first Howard football player to play at a Power 4 program, Howard athletic director Latavia Coleman said. That athleticism — showcased not just in his lockdown coverage as a defensive back but also in his plays as a speedy receiver and punt return man — has gained Poole some fans around Macon.

His prospect status also built hype around which school he would attend, but Poole waited much longer than other prospects in the 2027 class to commit. That didn’t stop him from keeping the decision under wraps.

“Even my mom didn’t know. Only my coach, my sister and my trainer knew,” he said. “I think it felt good having everybody wait and surprising the whole world.”

One of the many people who didn’t know was Coleman, a Florida State legend and Macon Sports Hall of Famer who dominated as a basketball player for the ‘Noles. She grinned from ear-to-ear after Poole donned the garnet-and-gold FSU hat, chopping with fervor when the fight song began. Poole is also Coleman’s nephew.

“She’s lit right now,” Poole said, laughing. “I feel like everybody’s excited, I’m excited, too. … She supported wherever I’d go, so I don’t think she (heavily) influenced where I went, but she was a factor.”

Coleman said she tried to help Poole through the recruiting process as a former athlete herself. Instead of pushing him toward Florida State, she advised Poole to follow his gut feeling and enjoy the experience. “When you get that feeling, you’ll know,” she told him.

The athletic director certainly feels her star player made the right choice.

“There’s something about that family. I know he’s gonna be taken care of. I’m so excited to watch him play,” Coleman said.

Smiling almost as wide was head football coach Trey Porter, who took over the football program ahead of Poole’s sophomore season. Porter said he was worried about players leaving the program as a new coaching staff took over. Poole was a key athlete who stuck around.

“Watching him become a vocal leader has been the biggest thing,” Porter said. “I could tell he had some leadership traits early on, because kids wanted to follow him but he didn’t necessarily wanna tell them what to do. That’s been the biggest growth, just watching him become a man.”

As Poole prepared to reveal his college choice to the masses, the shifts in momentum were almost as thrilling as a good football game.

That’s because the timing of the event was dependent not on Poole’s pace but on the technological ins and outs of a 247 Sports livestream, which was broadcasting the defensive back’s much-anticipated decision online. 

The gym would get quiet as Poole’s decision approached, only for there to be a delay. Whispers of “Go Vols” or louder barking sounds for UGA echoed off the linoleum as family and friends waited to hear where Poole would play at the next level.

Before that, there was a heartfelt video from Poole’s mother that got laughs. It showcased clips of a much-younger Poole playing pee-wee football, hanging out with family and even reciting an essay for a class.

Aside from all the emotions — the family support, the elation from coaches Coleman and Porter, the crowd celebrating — there was also a feeling of relief with the announcement. Poole still has his senior year with the Huskies ahead of him. 

“It feels good (to be committed). I’ve been thinking, I’ve been stressing myself out, been praying and putting God first,” Poole said.

Now, he can focus on football — and keep being a leader, something Porter relishes.

“It’s just about changing the trajectory of this program,” Porter said. “This is one of those things that’s won not on the field but in life. We’ve got a great season ahead of us … and the other guys on this team can look to him for leadership.”