Five-Star CB Charles Lester III Turns Focus To Recruiting KJ Bolden After Committing To FSU
An electric announcement on Friday night ended in a raucous celebration for Seminole fans when five-star cornerback Charles Lester III revealed that he was joining the Tribe.
READ MORE: Florida State Beats Out Colorado, Deion Sanders For Five-Star CB Charles Lester III
Following a busy recruitment that included nine visits to Florida State and numerous trips to other programs including Alabama, Georgia, and Colorado, Lester ended up going with the school that he dreamed about playing for growing up.
"It feels great to be a Seminole. I'm ready to hop into the recruiting class and I'm ready to grab these guys," Lester said to NoleGameday after his announcement in Sarasota. "We got one on August 5 [KJ Bolden] that we're trying to get. I'm working, man. Tribe24, we're going to be special."
This has been in the making for quite some time. Following his public commitment to Florida State, Lester revealed that he had told the coaching staff about his decision over a month ago. Despite taking a late visit to Colorado, he was never truly considering other programs.
"I was a silent commit ever since my official visit," Lester said. "I mean, we were just enjoying the moment. It's a blessing just to even be here."
The Florida native was already feeling good about the Seminoles coming into the year. His confidence only increased when the program acquired defensive backs coach Patrick Surtain Sr. in January.
"Everything. Surtain just ensured my want to be there," Lester said. "Picking him up only locked me in even more. Before he even came in I was locked into the university for a while."
Four-star quarterback commitment Luke Kromenhoek was in attendance for Lester's announcement. Having the leader of the class there to support him meant a lot to the five-star athlete as the two have developed a bond throughout his recruitment.
"That shows me the love that the 'Nole blood carries. Everything is genuine," Lester said. "For him to show up, he's way from Georgia, for him to show up here, I know special things are coming."
Lester is quickly turning his focus to the recruiting trail following his commitment to the Seminoles. He's working on getting five-star safety KJ Bolden to join him in the class, believing the two can make an impact similar to Jalen Ramsey and Derwin James.
Bolden is scheduled to announce on Saturday, August 5.
"I'm recruiting one more bad which is KJ," Lester said. "We get him, we'll be in good shape."
"I'm on him bad. I've been on him. I'm on him bad," Lester continued.
Interestingly enough, Lester revealed that he's planning to play on both sides of the ball in Tallahassee. What exactly are the Seminoles getting in the elite athlete?
"I'm going to shred the field on both sides of the ball and be dominant everywhere," Lester said. "We're going to win a Natty, that's coming, we're going to win a Natty. We're going to get that this year too."
Florida State holds 19 verbal commitments in its 2024 class which ranks No. 7 in the country.
Lester starred for Riverview High School on both sides of the ball as a junior. He caught 34 passes for 354 yards and four touchdowns on offense while totaling 18 tackles and five interceptions on defense. Lester will play his senior season at Venice High School after transferring earlier this year.
The 6-foot-1, 171-pound cornerback is regarded as the No. 19 overall prospect, the No. 2 CB, and the No. 4 recruit in the state of Florida in the 2024 class according to 247Sports.
READ MORE: Seminoles Stay Hot After Flipping International Four-Star Offensive Lineman From USC
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