FSU Linebacker Commit Timir Hickman-Collins Discusses Official Visit, Future as a Seminole
As the football season begins to come to a close for the Seminoles with just one game left on the calendar, coaches are now on the recruiting trail ahead of the early signing period on December 20th. With recruits taking their final official visits ahead of the deadline as signing day approaches, FSU had a busy weekend with seven official visitors from the 2024 class and two transfers in Tallahassee.
One of those visitors was Timir Hickman-Collins, a three-star linebacker from Fort Mill, South Carolina. After committing to FSU in July, he decided to take his lone official visit ahead of signing day to solidify his decision.
"It was amazing, it was my first official visit, I loved it. I committed here and I'm going to be here in January and I just can't wait to be here," Hickman-Collins said.
As a part of official visits, recruits are paired with a player on the team to not only familiarize themselves with the program but also to build bonds within the team. Hickman-Collins noted that his player host is someone he was already very close to prior to the visit.
"It was my cousin, my cousin KJ [Sampson], so I already knew it would be him and we had fun last time I was down here, and we had fun again. He did typical stuff, just like teaching me the ropes and stuff like that," Hickman-Collins said.
A major reason FSU boasts the No. 3 ranked 2024 recruiting class is not due to the coaching staff but the work of current players and recruits talking to one another. Whether it is on visits or over the phone the incoming class has already been discussing what the future holds for them in Tallahassee.
"I feel like on my first unofficial visit I was the same way, like any game days they were around me the same way, so they're going to treat you like family regardless, whether you're committed or not," Hickman-Collins said. "That's what we try to do as commits, I see that a lot, we'll try to get kids to commit or if you're not committed we'll still treat you like brothers."
The defense has been a key factor in Florida State's success this season, and consistently the linebackers have made game-changing plays that gave FSU the momentum needed to win the game. Hickman-Collins noted that the on-field success of the linebackers made this a memorable season for him as a fan and a recruit.
"Oh I loved it, I loved the way [Kalen] DeLoach plays, I love the way [DJ] Lundy plays, I can't wait to play behind Lundy and learn from him. Everybody else in the linebacker room, I spent the day with them yesterday, they love it here, they're going to teach me to learn things and how it's going to be in the rush, just learn how you're going to learn, even coach Shannon says that," Hickman-Collins said.
Prior to the conclusion of his visit, Hickman-Collins sat down with head coach Mike Norvell for one final face-to-face meeting before he signs.
"Just having the same talks," Hickman-Collins said. "Can't wait for me to get down here in January."
The 6-foot-1, 218-pound prospect out of Indian Land High School will hope to make a quick impact in the linebacker rotation as the Seminoles continue to climb after winning their first ACC title since 2014. Hickman-Collins will sign on December 20th and enroll at FSU in January.
Hickman-Collins is regarded as the No. 863 prospect, the No. 74 LB, and the No. 13 recruit in the state of South Carolina in the 2024 class according to 247Sports.
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