Recruiting Round-Up: Florida State commits, targets take over Under Armour Atlanta
Florida State is in pursuit of some of the top prospects in the country to fill out its 2024 recruiting class, which is currently regarded as the No. 4 haul in the cycle. Over the weekend, a plethora of those commitments and targets from the states of Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, North Carolina, New Jersey, and Colorado gathered to compete at the annual Under Armour Atlanta Camp.
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The event was held at Carrollton High School and NoleGameday was on-site to speak with prospects and garner other recruiting tidbits.
Check out a full round-up coming out of the weekend as Florida State plans to host a ton of talent on campus this spring.
2024
— Kam Davis, Five-Star Running Back (FSU commit)
Saturday marked the two-year anniversary of five-star running back Kam Davis's commitment to Florida State back in 2021. The following day, he returned to north Georgia for the second consecutive offseason to compete at UA Next Atlanta. Prior to the event, Davis spoke with reporters about the strength of his pledge to the Seminoles as well as other visits he's eyeing this offseason.
At this point, he's still firmly committed to Florida State but other programs such as Tennessee, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Ole Miss, Miami, and Colorado are still heavily pursuing him. Davis is looking to get back to Tallahassee tentatively on March 10-11 for Junior Day and also will check out the Volunteers on March 25. He's planning trips to LSU, Colorado, and other schools.
Davis noted that Florida State and Colorado will receive Official Visits. Those trips will probably occur during the fall and he's looking at using all five visits.
Two final things that I picked up from the conversation with Davis. His mother has a good relationship with Georgia head coach Kirby Smart, which is interesting. Plus, Alabama is seemingly out of the running for his services at this time - contact has been inconsistent and it might be too late for the Crimson Tide.
Quote: "NIL isn't a big thing and especially not from a school because I don't want a school to buy me and my efforts."
— Qua Birdsong, Four-Star Linebacker
The board at linebacker is still pretty thin for the Seminoles with March on the horizon but expect it to build further this spring. One prospect that the coaching staff is keeping an eye on is four-star linebacker Qua Birdsong, who hasn't officially been offered by FSU. I expect that to change in the near future as Birdsong says he'll be on campus on March 11 after not making a previous visit that was supposed to happen in January.
Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Arkansas, USC, and Florida State are making him a priority at this stage. Birdsong will also visit Florida, UCF, Arkansas, and Ohio State during the program.
Linebackers coach Randy Shannon is leading the charge for the 6-foot-3, 195-pound prospect. The two speak nearly every day and the level of contact has stayed consistent. Birdsong has earned 20+ offers and wants to narrow down to a top-5 by June with a goal to commit before his senior season. He plans to enroll early at his destination.
Birdsong has Official Visits to Cincinnati and USC scheduled in June. FSU is a potential destination if he picks up an offer in March.
Quote: "Just ready to see how the place is, ready to see all of the people. See what the program is really talking about."
— Kylan Fox, Four-Star Tight End
Florida State's board at tight end is filled with some of the top prospects in the country, including four-star recruit Kylan Fox. The coaching staff hosted him for an unofficial visit last month and it won't be long until he returns to Tallahassee. Fox says that the Seminoles want him back for the Garnet & Gold Showcase on April 15 and that he'll "probably lock that in."
Fox was impressed by the progress that the team displayed last year. He also has relationships with tight ends coach Chris Thomsen and offensive coordinator Alex Atkins.
Outside of FSU, he mentioned Miami, UCF, Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, Ohio State, Cincinnati and Stanford as schools that he wants to visit. He plans to take three official visits in the summer and two in the fall. Fox isn't sure of a timeline for a decision just yet.
Quote: "Coach Norvell, you already see they finished as a top-10 team so that just goes to show that what he's doing is working. My relationship with coach Thomsen is good. I just like to keep going on campus and stuff."
— Travaris Banks, Four-Star Defensive Back
Since four-star defensive back Travaris Banks's visit to Florida State in March, defensive backs coach Patrick Surtain Sr. has officially joined the coaching staff. Banks is communicating a lot with Surtain Sr. and notes that the Seminoles are one of his favorite schools at the moment.
Banks will be back in Tallahassee on March 10 for an unofficial visit. Something unique about the weekend, FSU is planning to bring in multiple former players, including Jalen Ramsey and Derwin James. He'll also check out Oklahoma and Tennessee with the goal to take official visits toward the summer.
Outside of FSU, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Florida, and Oregon are making him a priority. He's targeting June 18 for a commitment.
Quote: "One of my favorite schools at the moment. I really like FSU. I just like going up there."
— Waltclaire Flynn, Four-Star Offensive Lineman
Florida State is still filling out its offensive line board but one priority is four-star prospect Waltclaire Flynn. He communicates often with offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Alex Atkins and said that the Seminoles, who like him at center, will get an Official Visit from him. He wants to see a game in Tallahassee.
Outside of FSU, Penn State, LSU, UCF, and other schools are showing interest. He's not sure about his other official visit destinations during the summer but is planning to announce a commitment on August 3.
Atkins has a unique approach. Wants to see a game at FSU. Use officials during the summer, commit on his birthday- August 3. Says FSU will get an OV, not sure about others.
Quote: "He's like family to me, for real. We've been talking for a very long time so it's just easy to talk to him. Me and him, we really complement each other, we're just like being real about everything."
— Joseph Stone, Four-Star Wide Receiver (LSU commit)
The Seminoles have a lot of prospects on the board at wide receiver, including four-star recruit Joseph Stone, who is currently committed to LSU. Regardless, head coach Mike Norvell and Florida State are staying in pursuit, along with Penn State, Texas, Texas A&M, Miami, Louisville, Georgia, and Clemson.
Stone plans to check out Texas, Texas A&M, Ohio State, LSU, and Oklahoma during the spring. He mentioned the possibility of a summer visit to Florida State. The speed of Norvell's offense has impressed him.
Quote: "He's [Norvell] pushing real hard. He makes it clear that they're recruiting me hard and it's not over. I appreciate that, just the love that they show when I go down there to Florida State. It's always spring."
— Caleb Holmes, Four-Star Offensive Lineman
Florida State offered four-star Caleb Holmes a day after an unofficial visit in January. He's excited about it after a great experience during the visit. Holmes has a longstanding relationship with offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Alex Atkins, who has been communicating with him since before his sophomore season. The Seminoles view him as a center or guard at the next level.
Holmes plans to visit LSU, Auburn, Tennessee, Georgia Tech, and other programs that have recently offered him during the spring. He's "definitely" coming back to Florida State but doesn't have a firm date locked in. Holmes is planning out official visits, which he'll announce in a couple of weeks.
Georgia Tech, LSU, Oklahoma, and Auburn are making him a priority at this stage.
Quote: "Before some of the major offers came in, he had already been talking to me. He was just one of the early comers that I really enjoyed, built a connection."
— John Wayne Oliver, Three-Star Offensive Tackle
The Seminoles offered three-star offensive tackle John Wayne Oliver in January following a conversation with graduate assistant Cooper Williams. Wayne Oliver has been communicating with Williams and offensive line coach/offensive coordinator Alex Atkins since October/November. He will be in Tallahassee on March 25 to watch a spring practice, marking his first trip to campus.
The 6-foot-5, 280-pound prospect says that TCU, Vanderbilt, Missouri, Kentucky, and Michigan are making him a priority outside of Florida State. He'll also visit TCU (March 9), Vanderbilt (March 30), Kentucky (April 8), and Michigan this spring.
Wayne Oliver wants to take his Official Visits over the summer and commit in Late July or August. He'll know if FSU has a shot to get one following his trip next month.
Quote: "They're some cool guys [Williams and Atkins]. I know they had the best run game in the ACC or something last year and I know they're going to be very good with Jordan Travis, to win the Heisman."
— Jordan Floyd, Offensive Lineman
Another name to know on the offensive line board is rising senior Jordan Floyd, who was offered last fall. He's speaking to Florida State and South Carolina the most after visiting both schools in January.
Floyd will visit FSU, Auburn, and South Carolina in the spring. He is going to commit during or after his senior year, not in a huge rush. Floyd is still figuring out official visits, he might wait until the season begins.
Quote: "Coach Atkins, he was real cool. The whole coaching staff was cool, down to earth. Everybody was vibing."
— Tristan Jernigan, Linebacker
A new name on the linebacker board is a prospect out of Mississippi in Tristan Jernigan. Florida State joined his recruitment in early February after a conversation with senior offensive analyst Gabe Fertitta, who recruits the state. The Seminoles are trying to get on campus in the near future, with a possible date of March 10.
Jernigan is well put-together at 6-foot-2, 220-pounds. He says that he's been thinking about Florida State lately. Jernigan will also check out Alabama, Auburn, and Georgia this offseason.
Quote: "It's been going good. They're a nice school and they give me a lot of love. I've really been thinking about that lately."
Other Notes:
- Five-Star defensive tackle Kamarion Franklin, Five-Star tight end Landen Thomas, and Four-Star defensive back CJ Heard were expected to compete at the event but instead did not show. Heard is dealing with a hamstring ailment. All three prospects are expected to be back on campus in the spring, including Franklin on March 11.
- The Seminoles joined four-star defensive end Justin Greene's recruitment earlier this month. He hasn't had a ton of communication with the coaching staff but might try to come out for a spring practice.
- Four-star defensive lineman Jeremiah Beaman has been communicating with senior offensive analyst Austin Tucker since picking up an offer last summer. He was previously on campus in the fall and wants to come back in the spring. Beaman's only planned visit at this point is to in-state Alabama. He's not rushing to make a decision.
- Florida State's wide receiver board is stacked with talent. An unlikely prospect to know is four-star recruit Cameron Coleman out of Alabama. He communicates with position coach Ron Dugans and wants to visit the Seminoles in the spring. He doesn't have a date set at this time. The Crimson Tide, Auburn, and Clemson, are among other programs in pursuit.
- There might not be a faster-rising prospect than four-star defensive end Jamonta Waller. Florida State hasn't offered him just yet but he'll be making it to campus for a visit on March 11. The Seminoles haven't had a ton of communication with Waller but that might change after he meets the staff in person.
- Three-star offensive lineman Barry Walker has held an offer from Florida State since last offseason. The Seminoles, LSU, and Oklahoma are three teams that are making him a priority. He has a good bond with Alex Atkins and will probably visit in the summer. Walker will check out UAB, LSU, and Colorado this spring and isn't in a rush to commit.
- Rising senior and 2024 running back Kahnen Daniels is planning a visit to Florida State on March 11. Daniels has offers from Alabama, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Texas A&M, and others.
2025
— Jared Smith, Five-Star Defensive End
Florida State hosted five-star defensive end Jared Smith in January for an unofficial visit. It was his first trip to Tallahassee during his recruitment and the experience has Smith already thinking about a return. He wants to see the campus again this spring but his main priority is to try and see a game.
Smith will visit Auburn, Alabama, and Georgia this spring as well. It'll be tough to pull him out of the state of Alabama but the Seminoles are establishing an early relationship.
Quote: "Florida State, I have to visit [for] a game. The atmosphere, I can tell the atmosphere is crazy. The fans are crazy so I have to visit a game."
— Mason Short, Five-Star Offensive Tackle
The Seminoles will get another Five-Star prospect on campus in March, offensive tackle Mason Short. Florida State will host Short during a Junior Day on March 11. That'll give him a chance to begin furthering a relationship with coach Atkins that is still in its early stages.
Short says that he'll also check out Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Clemson, and Tennessee during the spring.
Quote: "It will be my first time visiting but coach Atkins is a great coach. He's developed a lot of great linemen. Especially, since Florida is right by the beach. Going on a little visit over there is nice."
— Justus Terry, Four-Star Defensive Tackle (Georgia commit)
Another talented defensive lineman that the Seminoles are on is four-star defensive tackle Justus Terry out of the Peach State. Terry is committed to Georgia but he was at Florida State in January for a Junior Day.
Terry's main contacts are with head coach Mike Norvell and defensive line coach Odell Haggins. He's planning to set up another trip to Florida State in the spring but isn't sure about other destinations.
The Seminoles are continuing to push despite his pledge to the Bulldogs.
Quote: "I like it. It's like, coach Norvell, he's energetic. He wakes up ready to go. I love it."
— KJ Lacey, Quarterback
Florida State already has a top quarterback - Luke Kromenhoek - committed in its 2024 class which gives the coaching staff the luxury to start evaluating future prospects. The Seminoles offered rising junior KJ Lacey in December. Since then, his recruitment has started to blow up, with in-state Alabama joining his offer sheet while he was in Tallahassee for a visit last month.
Quarterbacks coach Tony Tokarz is the main contact for Lacey. He's looking forward to getting back to Florida State and is hopeful the visit will happen while he's on spring break in April. Lacey will also take trips to Alabama, Tennessee, and LSU.
Quote: "I like the relationships we have up there. All the coaches, they were really welcoming. They're pushing for me to come back."
Other Notes:
- Five-Star Offensive Tackle David Sanders is the No. 1 prospect in the 2025 class and someone that a lot of programs are coveting. He has a stacked list of visits this spring. Florida State is communicating with him every now and then, with Alex Atkins leading the charge. It's possible, but not likely, that he checks out FSU prior to the fall.
- The Seminoles will get Four-Star Linebacker/Safety Jarcoby Hopson back on campus on March 11 for a Junior Day. He'll be with his teammate, five-star defensive tackle Kamarion Franklin. Communication with FSU has dropped off lately with his main recruiter - Marcus Woodson - moving on to Arkansas. That should change after his visit to Tallahassee.
- An emerging defensive lineman in the 2025 class is London Merritt, who has compiled over 30 offers. He's a teammate of FSU commit CJ Heard and wants to visit this offseason but doesn't have a date set at this time. Merritt mentioned Jameis Winston when talking about the Seminoles. Alabama, Ohio State, Tennessee, UNC, FSU, and Michigan are interested.
2026
— Julian Lewis, Quarterback
One of the youngest prospects to compete on Sunday was 2026 quarterback Julian Lewis. He showed off his skillset and ended up earning one of the quarterback MVPs at the conclusion of the camp.
Florida State will get the first visit out of the dead period for the prolific signal-caller on March 5-6. His main relationships are with coach Atkins and coach Tokarz. Lewis noted that he was impressed by the program's progress and Jordan Travis last season. He'll also visit Georgia, Alabama, Texas, USC, and Ohio State.
Quote: "It's pretty nice out there. I like the coaches. I've got a good relationship with coach Tokarz and them."
READ MORE: Florida State's full 2023 football schedule released
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