TALLAHASSEE — Florida State signed 15 high school commitments and added transfer quarterback McKenzie Milton through the first day of the Early Signing Period. The Early Signing Period for high school prospects lasts until the end of Friday, while junior college prospects and transfers can make a decision well into the New Year and enroll in January, if that is their desire.
With the calendar a bit open for more decisions and some targets still available as well as a transfer portal that is getting more crowded by the day, FSU could look to build upon the players that they’ve announced so far.
“Excited about the 16 guys that we were able to sign and announce today. You could have a couple more here in the next few days upcoming, but also as we continue to evaluate and work through this class definitely filling needs that we have,” head coach Mike Norvell said on Wednesday afternoon.
Recruiting coordinator David Johnson explained what the class could end up being as far as numbers go.
“Basically we can sign up to 25 for this class,” Johnson said. “We want to make sure we are doing it right. We want to make sure we have the right numbers. We have 16 right now and we are expecting a few more guys to sign within this weekend. But 25 is our number, try not to go over that.”
So with roughly 10 spots remaining, how will FSU navigate the coming days, weeks and months.
“Continue to get quality players who can fit,” Johnson shared. “You never turn down offensive linemen. Always looking for good, quality offensive linemen. Same thing for defensive linemen. And if you find a home run hitter from the receiver spot or running back spot, you can’t pass up on great players.”
Recruiting isn’t the simple concept it was just a few years ago when the focus was largely on high school prospects, with a junior college target or two sprinkled in. Now with revised NCAA rules, and essentially free agency, the transfer portal plays a major role. For a team such as FSU, whose roster is being overhauled and is in a full transition, the portal can spell some instant relief and improvement at some positions. Balancing how to distribute numbers is a never-ending conversation in recruiting meetings.
“That has been one of the interesting dynamics of this recruiting cycle is it is the first year of the transfer portal and the possibility of immediate eligibility. Making sure that we are exploring all options when it comes to that. We have certain needs,” Norvell said.
“As we go through this process it is still going to be about accessing the right fit,” he continued. “Offensive skill positions are something that we are still going to evaluate. Excited about some potential options there at the offensive line. And a couple defensive positions as well. We are handling this new age of recruiting I think really well, giving ourselves a lot of flexibility with that.
“We really try to plan out all those things and leave ourselves great options here as we move forward,” he shared later on when speaking about the addition of Milton and the impact on the quarterback room.
Norvell got into some specifics pertaining to their remaining needs. He was asked about adding a true defensive tackle, as FSU announced several defensive linemen on Wednesday but none that were portrayed as having a primary role upon arrival on the interior. Guys like Orlando (Fla.) Boone four-star defensive lineman Shambre Jackson and Havana (Fla.) Gadsden County three-star defensive lineman Joshua Farmer have the frames to likely grow into interior roles, if necessary.
“As we go through our process, you look at guys, their frames, the growth potential. We want to be fast. We want to be explosive. Obviously the size and strength of what these guys possess gives them a lot of versatility as they’re moving forward. We are continuing to work through the process. Could absolutely take a guy to sign that is just an interior player, but on the flip side, we also have some guys here on the roster that we think that could as they continue to grow have that capability,” Norvell said of defensive tackle. “I think we are in a really good place. You look at the group of defensive tackles that we have on the roster, a lot of sophomores and younger. I think we are in a good spot right now. We are going to continue to evaluate that here moving forward.”
A top defensive tackle target for the Seminoles has been Oradell (N.J.) Bergen Catholic four-star Tywone Malone, who doesn’t intend to decide until February’s National Signing Day. FSU is competing with Ole Miss and others for the 6-foot-3.5, 300-pound defensive lineman. He is expected to try and take a visit to FSU before making his final decision.
Norvell also spoke on the wide receiver position, where FSU only added Blythewood (S.C.) three-star Joshua Burrell on Wednesday. The Seminoles have become dangerously thin late this season at that position as players have transferred, departed the program, or been unavailable for other reasons.
“We will probably look to sign I would say three more receivers potentially,” Norvell shared. “There are still a couple more days in the high school signing and even leading up to January when we start school of potential opportunities of those things.
“Then we have a couple of things that we are excited about for the February signing period as well that we are looking forward to,” Norvell continued.
Johnson, who also coaches the running backs and has past experience working with wide receivers, echoed the need for finding the right guys at offensive skills positions.
“We just have to wait and see,” Johnson said. “Our biggest thing is making sure we find a playmaker. We need to find one or two more playmakers. We are crossing our fingers, toes and everything else to make sure this happens for us.”
FSU is in the mix with several wide receivers, including a pair who is expected to decide in the very near future. Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy four-star wide receiver Malik McClain, a former FSU commitment, is set to unveil his decision on Friday. It is believed to be between Ole Miss and FSU. Itawamba C.C. three-star wide receiver Qua Davis is expected to announce on Saturday. FSU was in a good position with Davis, but an offer on Wednesday from Ole Miss has led to the Rebels being viewed as the team surging at this time.
New Orleans (La.) Edna Karr four-star Destyn Hill is expected to wait until February to decide. Another player such as Lehigh Acres (Fla.) Lehigh three-star athlete Tar’varish Dawson, an Auburn pledge who is waiting until February to sign, could also be of assistance at wide receiver. FSU offered a short while back and has remained interested as he has taken a patient approach to signing with the coaching changes at Auburn.
Also, another offensive playmaker FSU is in the mix with who plans to wait until February is Ruston (La.) four-star running back Ke’Travion Hargrove.
Obviously, additional targets can emerge, include new names entering the transfer portal.
