FSU Football: Why Nick Cross delaying decision is good for Noles

FSU football is still waiting to find out if they will be adding another member to #Tribe19, but waiting might not be the worst thing for the Seminoles.

As the FSU football coaching staff went to sleep Wednesday night, they did so with the knowledge that 21 high school or junior college stars had signed letters of intent with the Seminoles over the past two months and were either enrolled with the Seminoles or would be by the summer – with nearly a quarter of that group being secondary players.

However, it was also with the knowledge that they were still waiting for that 22nd player to announce if he was going to fulfill his verbal commitment to the Noles.

Nick Cross, regarded as the top player in the state of Maryland and one of the top players in the entire country, was supposed to announce his college intention at an event at his Washington D.C. area high school – but a funny thing happened on the way to make things official.

Now, it has been well documented that the longtime FSU football commit does indeed want to come play for the Seminoles and that others in his camp – namely his parents – would rather have him head to play for the Nittany Lions. Of course, now that his former coach is working with the Terrapins, they also are in the conversation.

The fact of the matter is that on the surface, I can see how it looks bad for the Noles – here is a long time commit seemingly having second thoughts about joining the program. Heck after losing Sam Howell in December and the chance of Lance LeGendre on Wednesday, it makes sense why some people are thinking the worst.

But below the surface, this might be the best thing for the Seminoles. If Cross signs on Wednesday, the chances are that it’s likely going to be to one of the other two programs – by waiting, it gives him a chance to get everyone onboard the FSU football train.

Don’t get me wrong, losing out on Cross to either Penn State or Maryland would sting big time (especially to the Terps after LeGendre shocked everyone by going there). While nothing is set in stone yet, the law of averages would have to say the Seminoles are still in the lead.

In the end, the Seminoles won’t live or die with one high school player’s decision – but this could be one of those moments that defines the early part of the Willie Taggart era.