FSU football: Thoughts on Malachi Wideman’s recruitment
By Kelvin Hunt
![CHESTNUT HILL, MASSACHUSETTS - NOVEMBER 09: The Florida State Seminoles Cheer Squad celebrate with "NOLES" flags after a touchdown during the fourth quarter of the game against the Boston College Eagles at Alumni Stadium on November 09, 2019 in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images) CHESTNUT HILL, MASSACHUSETTS - NOVEMBER 09: The Florida State Seminoles Cheer Squad celebrate with "NOLES" flags after a touchdown during the fourth quarter of the game against the Boston College Eagles at Alumni Stadium on November 09, 2019 in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/34c09331a3647522d92424056165e5fc134ebc51e4f82e9854dfbcf59b391010.jpg)
Perception
It’s all about perception and the Noles have been on the wrong side of this thing too many times against lesser programs of late.
It doesn’t matter what we know, it just comes down to how it looks. All you have to do is revisit the Sam Howell situation last year.
All FSU fans knew Howell was going to flip to UNC when he remained committed but indicated he would choose between FSU and UNC at a ceremony at his high school(that was in North Carolina).
The media had a field day with it as it looked like UNC came in and swooped him at the last minute. The same can be said for Nick Cross in the last recruiting cycle with Maryland.
What about Lance LeGendre choosing Maryland over FSU last recruiting cycle too? There have been too many instances of FSU losing recruiting battles to lesser programs at the last minute.
If Wideman is given the option and decides to de-commit, at least it’s not on National Signing Day and FSU can control the narrative better. I’d ask Wideman to not include FSU in any type of ceremony like putting a hat on a table as he announces or anything like that.