FSU football got its seventh commitment in its 2021 recruiting class and reactions from all over to pour in for the South Florida addition.
FSU football added a verbal commitment from three-star defensive back Kevin Knowles earlier Monday afternoon.
The Hollywood, Florida, product chose the Noles over nearly 30 other offers and stated it was all about the relationship he developed that helped him choose FSU.
Knowles is considered the No. 511 player overall, No. 36 cornerback and No. 76 player in the state of Florida.
He chooses the Noles over the likes of Alabama, Clemson, Florida, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Miami, Maryland, North Carolina, Nebraska, NC State, Penn State, South Carolina, Syracuse, Tennessee, Wake Forest, West Virginia, and others.
He announced the commitment via his Twitter account:
Tribe Leader🍢 #Blessed #Committed pic.twitter.com/gLQow9ovtY
— Kevin Knowles II (@flexxkp5) May 18, 2020
Twitter Reaction
Covered Kevin Knowles in Week 1 last year, when McArthur faced crosstown rival and eventual 3A champion Chaminade-Madonna.
— Adam Lichtenstein (@ABLichtenstein) May 18, 2020
Knowles scored the game's first points on a blocked field goal, and I was like, "Woah, who's that?"
FSU is getting a playmaker.https://t.co/Mok7HZRywy
McArthur @Mcarthur_FB 2021 3 ⭐️ DB Kevin Knowles @flexxkp5 commits to @FSUFootball. Knowles (5’11 170) is one of the top all-around prospects in all of South Florida. This a lockdown CB that had a ‘19 that consisted of 70 TT, 15 PBU & 6 INT. He commits over UM, UF, Bama & UGA.
— Frank Tucker (@TheCribSouthFLA) May 18, 2020
The last time we saw new @FSUFootball DB commitment Kevin Knowles (@flexxkp5) in action, he shined enough to be invited to the @AllAmericaGamehttps://t.co/lez3FJ2Il9 pic.twitter.com/dgpv4lLcQ3
— SI All-American (@SIAllAmerican) May 18, 2020
#Noles commit Kevin Knowles was a first-team All-County selection as a junior. He led his team with five interceptions and also had 25 tackles and three TFL. https://t.co/leTmR0ZMXp
— Mike Farrell (@mfarrellsports) May 18, 2020
Congrats @flexxkp5, there's nothing better then being from @Mcarthur_FB and then becoming a #Nole.
— Bryant McFadden (@BMac_SportsTalk) May 18, 2020
Big ups!! Congrats, welcome to Defensive Back University pic.twitter.com/XmJSeJWaGe
— Atlanta Nole 🍢 (@nole_atl) May 18, 2020
Thoughts
I think Knowles is a good take for the Noles and their second defensive back commitment in the last week. Some fans are getting caught up in the star ranking of players, but I trust the coaching staff and their evaluations of players. Not to mention, the offer sheet speaks volumes considering he’s only rated as a three-star.
He’s not the longest or biggest defensive back at 5’10” and 168 pounds but has good feet and hips with good physicality for his size. He continues to fit the trend of FSU finding players that are dual-sport athletes as Knowles also runs track.
In looking at his film, Knowles is a player who’s solid in man coverage and has an instinctive knack for finding the football. He’s not a burner, but plays smart and has time to add the size and strength needed to play college football.
He looks just like the type of cornerback FSU defensive back’s coach Marcus Woodson likes.
This commitment moves the Noles up to No. 32 in the national ranking and seventh overall in the ACC.