Significance of 4-star LB Blake Nichelson setting commitment date

Four-star 2023 linebacker Blake Nichelson has set a date to announce his commitment on September 20th. Nichelson is a west-coast product FSU offered in May and had for an official visit on June 17th.

At the time, Oregon was the leader, and Nichelson mentioned he wanted to announce a commitment before his senior season began. I said after his official visit it would be imperative for two things to happen if FSU was to be a player in this recruitment.

They needed to get him back on campus before the season started, and they needed him to delay that timeline so they could build the relationship.

Well, they got him back on campus for a four-day unofficial visit in July, and his commitment date is in September.

Mission accomplished. UCLA was in the mix, and Wisconsin offered late this summer, but otherwise, I think it has always been an Oregon/FSU battle.

One of the most significant storylines in this recruitment is Nichelson has not visited Oregon since returning from his unofficial visit to FSU in July.

The fact he has set a commitment date and Oregon hasn’t been able to get him back on campus should favor the Noles. FSU only has one linebacker committed in the 2023 recruiting class, and Nichelson would likely complete the need at the position in this recruiting cycle.

Not to mention, Nichelson has to be impressed with what he’s seen from Kalen DeLoach and Tatum Bethune through two games. Mike Norvell called Nichelson Monday after their upset win over the LSU Tigers Sunday night, which shows how much of a priority he is for this recruiting class.

If he announces for the Noles, Nichelson would be the seventh blue chip, and the fourth commit ranked inside the composite top 150. It would also bring FSU’s recruiting class to No. 17, up from No. 23. Tune in on Tuesday, September 20th, as this could be another late night addition, similar to former west coast blue chip Jaiden Lars-Woodbey.