FSU football: Noles beat LSU on recruiting trail for transfer Gilber Edmond

FSU football remains the hottest team recruiting in the transfer portal. The Noles have two positions of need left and fulfilled one Tuesday afternoon with the addition of South Carolina transfer defensive end Gilber Edmond.

South Carolina fans already hated FSU and they’ll really hate them now!

Edmond visited the Noles last week before skipping through Gainesville on his way to visit LSU.

In the end, most thought he trended towards LSU, but Edmond decided to commit to the Noles. It likely helped FSU become a destination for South Carolina transfer players. Jammie Robinson, Keir Thomas Jazston Turnetine, and the latest this offseason was tight end Jaheim Bell.

Robinson was a two-time All-ACC First Team selection, and Turnetine went from a guy that rarely played to an important piece on the FSU offensive line in 2022 in his lone season with the Noles. Keir Thomas was an All-ACC player also.

Mike Norvell had a relationship with Edmond while he was in high school.

FSU’s track record with defensive ends likely doesn’t hurt. Jermaine Johnson became All-ACC Defensive Player of the Year, and Jared Verse was All-ACC First Team.

Edmond provided immediate depth and a talent upgrade at the position. What’s more valuable is his two years of eligibility remaining. Its likely Verse will leave for the NFL after the 2023 season, which gives FSU a ready-made guy that’s ready to step into a starter position.

It also means FSU should be more productive at the defensive end position this year since they will have more quality bodies to play more snaps. Edmond played nearly 600 snaps at South Carolina in 2022 and finished with 39 tackles, nine tackles for a loss, and two sacks.

I bet his production took a hit because he played many snaps fatigued, but that won’t be the case at FSU. Edmond checks in at 6’5″ and 250 pounds. The days of the FSU defensive line getting pushed around by average teams are over.

This is a massive win for Mike Norvell, who will face off against LSU in game one of the 2023 season. This addition could pay dividends nearly immediately next season. Remember how I said Mike Norvell beat many so-called ace recruiters lately?

We can add LSU’s Brian Kelly to that list.