FSU football: Defensive recruiting 2024 target board

DEFENSIVE BACK

There is a new sheriff in town as Florida State hired Patrick Surtain Sr. this offseason to be their new defensive backs coach. One of the positives in hiring Surtain Sr. was his ability to develop at the position and his potential recruiting prowess (specifically in the South Florida area).

However, Seminoles fans have not seen the benefits on the recruiting trail yet for Coach Surtain, as FSU only has three-star safety CJ Heard from Woodward Academy in Atlanta, Georgia committed to the program. Heard was recruited by former defensive backs coach Marcus Woodson. The Seminoles have also seen four-star Jordan Pride de-commit from the program (later committed to Texas A&M).

The recruiting board for the defensive backfield is loaded and filled with prospects such as:

• Five-star CB Ellis Robinson IV (Georgia commit)
• Five-star CB Charles Lester III
• Five-star S KJ Bolden
• Four-star S Zaquan Patterson
• Four-star S Ricardo Jones
• Four-star S Brandon Jacob
• Four-star S Travaris Banks
• Four-star S Fred Gaskin III
• Four-star S Jarvis Boatwright
• Four-star CB PJ Woodland
• Four-star CB Jamari Howard (Michigan State)
• Four-star CB Wardell Mack
• Four-star CB Ricky Knight III
• Four-star CB Jalewis Solomon
• Four-star CB Cai Bates
• Four-star CB Marcellus Barnes Jr. (recently offered)
• Four-star CB Jameer Grimsley
• Three-star S Ryan Mack
• Three-star S Ashton Hampton
• Three-star CB Chalil Cummings
• Three-star CB Amare Sanders (recently offered)

I realize that I just named off a ton of prospects to monitor. However, five-star cornerback Charles Lester III (who has multiple predictions to commit with the Seminoles), five-star safety KJ Bolden (who may be considered a long shot due to not having an official visit scheduled with FSU yet), four-star safety Ricardo Jones, and four-star cornerback Jalewis Solomon, and four-star cornerback Ricky Knight III should be highlighted within that list.

COMMITTED: 1

NEED: 2-3