FSU football: DB target Jamari Howard decommits from Michigan State

FSU football is in the mix for several blue-chip defensive backs in the 2024 recruiting cycle.

One of the top targets is four-star cornerback Jamari Howard, who had a commitment to Michigan State until Saturday morning.

Howard was one of the first guys I mentioned whose recruitment could be impacted when FSU hired Patrick Surtain as the new defensive backs coach earlier this year.

Howard announced his de-commitment from Michigan State via his Twitter account Saturday morning:

Howard is a top player in the composite rankings, and I figured it would be tough for Michigan State to hold on to a player of that caliber that hails from South Florida.

FSU has gotten Howard on campus several times, including FSU’s game against Florida last year and a visit in March after Patrick Surtain got hired by the Noles. The Noles have been working to flip Howard for some time, and the de-commitment from Michigan State is the first step in that process. Howard ranks as the No. 104 player nationally, and the No. 12 cornerback.

He ranks as the No. 18 player in Florida and checks in at 6’2″ and 175 pounds. Howard fits exactly what FSU looks for in its defensive backs, including nearly an 80″ wingspan. Howard is a guy that all the top schools want, including Florida and Miami.

The Gators secured an official visit with Howard for June 2. FSU has most of its top targets visiting Tallahassee later in the month, so that’ll be something to watch for to see if they can get an official with Howard around that time.

FSU coaches are in a good spot with five-star cornerback Charles Lester, who could be influential with Howard or vice-versa.

Howard basically lives in Miami’s backyard, but they don’t seem to have the juice with the top players they had a year ago. Stay tuned to see when and if the Noles can get Howard back on campus.