FSU football: Four-star safety Ricardo Jones includes FSU in top nine

FSU football defensive backs coach Patrick Surtain Sr. is still looking for his first defensive back commitment since being hired by the Seminoles on January 18, 2023.

FSU football only has one defensive back prospect in three-star safety CJ Heard after four-star safety Jordan Pride de-committed from the Seminoles and committed to Texas A&M.

Florida State continues to look for the right fit for the safety position. It is worth mentioning that four-star safety target Ricardo Jones from Northside High School in Warner Robins, Georgia, included Florida State in his top nine schools list Saturday.

Florida State continues to look for the right fit for the safety position. It is worth mentioning that four-star safety target Ricardo Jones from Northside High School in Warner Robins, Georgia, included Florida State in his top nine schools list Saturday.

Jones has scheduled his official visit to Tallahassee for June 23. That is a great development, given he will officially visit Clemson on June 2. The Tigers have recently entered the picture for his recruitment after offering him on March 10. FSU football will get their chance to make a lasting impression on the talented defender. It is also worth noting that Jones has visited the Seminoles more than any other school.

However, in case Jones doesn’t work out for Florida State, they have their sights on numerous safety targets, such as five-star KJ Bolden, four-star Zaquan Patterson, three-star Ryan Mack, and three-star Alonzo Hampton.

Unfortunately, one of the Seminoles’ targets at the safety position, four-star Brandon Jacob from Evans High School in Orlando, Florida, did not include FSU in his top 12 schools list. Jacob named the Seminoles a top school back in the month of January.

That speaks volumes to how confident the coaching staff is in remaining targets on their board. With redshirt senior safety Akeem Dent departing after the 2023 season, Florida State needs to have a plan to replace his production.

Personally, I expect the coaching staff to continue to expand their safety recruiting board and acquire 2-3 safety prospects during this recruiting cycle.