FSU football: Impact of Ricky Knight III commitment to Noles

Final Thoughts

It was incredibly important for FSU football to get this commitment. Knight meets a need, is a quality player, and gives FSU a win over the rival Miami Hurricanes on the recruiting trail.

FSU could lose Renardo Green, Fentrell Cypress, and Jarrian Jones after the 2023 season. Players like Knight can come and compete for playing time, especially if he’s an early enrollee.

I’m sure the staff will also have him reaching out to other South Florida players like one of FSU’s top targets, Jamari Howard, to join the 2024 recruiting class. Five-star wide receiver Joshisa Trader would be another potential target.

Knight is also first cousins with another FSU defensive backs target, Kevin Levy, and they attend the same high school. FSU expects to get good news from five-star Charles Lester later this month, so it’s possible they could land most of the defensive backs class in July.

If that’s the case, a defensive backs haul of Knight III, Levy, Lester, and the already committed safety CJ Heard is an outstanding start.

That leaves targets like Jamari Howard, Jalewis Solomon, and Zaquan Patterson to help finish an outstanding defensive backs class in Patrick Surtain’s first year as defensive backs coach.