FSU football: Impact of Jonathan Daniels commitment for the Noles

FSU football got its first 2024 offensive line commitment when four-star offensive tackle Jonathan Daniels announced two days earlier than expected.

Daniels originally set his commitment date for Saturday, July 15, with a few other FSU targets. However, rumors started to swirl Thursday afternoon he could announce his decision as early and Thursday evening, and that’s what he did around 6 p.m. ET via his Twitter account.

The recruiting win was big and much needed for FSU offensive line and offensive coordinator Alex Atkins. FSU planned to be selective in accepting commitments from high school offensive linemen in this recruiting cycle.

However, after two major targets committed to USC last month, it became important for FSU not to miss on the in-state product from nearby Pensacola, Florida. The addition moves FSU football up to No. 11 nationally, with a 69 percent blue-chip ratio.

That’s the highest blue-chip ratio by far in the Mike Norvell era, and FSU will likely add a couple of more before July ends.

Impact

Jonathan Daniels was one of the few in-state targets FSU would take in this recruiting cycle. FSU has done well in the panhandle area of Florida, so it’s good to see that momentum continue with a quality player like Daniels. It also shows FSU football continues to compete and win recruiting battles against elite programs like Georgia.

Some folks thought Daniels would sway towards Georgia after officially visiting in Athens, but the official visit to FSU afterward closed the deal. Daniels, Landen Thomas, Kameron Davis, were all coveted by the Bulldogs.

This addition means Alex Atkins has gotten two blue-chip in-state offensive tackles in the last two recruiting cycles. Not only are they blue-chip players, but both are among the top 100 players nationally. That’s something that hasn’t happened at FSU in quite some time.

Parting Thoughts

Alex Atkins has another target that will announce his decision Friday afternoon in Tye Hylton. If FSU lands Hylton? It’ll be big game hunting for one more offensive lineman, and I have a feeling I know who it will be.