FSU football: Noles trending for 2024 blue-chip Zaquan Patterson?

FSU football already has a top-five recruiting class nationally, but that class could get much better in a few days. Zaquan Patterson will announce his commitment on Saturday, and the recent trend favors the Noles, according to the latest predictions.

Patterson is the No. 77 player and No. 3 ranked safety nationally. He’s also the No. 10 ranked player in the Sunshine State. Patterson lists at 6’0″ and 185 pounds.

I wrote about FSU’s recent success in Georgia and Florida with its 2024 recruiting class and noted the Noles needed to get a few more higher-rated players from Florida in its class. Patterson would fit the bill nicely, hailing from powerhouse Chaminade-Madonna Prep in Hollywood, Florida.

That’s the home of 2023 signee Edwin Joseph. Patterson is also a high school teammate with huge FSU recruiting targets Joshisa Trader and Jeremiah Smith.

Those two players are committed to Miami and Ohio State, respectively. However, both have been to FSU’s campus several times, with plans to officially visit the Noles during the season.

Patterson has yet to use official visits, though he visited FSU in March and June this year. Like most of the top prospects in the 2024 recruiting cycle, FSU was among the first to offer the South Florida product on May 12, 2001.

If Patterson chooses the Noles, they would likely have the crown for the best defensive backs class nationally. FSU already has five-star cornerback Charles Lester III, five-star safety KJ Bolden, four-star defensive back Ricky Knight, and three-star safety CJ Heard.

However, FSU still has another defensive back recruiting target out there in four-star Jamari Howard. Not to mention, this would take another major target off Miami’s board, as they continue to struggle in this recruiting cycle.

This recruitment will probably go down to the wire, regardless of where he chooses, but I’d rather have him now instead of having to chase.