FSU football: 5-star DL LJ McCray trending to the Noles?

FSU football currently ranks No. 6 in the 247Sports Composite rankings with 21 prospects committed to the fold.

The Seminoles have constructed a phenomenal class filled with a variety of highly-touted prospects. However, the coaching staff still wants to add more talent to their class.

One notable prospect at the top of their target board is five-star defensive lineman LJ McCray from Mainland High School in Daytona Beach, Florida.

This would be a monumental get for the Seminoles as they only have two defensive linemen committed to the program in four-star defensive end DD Holmes and three-star defensive tackle Jamorie Flagg.

FSU will be having to replace the likes of Jared Verse, Fabien Lovett Sr., Braden Fiske, and Dennis Briggs Jr. (at the very least) at the conclusion of the 2023 season. As a result, it is vitally important that the coaching staff is able to land a prospect like McCray into their class.

The defensive line will be talented in 2024 with the likes of players such as Patrick Payton, Gilber Edmond, Byron Turner Jr., Darrell Jackson Jr., Joshua Farmer, Malcolm Ray, and others.

However, McCray is a special type of talent that the Seminoles desperately need in their rotation. Listed as 6’4”, 270 pounds, the talented defensive lineman can be utilized at both defensive end and defensive tackle (think about the versatility of Dennis Briggs Jr.).

While McCray’s recruitment has other schools associated such as Florida, Georgia, Auburn, and Miami, the Seminoles have made themselves a serious contender after his official visit in Tallahassee when Florida State defeated the Virginia Tech Hokies by a score of 39-17.

It seemed to be a foregone conclusion that the Florida Gators were the favorite in this recruitment. But McCray decided to wait out the decision process and give Florida State an opportunity by taking the October official visit. The Seminoles have certainly made it interesting down the stretch as he approaches his decision date on October 21st.

Even if the Florida State were able to land McCray, I expect them to potentially acquire one more defensive lineman prospect this cycle.