2027 FSU blue-chip QB target bonds with Nole legend while visiting for Junior Day

Florida State coaches have been in overdrive recruiting mode over the past couple of weeks as the transfer portal window opened and closed. However, they have had to focus on high school recruiting, with their first Junior Day of 2026 taking place this weekend.

One of the biggest recruits on campus was 2027 blue-chip quarterback Wonderful “Champ” Monds IV. The Sunshine State product hails from Vero Beach, Florida, and ranks as the No. 254 player and No. 17 quarterback nationally.

Florida State took advantage of having legendary FSU quarterback Jameis Winston on campus, who was accompanying his younger brother and FSU signee Jonah Winston on his official visit.

Monds has a skillset and size that makes him a desirable college quarteback

I don’t put too much stock in high school quarterback recruiting because of the transfer portal nowadays. Blue-chip quarterbacks are transferring after not playing, so it lessens the value of going all out for a high school player.

However, it’s still something the coaching staff needs to do, and it isn’t often you have a National Champion, Heisman Trophy-winning alumni on campus to help with recruiting.

Monds is already stands nearly as tall as Winston and is 225 pounds. He completed 67.5 percent of his passes in 2024, threw for 23 touchdowns against five interceptions. He also ran for 502 yards and nine touchdowns.

Needless to say, his skillset fits Gus Malzhan's offense and his accuracy is something that could make him a game-changer compared to most quarterbacks Gus Malzhan has had in the past.

It's a long way until signing day, but it's always good to get talented players on campus.