Florida State ranks as the 38th-best recruiting class, according to the 247Sports Composite. The Seminoles are trying to make a good impression as arch-rival Florida come to town.
Head football coach Mike Norvell is looking to make a statement against a team that the Seminole faithful do not like. Florida State takes on Florida tonight at 7 PM EST on ESPN2.
The eyes will be on this game even though the Seminoles have underperformed this season. The program has had its fair share of de-commitments, such as quarterback Tramell Jones Jr., running back Byron Louis, wide receivers Malik Clark, Daylan McCutcheon, and CJ Wiley, offensive lineman Daniel Pierre-Louis, defensive end Javion Hilson, and defensive tackle Myron Charles.
That is a ton of talented prospects that have backed off their pledge to the university. This has got to be a springboard, as the Early Signing Period begins on December 4th. I want to mention three prospects that Florida State could make a good impression versus Florida.
FIVE-STAR DL JUSTUS TERRY
Florida State currently has three defensive line prospects in its 2025 recruiting class with four-star defensive tackle Kevin Wynn as well as three-star defensive ends Darryll and Mandrell Desir. However, the Seminoles are looking to go big-game hunting in the trenches.
Florida State is already trending well with four-star defensive end LaJesse Harrold, who recently backed off his pledge to LSU. Harrold received a prediction of the Seminoles from On3's Steve Wiltfong, which is a great sign. The coaching staff is also trying to flip the services of four-star defensive end Tylon Lee (Ole Miss commit).
However, the Seminoles are getting a surprise visitor in five-star defensive tackle Justus Terry from Manchester, Georgia. He has been crystal balled to the home-state Georgia Bulldogs. However, he has not committed there yet. It is promising that he wanted to take a visit to Tallahassee for this game.
The coaching staff has been working hard to sway Terry over to Florida State.
FIVE-STAR OL SOLOMON THOMAS (FSU COMMIT)
Florida State's offensive line has been downright horrific this season. It was so bad that the Seminoles had no choice but to fire its offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Alex Atkins.
The truth of the matter is that I am a fan of Atkins and wish him nothing but the best in the next chapter of his coaching career. However, he has not been able to properly develop the offensive line and often relies heavily on the transfer portal instead of the recruits that he brought in.
With that being said, five-star offensive line commit Solomon Thomas was frustrated when he heard the news that Atkins was let go. This was the person that recruited him to come to Tallahassee. It had to be difficult for him to hear about the firing.
Thomas has visited other schools. The Jacksonville native looks to be down to Florida State, Florida, and LSU. Mike Norvell and the coaching staff have to make a good impression. Then, hopefully, hire an offensive line coach that satisfies what Thomas wants in his mentor.
FOUR-STAR DL KEVIN WYNN (FSU COMMIT)
I previously expressed the need for Florida State to continue to emphasize the importance of keeping its prospects in the fold. The Seminoles will not be going to a bowl game in 2025 (I cannot believe that it is a reality). The future of the program will rely on recruiting and transfer portal pickups.
It won't get any easier as the Alabama Crimson Tide are coming to Tallahassee for the 2025 season opener. It is important that the offensive and defensive trenches are secured.
One prospect that I would hate to see the Seminoles lose is four-star defensive tackle commit Kevin Wynn. He was predicted to flip to South Carolina. However, Wynn is still pledged to Florida State. The Gamecocks are taking on Clemson today on the road, so the Georgia native thought that a trip to Tallahassee for their matchup versus Florida would be most convenient.
Nonetheless, defensive tackles coach Odell Haggins has a long track history of developing defensive tackles for the NFL. I hope that the Seminoles can hold on to Wynn when Early Signing Day rolls around on December 4th.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Florida State's coaching staff is trying to put all of its marbles in for this weekend versus Florida. While the Gators are 16.5-point favorites, this is a 6-5 Florida team that has four wins over teams such as UCF, Samford, Mississippi State, and Kentucky (all have losing records).
This is a game that I believe Florida State could win if they put their best foot forward. Nonetheless, I realize that the Seminoles have had memorable Signing Days with most notably former five-star prospect Travis Hunter flipped from Florida State to Jackson State (sorry for the PTSD...).
I think that Florida State has a chance to make some waves in a few recruitments. The Seminoles have a busy recruiting weekend where they bring in prospects such as four-star running back Ousmane Kromah (Georgia commit), four-star wide receiver Tae'shaun Gelsey (Florida commit), four-star defensive tackle Myron Charles (Texas commit), and four-star linebacker Tavion Wallace (Arkansas commit).
It is difficult to say who is needed more. Florida State desperately needs them all for quality depth at a variety of positions. While I think the Seminoles focus more on the transfer portal this offseason, building a foundation on the recruiting trail leads to sustainable success as a program.