Florida State football's coaching staff has hosted several prospects on campus for visits in January. However, the Seminoles only have five commitments in their 2027 class. They do have the 11th-best recruiting class, according to 247Sports Composite.
The fan base wants to see the program ranked in the top ten, which is something the Seminoles have not achieved during Mike Norvell's tenure. The hope is that this is finally the year that it gets done.
Florida State might have five prospects committed, but none of them are quarterbacks. The position is the most vital to a team's success (just ask any elite program in college football).
Florida State loses out on three-star quarterback Derrick Baker to Tennessee
Florida State was involved with several signal-callers in the 2027 recruiting cycle, where they brought them to several Junior Days.
The quarterback position will make-or-break the Seminoles during the 2025 season. They had Kevin Sperry and Jaden O'Neal from the high school ranks, as well as adding Ashton Daniels, Dean DeNobile, and Malachi Marshall (JUCO).
This could be a competition that could be extended to the week before the opener against New Mexico State, but the coaching staff will have under seven months to get everything in order.
Florida State has gone after transfers in the past two cycles (DJ Uiagalelei and Thomas Castellanos) for quarterbacks. High school signal-callers have not gone well for Coach Norvell, even though the fan base is hoping for the best with former four-star Kevin Sperry.
Class of 2027 three-star Derrick Baker from Alpharetta, Georgia, has someone that the Seminoles were involved with, and he even visited Florida State on the weekend of January 24th. However, Baker decided to commit to the Tennessee Volunteers on Wednesday afternoon.
This places all of the pressure on landing four-star Wonderful "Champ" Monds IV from Vero Beach, Florida, and not allowing Florida or Notre Dame to get him. Monds IV was on campus when the legendary Jameis Winston was in town for his younger brother's official visit. Hopefully, that was enough to wow him and open the door for the Seminoles to be the leader in his recruitment.