It doesn't sound like an FSU flip will be possible after Miami commit's definitive comments

When four-star offensive lineman Jatori Williams moved his scheduled announcement date from May 22 to July 4, it seemingly opened a window of opportunity for FSU. 

But Williams surprised many by making his pledge to Miami on Thursday, choosing the Hurricanes over the Seminoles and a few other schools (Georgia, Alabama and Kentucky) and then the blue-chip mauler  appeared to completely slam the door on FSU with his final comments to Chad Simmons.

Williams has a June 12 official visit to Tallahassee on the schedule. Obviously, that visit is in question right now and, truth be told, it wouldn't surprise me to see Williams cancel it altogether along with his other ones, like Georgia next weekend. 

The entire development with Williams is a disappointing result for Mike Norvell and the FSU staff. I think they have had to be very selective about the higher-end targets they go after this cycle and Williams was a player that they believed they had a good shot at and one they were probably willing to put together a competitive offer for. Losing him to anyone is a tough blow, but losing him to a conference rival that appears so much more equipped to compete at the top of college football right now.

Mike Norvell desperately needs a new recruiting strategy

Norvell's reputation in recruiting isn't mud, but it's pretty close. Analysts like Bud Elliott and more recently JD Pickell are constantly taking shots at Norvell for his lack of success on the trail. Elliott, who produced the "Nolecast" for several years, decided to step away from the project out of his frustration with Norvell's various shortcomings. The budget is an issue right now, but even when the budget was good, Norvell and his staff have never gotten their footing with high school recruiting at the level that's expected at FSU.

The coach has to face the reality that he's in instead of the fantasy world that he wants to be in. Norvell still goes very heavy in the transfer portal, and it doesn't leave much room for high school recruits to believe that they are going to be valued and developed properly. And FSU's portal recruiting isn't what it used to be either as the staff is being forced to reach on players that they hope can meet projected upside rather than proven production.

There are programs that know they can't compete in the high-rent districts and really try to nail evaluations to put the best possible product on the field. Illinois is a great example of that. Georgia Tech has improved greatly in that area since Brent Key arrived. Minnesota has been good at this and PJ Fleck is a coach that I believe the FSU administration should take a serious look if they decide to move away from Norvell.

Obviously, Illinois, Minnesota and Georgia Tech aren't competing for championships, and they aren't going to sign many, if any, top-150 recruits. But when the 24-team playoff arrives (and it's coming), those programs will be in a position to capitalize on the expansion. Meanwhile, FSU isn't even a consistent bowl team right now and the results, both on the field and on the trail, have been nothing short of embarrassing. There's no reward for being in a blue chip recruit's top five if you can't sign them. The recruitment of Jatori Williams was another exercise in frustration and, unless real strategic changes are made, 

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