FSU football: Top DE target receives crystal ball predictions to Auburn

FSU football has one of the best high school defensive end players Javion Hilson committed to its 2025 recruiting class. The Noles would love to get another top high school player at the position and have targeted four-star Jared Smith as one of their top remaining targets. I profiled the defensive end position as one of the remaining needs to address in the 2025 class a few days ago. However, it appears the talented player is trending toward the Auburn Tigers as of Tuesday when he received two predictions in their favor with a confidence of six out of 10. The Noles were among the first few teams to offer the Alabama native, and got him on campus several times, including an official visit in June. He also officially visited USC, Georgia, South Carolina, and Ole Miss. However, one would think the coaching staff would learn about Alabama players from their experience with Keldric Faulk in the 2023 recruiting cycle. It's extremely difficult to get those Alabama players to leave the state and not choose Alabama or Auburn.

I understand it's a position of need and Smith is an incredibly talented player, but hopefully, this is the last time we see this from the staff. Usually, there are enough talented defensive ends between Florida and Georgia that they shouldn't have to leave those areas. It's also where they recruit the best. It'll be interesting to see where FSU turns if Smith chooses elsewhere. They likely could have gotten a commitment from three-star Nicolas Clayton a few weeks back, but he committed to Wisconsin. However, that's likely a player they can circle back to, or see what becomes available in the portal. FSU has several young defensive ends on the roster who can continue developing like Aaron Hester, Lamont Green Jr., Jaden Jones, and Byron Turner Jr. I'd rather the staff take a portal guy than a project who'll take multiple years to develop.