Is Florida State's coaching staff establishing a Chaminade-Madonna Prep pipeline?

FSU football has already started on the right foot acquiring four highly-touted prospects in the 2025 recruiting cycle. The Seminoles have five-star offensive lineman Solomon Thomas, four-star quarterback Tramell Jones Jr., four-star defensive end Javion Hilson, and four-star linebacker Ethan Pritchard in the fold.

However, this coaching staff is not finished constructing an elite recruiting class. The Seminoles were developing relationships in the South Florida area. Florida State got signings of some talented kids in the region for the 2024 recruiting cycle such as four-star cornerback Jamari Howard, four-star wide receiver Lawayne McCoy, four-star cornerback Ricky Knight III, and three-star defensive tackle Jamorie Flagg.

Head football coach Mike Norvell has continued his success on the recruiting trail after having an undefeated regular season and winning the ACC Championship Game in 2023. One high school of interest has been Chaminade-Madonna Prep in Hollywood (FL). The Seminoles were able to land former four-star defensive back Edwin Joseph Jr. in the 2023 recruiting cycle from the area.

Florida State would like for it to become a pipeline for recruits to come to Tallahassee. Norvell elected to go down to the high school yesterday, who have two notable prospects that FSU is highly interested in four-star cornerback Chris Ewald and four-star wide receiver Koby Howard.

CHRIS EWALD

As it pertains to Ewald, Florida State defensive backs coach Patrick Surtain Sr. has done a tremendous job recruiting the position during his tenure with the Seminoles. While he has not secured a 2025 prospect yet, he has expanded the recruiting board with talented options.

According to Ewald's 247Sports profile, he had 45 tackles, 20 pass breakups, and 2 interceptions during the 2023 season for the Lions. He de-committed from the Michigan Wolverines on January 15th. It seems unlikely that he would re-commit to the program with Harbaugh heading to the Chargers.

He has continued to showcase interest in the Seminoles where he unofficially visited on November 11th for Florida State's victory over the arch-rival Miami Hurricanes. I could envision the talented defensive back taking a visit to Tallahassee shortly.

KOBY HOWARD

Wide receivers coach Ron Dugans has continued to cook with hot grease on the recruiting trail. Some fans were critical of his recruiting prowess. However, he certainly redeemed himself in the 2024 recruiting cycle where he secured four-stars Camdon Frier, BJ Gibson, Lawayne McCoy, and Elijah Moore.

While he has not secured any prospects in the 2025 cycle (three-star DL Hardison parted ways from the program a while back), he does have talented options that could be in play.

One prospect to monitor is four-star Koby Howard. Like Ewald, he unofficially visited during the Miami game on November 11th. He is considered the 35th-best wide receiver in the 2025 cycle. Howard is listed at 5'11" and 180 pounds and could project as a phenomenal playmaker in the slot.