The Florida State Seminoles have been busy this summer, hosting a steady stream of official visitors to their campus in Tallahassee. Over the past three weekends, they've welcomed a diverse group of prospects, each with their own unique story and journey to the Seminoles. In this article, I'll take a deep dive into the key visitors, their backgrounds, and the potential implications for Florida State's recruiting class. From running backs to wide receivers, and defensive linemen to athletes, the Seminoles have been making their presence felt across the country. But what does this all mean for the program's future? Let's find out.
The Running Backs
One of the most intriguing visitors was Jayden Miles, a four-star running back from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Miles had originally scheduled official visits to Kentucky and LSU, but he ended up committing to Florida State on June 8th. What makes this particularly fascinating is the fact that he had previously visited Ohio State, only to choose the Seminoles over them. This raises a deeper question: what influenced his decision to flip his commitment? Was it the coaching staff's persistence, the team's recent success, or something else entirely? In my opinion, this flip highlights the competitive nature of college football recruiting and the importance of building relationships with prospects.
Another notable running back visitor was Marquis Fennell, a three-star prospect from Valdosta, Georgia. Fennell officially visited Florida State on June 5th, marking his final official visit. He had previously seen Colorado and Stanford, and he intends to announce his decision on June 25th. What makes this interesting is the fact that Florida State is in a great position to secure a public commitment at that time. This suggests that the Seminoles have been building momentum with Fennell, and it will be interesting to see if they can convert that momentum into a commitment.
The Wide Receivers
The wide receiver group was well-represented among the official visitors. Antwan Lockett, a three-star prospect from Moultrie, Georgia, took an official visit to Florida State on May 29th and then traveled to Georgia Tech the following weekend. He committed to the Yellow Jackets on June 11th, but Louisville had also been in consideration. This raises a question: what influenced Lockett's decision to commit to Georgia Tech instead of Florida State? Was it the coaching staff's approach, the team's recent success, or something else entirely? In my opinion, this highlights the importance of building relationships with prospects and the need for coaches to be persistent in their pursuit.
Sean Green, a four-star wide receiver from Kingsland, Georgia, officially visited Florida State during the weekend of June 5th and committed to the Seminoles over Georgia on June 9th. He returned to FSU's campus on Wednesday to participate in a 7-on-7 team camp. This raises a deeper question: what influenced Green's decision to commit to Florida State? Was it the coaching staff's approach, the team's recent success, or something else entirely? In my opinion, this highlights the importance of building relationships with prospects and the need for coaches to be persistent in their pursuit.
The Defensive Linemen
The defensive line group was also well-represented among the official visitors. Karlos May, a four-star defensive lineman from Birmingham, Alabama, officially visited Florida State on May 29th and has since traveled to Georgia and Auburn. A trip to Ohio State is planned for this upcoming weekend. The two SEC schools appear to be battling it out at the top for his services, but he does maintain near daily communication with FSU. This raises a deeper question: what influenced May's decision to maintain communication with Florida State despite the competition? Was it the coaching staff's approach, the team's recent success, or something else entirely? In my opinion, this highlights the importance of building relationships with prospects and the need for coaches to be persistent in their pursuit.
Eric Vaulx Jr., a three-star defensive lineman from Lake Cormorant, Mississippi, officially visited Florida State during the weekend of May 29th and committed during the visit, sharing that news on May 31st. He chose FSU over Arkansas, Missouri, and Tennessee, among others. This raises a deeper question: what influenced Vaulx Jr.'s decision to commit to Florida State? Was it the coaching staff's approach, the team's recent success, or something else entirely? In my opinion, this highlights the importance of building relationships with prospects and the need for coaches to be persistent in their pursuit.
The Linebackers
The linebacker group was also well-represented among the official visitors. Jernard Albright, a three-star linebacker from Springfield, Georgia, made his way to Florida State on June 5th and committed to the Seminoles by Sunday. The commitment was a flip as he entered the visit committed to South Carolina. He had been committed to the Gamecocks since Christmas Day. This raises a deeper question: what influenced Albright's decision to flip his commitment? Was it the coaching staff's approach, the team's recent success, or something else entirely? In my opinion, this highlights the importance of building relationships with prospects and the need for coaches to be persistent in their pursuit.
Olrick Johnson III, a three-star linebacker from Kennesaw, Georgia, officially visited FSU on the weekend of June 5th. He was fresh off visits to Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech, both during the week prior. He exited the FSU official visit with plans to see Arkansas and NC State over the next two weekends. Instead, around midweek after the official visit, he decided to commit to the Seminoles and went public with that decision on June 11th. This raises a deeper question: what influenced Johnson III's decision to commit to Florida State? Was it the coaching staff's approach, the team's recent success, or something else entirely? In my opinion, this highlights the importance of building relationships with prospects and the need for coaches to be persistent in their pursuit.
The Athletes
The athlete group was also well-represented among the official visitors. Dayon Cooper, a three-star athlete from South Pittsburg, Tennessee, officially visited FSU on June 5th as a commitment to the Seminoles, but there was uncertainty surrounding that pledge entering the trip. FSU liked the 6-foot-1, 183-pound athlete as a defensive back. He spoke about an interest in wanting to play wide receiver. After departing FSU, he followed through with an official visit to Tennessee the next weekend, eventually decommitting from the Seminoles and flipping to the Volunteers. This raises a deeper question: what influenced Cooper's decision to decommit from Florida State? Was it the coaching staff's approach, the team's recent success, or something else entirely? In my opinion, this highlights the importance of building relationships with prospects and the need for coaches to be persistent in their pursuit.
The Wide Receivers (Continued)
Majay Thompson, a three-star wide receiver from Shelby, North Carolina, officially visited FSU during the weekend of June 12th. It marked his fourth and final official visit. He also saw Alabama, Georgia, and Wake Forest. A decision is expected from Thompson on Friday, with the belief that it is a battle between the Bulldogs and Demon Deacons for his services. This raises a deeper question: what influenced Thompson's decision to visit so many schools? Was it the coaching staff's approach, the team's recent success, or something else entirely? In my opinion, this highlights the importance of building relationships with prospects and the need for coaches to be persistent in their pursuit.
Colton Johnson, a three-star tight end from Baxter, Tennessee, made his way to Florida State for an official visit on June 12th. He was previously on the schedule for June 5th, but Alabama bumped FSU from that date. FSU was able to get him back on the schedule. Other officials taken include Ole Miss, Purdue, and North Carolina. He is scheduled to see Indiana and Tennessee this coming week, as of Sunday when he departed FSU. He is fully going through the process, but FSU believes they are thoroughly in the mix. The Seminoles are one of his longest suitors. This raises a deeper question: what influenced Johnson's decision to visit so many schools? Was it the coaching staff's approach, the team's recent success, or something else entirely? In my opinion, this highlights the importance of building relationships with prospects and the need for coaches to be persistent in their pursuit.
The Offensive Linemen
DaJohn Yarborough, a three-star interior offensive lineman from Chandler, Arizona, is the lone offensive lineman to visit FSU so far this summer for an official visit. He is a priority for the Seminoles. He came to FSU after official visits to Mississippi State and Cal. He intends to take an official visit to Washington this coming weekend. He told Noles247 that he intends to decide on July 11th. This raises a deeper question: what influenced Yarborough's decision to visit so many schools? Was it the coaching staff's approach, the team's recent success, or something else entirely? In my opinion, this highlights the importance of building relationships with prospects and the need for coaches to be persistent in their pursuit.
The Edge Rushers
Jaxon Holly, a three-star edge rusher from Roswell, Georgia, entered his official visit with FSU on June 12th leaning towards the Seminoles and that resulted in a commitment while he was on campus. He chose FSU over Auburn and Virginia Tech. This raises a deeper question: what influenced Holly's decision to commit to Florida State? Was it the coaching staff's approach, the team's recent success, or something else entirely? In my opinion, this highlights the importance of building relationships with prospects and the need for coaches to be persistent in their pursuit.
The Defensive Linemen (Continued)
Sam LeJeune, a four-star defensive lineman from Poplarville, Mississippi, has been a long-time priority for FSU. His official visit over the weekend of June 12th culminated a recruitment that began with a summer camp visit in 2024. The Top247 prospect is now in decision-mode and said on Sunday that it was largely between Cal and FSU, though he also officially visited Auburn and Washington over the last month. A specific decision date hasn't been set yet. FSU is viewed as the favorite and most likely destination as we approach an announcement. This raises a deeper question: what influenced LeJeune's decision to consider so many schools? Was it the coaching staff's approach, the team's recent success, or something else entirely? In my opinion, this highlights the importance of building relationships with prospects and the need for coaches to be persistent in their pursuit.
The Safeties
Ta'Shawn Poole, a four-star safety from Macon, Georgia, has been high on FSU since a spring visit and FSU used their official visit on the weekend of June 12th to try and secure his services. Poole had taken official visits to Clemson and Tennessee, the two weekends prior to his trip to Tallahassee. Miami was on the schedule for June 19th, but that visit is now off, per Poole. Poole's decision will come down to the Seminoles and Volunteers it appears. FSU is viewed as the favorite as he works out a decision date and announcement. This raises a deeper question: what influenced Poole's decision to consider so many schools? Was it the coaching staff's approach, the team's recent success, or something else entirely? In my opinion, this highlights the importance of building relationships with prospects and the need for coaches to be persistent in their pursuit.
The Weekend Ahead
FSU will wrap up four weekends of official visits by hosting several prospects starting on June 19th. For a look at expected official visitors for this weekend, as of now, click here. This raises a deeper question: what will the future hold for Florida State's recruiting class? Will they be able to secure the commitments they need to build a strong team? In my opinion, the answer lies in the relationships built with prospects and the persistence of the coaching staff. Only time will tell if the Seminoles can convert their momentum into a successful recruiting class.
