Despite missing out on the nation’s top overall prospect, the Florida State Seminoles assembled a top-10 recruiting class on Wednesday, the first day of the early signing period.
Three of the 12 Florida players who signed with the Seminoles were from Palm Beach County.
American Heritage kicker Jake Weinberg was among the first to sign his national letter of intent to play for the Seminoles, who were denied a spot in the four-team College Football Playoff and are preparing for their consolation game versus Georgia in the Orange Bowl on December 30.
Atlantic Community High School linebacker Jayden Parrish and Cardinal Newman High School defensive back Ricky Knight III have also signed with the Seminoles.
The Seminoles also signed one of the class’s top tight ends (Landen Thomas) and running backs (Kam Davis). Both come from Georgia.
Another Georgia native, quarterback Luke Kromenhoek, kept his word and joined with the Seminoles.
Not unexpectedly, Lake City wide receiver Camdon Frier has signed with the Seminoles. His father, Matt Frier, played wide receiver for Florida State’s first national championship team in 1993.
The Seminoles were unable to flip five-star Hollywood wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, who has committed to Ohio State since 2022. The Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory player recently had an official visit to Florida State and was spotted wearing FSU gloves during a game, but he ultimately signed with the Buckeyes.
“Florida State is not for everyone,” head coach Mike Norvell told reporters Wednesday, praising the players that have signed with the Seminoles.
Norvell stated that many of the recruits that signed had established relationships with the coaching staff.
“We’re not half-hearted about building relationships,” Norvell added. “We try to pour everything we have into it.”
Norvell said that “it hurts” to lose players.
“I care about these kids and, you know, just because they don’t choose Florida State doesn’t mean I won’t care about them,” Norvell went on to say. “It just (means) you don’t get to be part of the journey with them.”
But he’s more interested in those who choose to become Seminoles.
“Whether you come to Florida State or not, I know where we’re going,” stated Norvell.
