Florida State of Recruiting: June 21 official visitors preview, Part One (2024)

The month of June has been a very busy one for the Florida State Seminoles coaching staff on the recruiting trail. We’ve taken a look at official visitors expected in each weekend (and mid-week) and let you know what we’ve heard around each prospect as well as our thoughts on where FSU stands for their signatures.

We’re ending the month of June with a serious bang, as this weekend will be the premier summer weekend for official visits. All eyes will be on Tallahassee as FSU will host 19 official visitors between Friday and Sunday, and there may be some early fireworks on campus once this one wraps up.

There are so many visitor that I need to break this into two articles.

Let’s get to it with the targets on offense first!

Commitments:

Quarterback Tramell Jones

Jones, a blue-chip from Jacksonville, has been committed since April 2023. Though Jones and FSU have remained loyal to each other thus far, UF continues to pursue him heavily and is pushing for Jones to take an official visit. If he chooses to grant UF’s wish, FSU will undoubtedly counter by bringing in other quarterbacks for visits. I could see FSU pivoting away from Jones in that case.

As of now, I’m leaning towards FSU being able to lock down Jones during his official visit. UF is trying to use FSU’s youthful depth as a detraction, but the Gators are surely set to ruin DJ Lagway’s development starting as soon as this season by playing him too early, and Billy Napier is a lame duck coach. I can’t imagine Jones falling for the Gators’ pitch but stranger things have happened and money talks when enough is offered (but let’s be real, can UF pay it? Jaden Rashada, anyone?)

Offensive lineman Solomon Thomas

Thomas committed to FSU back in December of 2023 but continues to flirt with other programs. I never felt great about FSU’s ability to shut out other programs but LSU and UF in particular have made major inroads with the 6’4”, 315 pound road grader, to the point where I could see him flipping to either school based on what kind of NIL offers he gets.

Thomas will take his OV to FSU this weekend and has stated that he plans to shut things down soon after, but even if FSU is able to reassert its dominance in the race for his signature, I have a feeling that plenty of consternation will follow this recruitment until the 2025 cycle ends. The coaches will do their best to lock him in.

Targets:

Running back Byron Louis

The 5’11”, 200 pound American Heritage product (yes, Pat Surtain’s old stomping grounds) has ascended to the top of the running back board for FSU. Louis has great initial burst, getting low to the ground and keeping his powerful legs churning to breeze through arm tackles. He can plant his foot and after one cut, get used to seeing the back of his jersey as he pulls away from defenders. Last season he tallied 160 carries for 1,224 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Miami made up some ground with him recently and Georgia has pushed its way into his top group after getting more involved with last weekends visit. The Bulldogs make me more nervous than Miami but with Louis officially visiting this weekend, FSU will have a great opportunity to make a lasting impression that turns into a commitment. I would still be surprised if he isn’t part of #Tribe25.

Wide receiver Vernell Brown III

Brown is one of the top targets on Ron Dugans’ board. He’s a UF legacy and while Ohio State was a strong early leader, UF and FSU have now overtaken the Buckeyes. The Gators and Buckeyes will be tough to beat but FSU sits in a strong position for the dynamic 5’11”, 170 pound playmaker. Just sit back and enjoy these highlights, especially the first play.

Brown has an uncanny ability to find soft spots in coverage and is a threat to take any reception for another 10+ yards thanks to his crafty footwork and explosive burst. Brown feasts on sweeps and screens but has no qualms going across the middle despite his lithe frame. Once he puts on another 15 pounds of muscle, he is a likely starter that can also impact the return game.

Wide receiver Daylan McCutcheon

While there have a few notable exceptions over the years, normally I wouldn’t put much stock in top targets from Texas becoming Seminoles. The 5’11”, 175 pound McCutcheon is a different story due to strong family ties to the state of Florida (Fort Lauderdale) and the great connection he’s built with Ron Dugans. Another name atop the WR board, McCutcheon hauled in 92 catches for 1,423 yards and 19 touchdowns last season- that’s some serious productivity.

McCutcheon is among my favorite prospects in this cycle. Watching his film, at times I swear I’m looking at the next Rashad Greene. McCutcheon has deceptive speed and is already an accomplished route runner. He shows sound awareness of the field in front of him and doesn’t shy away from contact. He has Mr. Reliable written all over him at the next level. Ohio State, USC, and Texas are the top competition for him but FSU could seal this one with a strong OV experience.

Wide receiver CJ Wiley

The 6’4”, 195 pound Wiley is in demand among the SEC’s who’s-who and I think he’ll ultimately choose to play for the Georgia Bulldogs, but FSU managed to land his final summer official visit, which is no small feat. Wiley is a LSU legacy whose father played for the Carolina Panthers in the NFL.

Wiley isn’t just a tall body. He has deceptive speed and averaged over 21 yards per catch last season- and he had 68 catches. Watch his film and you’ll see go routes and deep posts with Wiley burning the man across from him religiously. He’s a big play waiting to happen and someone FSU would love to have.

Tight end Hollis Davidson

I believe Davidson will be a Seminole sooner rather than later. After decommitting from Auburn earlier this summer, Davidson has spent time in Tallahassee and I have him on commit watch during his OV despite an enjoyable trip to the Plains last weekend. The 6’5”, 238 pounder from Georgia also likes Texas and UF but FSU is the firm leader in the clubhouse.

Davidson is a very good athlete who moves more like a jumbo receiver and knows how to utilize his body in traffic. He shows a willingness to block and could still add another 10 pounds of muscle to his frame, but his bread and butter will be in the red zone and schooling linebackers in coverage across the middle. Davidson and current FSU freshman Landen Thomas will be a lot of fun to watch in the years to come, unless you’re an opposing defensive coordinator.

Offensive lineman Josh Petty

Over the past month, the odds of signing Petty have gone from an outside chance to a favorable chance with his sister enrolling at FSU this summer and Petty wanting to attend the same college (though this is not set in stone, it’s a big selling point for the Seminoles). Petty would be a fantastic addition to the class and would be the highest-rated and most talented offensive lineman to play under to Alex Atkins to date. Just watch him devastate defender after defender and you’ll see why.

The 6’5”, 265 pounder from Georgia is also considering the hometown Bulldogs and Yellow Jackets, Ohio State, Oregon, Tennessee, and Stanford (so you know he is elite between the ears as well as on the field). Georgia, Ohio State, and Tennessee are certainly ones to watch but with FSU hosting him for the final official visit weekend, might there be early fireworks in Tallahassee? Atkins and Norvell will do everything possible to make it so for the prototypical offensive tackle target.

Offensive lineman Ty Haywood

Haywood is a 6’5”, 285 pound five-star stud from Texas ranked in the national top 15 prospects for 2025. He has enjoyed getting to know the FSU staff and will likely keep FSU in his top group, but this one is very likely to come down to major monetary resources and I’ll be surprised if Haywood chooses a school outside of the Midwest unless it’s Bama. Aside from the Tide, Texas, Texas A&M, and Oklahoma seem best suited to land him.

Haywood has a long wingspan and quick feet, allowing him to explode off the line and punish the man opposite him. I believe he’s a future first-round NFL draft pick as long as he stays healthy and continues to absorb coaching. FSU will try its hardest to convince Haywood to choose Tallahassee as his next home, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see fellow Texan Jaylen Early as one of his hosts throughout the weekend.

Offensive lineman Peyton Joseph

The 6’3”, 310 pound Joseph came back on the market after spurning his UF commitment back in mid-April. FSU surged up the leaderboard for him soon after, with the Memphis Tigers as a legitimate threat (he wants to play with his teammate and quarterback, and that would happen at Memphis). That said, should he choose FSU he’ll get to play alongside his cousin, Alabama transfer TJ Ferguson. I have Joseph on commit watch, assuming he is given the green light by FSU to join #Tribe25.

Joseph does a good job of driving his feet after locking on to a defender and uses his power to drive defenders off the line. He will need some time in the weight room and strength and conditioning program but the tools are there for him to be a quality starter, most likely at guard, at the next level. He is also a successful shot putter, qualifying for Georgia state regionals in his division.

Offensive lineman Lamont Rogers

The 6’6”, 311 pound behemoth from Mesquite, Texas, has been a priority for Alex Atkins this cycle. Rogers rewarded that attention by setting an OV to FSU for this weekend. Oklahoma and LSU are in great shape for Rogers and as of now, I think he’ll wind up at one of those two schools.

Rogers isn’t the most explosive off the line but my goodness, he just swallows up defensive linemen with his hulking frame and brute power. With good coaching and dedication to technique, Rogers has NFL upside. Along with Ty Haywood, FSU will try its best to crack that top group and take the lead for Rogers. Perhaps the two Lone Star linemen will bond and decide to take a Texas two-step to Tallahassee.

Thanks for reading and stay tuned for part two of this weekend’s visitor preview, covering the defensive prospects expected on campus.