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Florida State football recruiting news 2/2

The dead period is upon us, let's get to the recruiting news.

Will Kai Locksley end up at Florida State?
Will Kai Locksley end up at Florida State?

For more complete thoughts on the class, check out our latest class update. Let's get the news kicked off with Jordan Scarlett's commitment ceremony. The four-star running back will pick one of the big three schools Monday, and while I don't believe Miami has a true shot, I really don't know if it will be Florida or Florida State. If FSU misses, I do not expect the Seminoles to reach for another back. UPDATE: Scarlett committed to Florida.

-Texas recruiting folks continue to feel confident that the Longhorns can flip QB/WR Kai Locksley. The depth chart is much more attractive at Texas than it is at Florida State, which means a greater chance of playing early and sticking as a quarterback. It would not surprise me at all to see Locksley flip to Texas on National Signing Day. UPDATE: Locksley flipped his commitment to Texas.

-My Florida State sources still believe they are in the race for five-star defensive lineman Terry Beckner even after Missouri rolled out the red carpet on his visit (see below) tells me how good of a job Odell Haggins and Tim Brewster have done recruiting him. Still, it is going to be hard to pull Beckner from East St. Louis, and I wouldn't change my projection of Missouri.

-It is difficult -- but not impossible -- to flip a player from Alabama. I've heard nothing to make me believe FSU can't do it with New Jersey DB Minkah Fitzpatrick. The play here is clear: depth chart. Just like Florida State may lose Locksley to Texas due to the chance of playing early and playing the desired position, the same reasoning helps Florida State with Fitzpatrick: FSU's depth chart at corner is far less loaded, and that also increases the chance Fitzpatrick doesn't get flipped to safety. I still expect five-star California cornerback Iman Marshall to sign with USC. That Florida State has not heavily pursued less-heralded defensive backs is likely a sign that it has confidence in one of the two. UPDATE: A new DB target might have emerged for the Seminoles.

-Where will the class finish? Third looks pretty good right now (nobody is catching Alabama and USC has the inside track to No. 2), but anywhere from second to fifth makes sense in what should be another great class for Jimbo Fisher and Co.

-I have not heard anything new on four-star QB commitment Deondre Francois, which leads me to believe he'll sign with Florida State and not flip to Florida, but I do think this is worth watching. It's also notable that UF is very much in it for Louisville commitment Lamar Jackson.

-Don't read too much into three-star defensive end Shelton Johnson not making his official visit over the weekend due to illness. FSU sent coaches to see him instead, and my Florida State sources are confident they'll beat out Miami for the lanky pass rusher.

-I'm not aware of any off-the-radar prospects at this point, though it wouldn't shock me to see FSU add a player after National Signing Day if it feels it needs a body and a player fits the need.