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4-star tight end recruit Naseir Upshur commits to Florida State

Florida State turned to Upshur after Isaac Nauta decommitted, but it was recruiting him the entire time.

<div id="fb-root"></div><script>(function(d, s, id) {  var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];  if (d.getElementById(id)) return;  js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id;  js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.3";  fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));</script><div class="fb-video" data-allowfullscreen="1" data-href="/bleacherreport/videos/vb.7331091005/10153261558551006/?type=1"><div class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/bleacherreport/videos/10153261558551006/"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/bleacherreport/videos/10153261558551006/"></a><p>4-star TE Naseir Upshur commits with graffiti art in North Philly.</p>Posted by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/bleacherreport">Bleacher Report</a> on Tuesday, September 1, 2015</blockquote></div></div> <p>After Isaac Nauta decommitted, Florida State had a hole in its tight end recruiting. Luckily, it had also been recruiting another tight end the entire time in Naseir Upshur of Philadelphia (Pa.) Imhotep Institute. Tuesday afternoon Upshur committed to Florida State over Michigan and others.

Upshur cancelled a scheduled visit to Michigan and came to Tallahassee instead on August 7th, his only visit to the campus. He very much enjoyed the trip and showed his interest in the Seminoles by bringing his brothers along with him -- a trip that was paid for by his family and not the school, since it was not an official visit.

In 2014, Upshur had 11 receiving touchdowns for Imhotep Institute with over 600 receiving yards. He also has experience playing on defense, recording 13 sacks over his past two seasons.

According to 247 sports, Upshur is the fifth best tight end in the country from the 2016 class and held offers among the likes of Alabama, Auburn, and Ohio State;  just some of his 41 different Division I scholarship offers. Upshur is 6'2, and 239 pounds.

SB Nation's Bud Elliott previously reviewed Upshur:

Why is Upshur rated four-stars?

He's a good athlete for his size, with a lot of natural power when he blocks. I don't see any problems with his catching, though it is a highlight reel, so there shouldn't be any drops there. He has good, but not great speed. He could be a very good college tight end or H-Back a couple years down the line as he refines his skills at the position, like route running.

Why is Upshur not a five-star?

First, tight ends are rarely rated five-stars. Nauta and players like O.J. Howard (Alabama c/o 2013) are quite rare. Typically five-star tight end recruits re 6'4+ and either have excellent top-end speed or a great natural knack for playing the position, and they project to make an impact early -- something the vast majority of first-year tight ends do not do.

Currently on the roster, FSU has four tight ends with a combined two game appearances last season, both by redshirt freshman Ryan Izzo. Nick O' Leary started all 14 games last season and has since departed for the NFL.

Upshur is the the 18th commit to Florida State from the 2016 class, and the 13th blue chip (four star or better).