Defensive back Demorie Tate taking an academic redshirt year

Florida State Seminoles football head coach Mike Norvell confirmed Wednesday that freshman defensive back Demorie Tate, who was having a promising fall camp, will be taking an academic redshirt year.

“Demorie’s doing well for us. This year he’s having to take an academic redshirt,” Norvell said on a Zoom call. “Unfortunately he won’t be available for us this season.”

He went on to say that the former blue-chip recruit — the highest rated prospect in the Seminoles 2020 recruiting class — has responded to the adversity well and has continued to put forth a great effort in practice.

From when he signed last November:

The nation’s fifth-ranked cornerback, Tate (6’1, 189) played his prep. ball at Freedom High School in Orlando, FL. He was a sought-after recruit; in addition to FSU, Tate also had offers from Alabama, Florida, Miami, Auburn, Georgia, Tennessee, Pitt, UCF, and FAU.

Tate’s been committed to FSU since June of 2018, but with suitors of that caliber interested, keeping him in the fold is a big win for new coach Mike Norvell and his staff. His recruitment to Florida State was led by Odell Haggins and Harlon Barnett.

A four-star talent, Tate is also ranked the No. 8 player out of Florida and the nation’s No. 50 prospect, overall.