Florida State recruiting developments 1/29

Just checking in with a Sunday recruiting update.

Florida State’s visitors are all leaving campus now. From what we’ve been told, the visits went as expected. FSU usually knocks these out of the park.

We still believe FSU is the favorite to sign Austin (Texas) Westlake four-star linebacker Levi Jones. He told multiple sites after his visit that his final three are FSU, USC and Florida (no order). Jones will be the first announcement on ESPN Wednesday morning at 8:30.

Neil Farrell

Mobile (Ala.) Murphy defensive lineman is a player we believe FSU can flip, despite his LSU commitment.

A three-star prospect, Farrell’s senior highlights reminisce of former Seminole Derrick Mitchell based on his length and athleticism. Farrell played DE in a 3-4 defense, and shows decent burst off the edge and, at 6’4, projects nicely.

Further complicating things here are that LSU coach Dameyune Craig, may be heading to Tuscaloosa, if you believe Twitter and message boards.

FSU fans know, or should know from his time in Tallahassee, what an awesome recruiter Craig is. Specifically in the Mobile (Ala.) area. Craig is one of Farrell’s recruiters. If he does leave for Alabama, that would only weaken the relationship between he and the Tigers.

Henry Ruggs

The reason Alabama needs to hire a new coach is that its current receivers coach Billy Napier is leaving to become the new offensive coordinator at Arizona State.

This could have significant recruiting ramifications for Alabama, but also for Florida State, who is recruiting against the Tide for two top receiver prospects in Henry Ruggs, and Devonta Smith. While Napier was not the lead recruiter for either prospect, he was certainly involved, and FSU will take any advantage it can get.

Our FSU sources have believed they were much more in the race for Ruggs, specifically, than some of the national recruiting media believes. And his future position coaching leaving can only help FSU’s spot. While Alabama might still be the favorite, it is very interesting that Sunday Alabama extended an offer to Ruggs’ younger brother Kevontae’, a linebacker in the 2018 class. This is his first offer.

It is entirely possible that Alabama likes the younger brother enough to give him a scholarship offer. Alabama has an enormous scouting staff, and is often the first to offer young players.

It’s also possible that it is a sign that the Tide feel a bit of weakness with their position for the No. 1 receiver left on their board. Whether FSU offers remains to be seen.

The younger Ruggs claims 60 solo tackles, 32 assisted tackles, six tackles for loss and two interceptions.

Marvin Wilson

Our Bud Elliott asked a source familiar with the 5-star’s recruitment if he should change his crystal ball pick of FSU, which was made back in June. That source said no. This does not mean that Wilson will sign with FSU, but it’s encouraging for FSU fans.

Wilson’s final in-home visit was with LSU.

Ontaria Wilson

After a review of his film, 247Sports rated FSU DB commit Ontaria Wilson, of Turner County (Ga.) a three-star. He was previously unrated.

B.J. Thompson

A lot of crystal balls have poured in for Baylor for the talented 6’7 athlete out of England (Ar). There was speculation that he would be a greyshirt candidate for FSU (sign now, enroll next spring), and that Baylor has a full spot for him now. But we do not know the situation there. We’ll try to find out more soon. He is announcing at 3:30 ET, which might be a good sign for FSU if this is a situation where a player wants to wait and see if a spot opens up.

Etc.

• As previously mentioned, four-star safety Maleik Gray (Tennessee commit) did not make his visit.
• We do not believe FSU has gone on an in-home with DE Jarez Parks.
• WR Devonta Smith did not make his official visit to Miami.
• Florida moved up into the top 25 of the recruiting rankings. Finally.
• FSU 2018 DT commit Robert Cooper, who is freakishly strong, got an offer at Alabama’s junior day. So did FSU OL commit Christian Meadows.