Florida State hosting loaded group of recruits in final weekend before early signing period

With the new Early Signing Period taking place December 20-22, this is the final weekend for Florida State to host recruits before many will elect to sign early. For a new coach like Willie Taggart, it is a crucial weekend.

And as one might expect, given its tradition, facilities, etc., FSU has done a good job getting kids on campus. Here is a list of who is either on campus, or expected, along with a brief sentence on each.

QB Michael Penix: The Tampa Bay Tech QB recently parted ways with Tennessee. It is not clear if he is a take, but he could certainly become one depending on other QB recruit developments.

QB Emory Jones: FSU was hoping to get the Ohio State commit on a visit to Tallahassee, but he was in Gainesville Friday. Update: Sources expect Jones to be in Tallahassee on Saturday following the conclusion of his UF visit.

RB James Cook: Dalvin Cook’s little brother is committed to UGA, but the Miami Central HS star certainly has plenty of connections in Tallahassee.

WR Warren Thompson: The former Oregon commit from Seffner (Fla.) Armwood HS is widely expected to become a Nole.

WR Antoine Green: The Rockledge star has been quite positive despite his decommitment from FSU. I expect him to rejoin the class.

OL Christian Armstrong (commit): Armstrong was visited quickly by Taggart and Co. after the hire was announced, and he’s on campus helping to recruit others.

DE Malcolm Lamar: I expect the Oregon commitment from Armwood (teammate of Warren Thompson) to flip to Florida State. FSU needs big defensive ends and Lamar fits the bill.

DT Robert Cooper (commit): Cooper is one of the best defensive tackles in the nation and re-affirmed his FSU pledge after a visit from the staff.

LB Amari Gainer (commit): The leader of #Tribe18, Gainer has been instrumental on getting kids to reconsider FSU following the coaching change. The local product will be helping FSU recruit this weekend.

DB Asante Samuel Jr. (commit): Despite flirtations with Miami, FSU is feeling good about keeping Samuel, especially since it got him to visit this weekend.

DB Isaiah Bolden: The Tampa-area star was once committed to FSU, flipped to Oregon when Taggart was the Duck’s coach, decommitted, and is now expected in the FSU class.

DB Brendan Radley-Hiles: One of the best cornerback recruits in the nation, the IMG product by way of California elected to visit FSU instead of the Gators on this final weekend.

DB Jaiden Woodbey: The California star is expected in Saturday, but on Friday was visiting USC. He is committed to Ohio State, but few expect him to end up a Buckeye.

Elsewhere

DL Jarrett Jackson: The Louisville commitment was expected on a visit, but he’s now a “no.”

DB Nadab Joseph: FSU would like to get Joseph on campus, but as of yet he has not confirmed.