Florida State football gets hot on recruiting trail. What's next? | Kassim
High school recruiting requires patience, a quality most college football fans tend to lack.
That was evident in June, as Florida State football saw rival Florida surge up the recruiting rankings under second-year head coach Billy Napier.
Meanwhile, the Seminoles seemed to have lost "momentum" on the recruiting trail. Their last commit was five-star tight end Landen Thomas two months earlier.
FSU coach Mike Norvell and his staff hosted recruits on official visits throughout June but did not land prospects at the rate fans hoped.
Calling my shot: 4th of July firework predictions for Florida State football this season
Some questioned the staff's ability to "close."
Well, those questions have been answered.
The Seminoles are now one of the hottest teams on the recruiting trail.
They added four recruits to open July, a month Norvell promised would come with plenty of fireworks.
FSU's Class of 2024 was ranked 26th nationally at the end of June, according to 247 Sports Composite Team Rankings.
Two additions on July 1 moved FSU up 10 spots. And following two more additions on July 4, the Seminoles are ranked 13th nationally and second in the ACC.
FSU's 2024 class features 15 commitments (nine four- and five-star commitments) with more on the way in July.
Here's a look at who committed this past week and what's ahead.
New FSU commits
Here's a look at the four new FSU commits since Saturday:
Ricky Knight III, ATH, four-star — Committed on Saturday, picking FSU over Miami. The 6-foot, 168-pounder out of Cardinal Newman High in West Palm Beach, is the No. 402 athlete in the 2024 class, the 30th-ranked athlete and the 57th-ranked prospect in Florida, earning four stars on 247 Sports Composite rankings.
DD Holmes, DE, four-star — Committed to the Seminoles over an offer from Maryland on Saturday. He became the first FSU commit since five-star tight end Landen Thomas in April. Holmes is a four-star recruit and the 274th overall prospect in the class and the 32nd-ranked offensive lineman. Holmes, from Gonzaga High in Washington, D.C., was hosted by Jared Verse during his official visit.
Elijah Moore, WR, four-star — This was the first firework set off Tuesday and was a major win for the Seminoles, as he picked them over Ohio State, which has become WRU. He is ranked as the No. 64 wide receiver and the 432nd-ranked prospect in the 2024 class, coming out of Good Counsel High in Olney, Maryland.
Rydarrius Morgan, S, three-star — Selected the Seminoles on Tuesday over Auburn, Alabama, Cincinnati, Miami and Mississippi State. Morgan is the No. 55 safety and the 564th-ranked prospect in the 2024 class.
It should be noted, FSU was not perfect on the Fourth of July.
Kylan Fox, a four-star tight end, committed to Georgia Tech over FSU, and four-star receiver James Madison choose Missouri over the Seminoles.
Both were seen as FSU leans going into their official visits June 23-25.
What's next for Florida State recruiting
Follow the tea leaves.
Five-star cornerback Charles Lester has been pro-FSU in social media posts. He canceled a visit to Georgia the last week of June.
He has been trending toward becoming a Seminole for a while and there's nothing that has changed the outlook of his recruitment.
Lester is set to announce his decision on July 28, with FSU seen as the heavy favorite.
Another big day for the Seminoles is coming soon.
Three prospects who are seen as FSU-leans are set to announce their commitments on Saturday, July 15, led by Tallahassee's three-star athlete Micahi Danzy (Florida High).
Jonathan Daniels, who is rated as a five-star prospect on On3 recruiting services, named FSU in his top three teams, along with Kentucky and Georgia.
Kevin Levy, a three-star defensive back is also set to announce his commitment, with the Seminoles also looming as the favorite for his services.
Danzy's teammate, three-star safety Ashton Hampton, will also announce his college choice that day. FSU does not seem likely for him, with Clemson and Florida seen as the favorites.
Jalewis Solomon, a four-start athlete, is set to announce his commitment on Aug. 5, with FSU running ahead following an official visit June 23-25. Five-star defensive back KJ Bolden also decides the same day, though Georgia is the favorite for his recruitment.
Two more receivers are set to announce their decisions later in the month, though it's not completely clear where the Seminoles sit for their services.
Zion Ragins, a three-star receiver, announces on July 18. He had an official visit at the same time as Solomon, but with three receivers and two more athletes in the class at the position, it's not clear whether he has a spot.
Jaime Ffrench, a five-star 2025 receiver and teammate of FSU QB commit Tramell Jones, announces his college choice on July 22. Alabama is seen as the early favorite.
The recruiting dead period, which began June 26, ends July 24. That means FSU will likely host recruits on campus again, leading into the ACC Media Day on July 26 and fall training camp the following week.
More: FSU quarterback Jordan Travis talks Manning Academy, Destyn Hill, summer workouts
Florida State 2024 recruiting class
Below are the 15 recruits currently committed to Florida State's 2024 class, along with their ranking on 247Sports Composite.
Quarterback
Four-star Luke Kromenhoek - Benedictine Military School - Savannah, Ga. - No. 8 quarterback, No. 108 overall
Running back
Four-star Kameron Davis - Dougherty High - Albany, Ga. - No. 3 running back, No. 46 overall
Wide receiver
Four-star Tawaski Abrams - Dunbar High - Fort Myers - No. 38 wide receiver, No. 251 overall
Four-star Camdon Frier - Suwannee High - Live Oak - No. 60 wide receiver, No. 406 overall
Four-star Elijah Moore - Good Counsel High - Olney, Md. - No. 64 wide receiver, No. 432 overall
Tight end
Five-star Landen Thomas - Colquitt County - Moultrie, Ga. - No. 1 tight end, No. 28 overall prospect
Athlete
Four-star Lawayne McCoy - Miami Central - Miami - No. 19 athlete, No. 242 overall
Four-star BJ Gibson - Wilcox County - Rochelle, Ga. - No. 27 athlete, No. 376 overall
Three-star Ricky Knight III - Cardinal Newman - West Palm Beach - No. 30 athlete, No. 402 overall
Linebacker
Three-star Jayden Parrish - Atlantic High - Delray Beach - No. 61 linebacker, No. 648 overall
Defensive Line
Four-star DD Holmes - Gonzaga High - Washington, D.C. - No. 32 defensive lineman, No. 274 overall
Three-star Jamorie Flagg - Booker T. Washington - Miami - No. 84 defensive lineman, No. 810 overall
Safety
Three-star CJ Heard - Woodruff Academy - Atlanta - No. 41 safety, No. 436 overall
Three-star Rydarrius Morgan - Central High - Phenix City, Ala. - No. 55 safety, No. 564 overall
Kicker
Three-star Jake Weinberg - American Heritage - Delray Beach - No. 5 kicker, No. 1,610 overall
Reach Ehsan Kassim at ekassim@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter at @Ehsan_Kassim. You can also follow our coverage on Facebook (NoleSports) and Instagram (tlhnolesports).
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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU football: Mike Norvell, Seminoles heating up in recruiting
