Florida State looks to join Georgia, Maryland, in adding 2024 recruits from Palm Beach County

Buckle up, Palm Beach County. If June's been any indication of the road ahead, we're going to come across every twist, turn and pothole — or plothole — a summer of recruiting in South Florida has to offer.

National recruiting service On3 wreaked social media havoc surrounding former Pahokee star Austin Simmons ahead of a flip from Florida to Ole Miss. The fiery ashes of another blue-chip Gator QB commit lost turned thousands of heads, burying a number of notable local recruiting headlines at the bottom of the wreckage.

The smoke has cleared, but the heat remains in Palm Beach County as football stock risers from around the area announce where they'll take their talents to the next level. Get in the know below!

Local Recruiting: How Austin Simmons reclassified to join Lane Kiffin, Ole Miss 2 years early

WATCH: Cardinal Newman 3-star athlete Kevin Levy reflects on visit to Florida State

Announcements to watch for ...

Ricky Knight III to drop college decision today

Simmons wasn't the only four-star stunning social media of late. Look no further than Ricky Knight III, who excited Seminole Twitter with a visit to Florida State the weekend of June 16 and returned to Palm Beach County to announce his transfer from Benjamin to Class 1M rival Cardinal Newman.

He made waves again on June 26, dropping that he'd be releasing his commitment on Saturday, July 1. The event will be live-streamed on YouTube at 4 p.m.

Now ranked No. 78 in the country, the 6-foot, 168-pound Athlete (ATH) rose on the radar thanks to a summer growth spurt and his healthiest season to date. An electric performance at the national combine in January made Knight an undeniable college roster pick, prompting Knight's first offer from — you guessed it — Florida State.

Knight's time spent in Tallahassee over the past few months, including three unofficial visits, signals a big win ahead for head coach Mike Norvell. June also featured appearances at Penn State, Illinois and Miami, where he took two unofficial visits before an official the weekend of the 23rd.

Should Knight choose the 'Noles, he'll be the third Palm Beach County athlete to join FSU's No. 25-ranked 2024 recruiting class after American Heritage-Delray kicker Jake Weinberg, who committed in January, and three-star Atlantic linebacker Jayden Parrish, who committed in March.

By the numbers (2022 season): On defense, posted 33 total tackles — 27 solo — and one interception for 27 yards through nine games. Offensively, caught four passes for 92 yards playing behind four-star Wake Forest wideout Micah Mays and three-star Temple recruit Darrell Sweeting.

Where did 2024 recruits commit in June?

Heritage-Delray TE/DE J.T. Taggart to join Terps

The next chapter is set to begin at Maryland for the son of former Florida Atlantic football coach Willie Taggart.

All it takes is a look at the junior's 6-7, 225-pound frame — and last name — to understand why the mailbox is full at the Taggart household. Although his time has been limited on the field, appearing in only five games since freshman year, J.T. Taggart's taken every opportunity to show off his athleticism and strength on the basketball court.

Impressing from the varsity courts to summer circuits, the dual-sport athlete's work translated into football offers from Bethune-Cookman, Vanderbilt, Minnesota, Colorado, Pitt, Western Kentucky, Indiana and Purdue since March.

When Taggart arrives in College Park (barring a flip), he'll share the locker room with former Glades Central star offensive tackle Ja'Kavian Nonar.

By the numbers: In three games, he caught 10 passes for 108 yards. On defense, tallied nine tackles and one sack.

Atlantic standout Da'Marion Alberic hops on trail to UMass

A breakout year for Atlantic running back and wide receiver Da'Marion Alberic only got bigger in June.

The month started with winning the Courage Award at the Palm Beach County High School Sports Awards. Up next was a flashy 7-on-7 appearance at Florida Atlantic ahead of the three-star's first official visit to Massachusetts, the new home of former Palm Beach Central quarterback Ahmad Haston.

On June 19 — one day after his Amherst trip came to an end — Alberic proceeded to announce his commitment on Twitter.

They're the Minutemen for a reason.

By the numbers: Only player on Atlantic's roster to exceed 1,000 all-purpose yards, rushing for 854 and receiving for 111 — plus seven touchdowns — through 10 games. Averaged 9.5 yards per carry and ran for over 100 yards against Pahokee, Seminole Ridge, Dwyer, Glades Central and Santaluces.

Palm Beach Gardens safety Caleb Chamberlin all in on Air Force

The Post was high on Caleb Chamberlin after a breakout sophomore year, which earned a spot in last season's inaugural Next 11 class of prime underclassmen prospects.

Nicknamed "Chainsaw Chambo," the unrated defender kicked his high motor into a new gear to help Palm Beach Gardens go 9-4 before meeting Class 4M final four Palm Beach Central in the region finals.

Chamberlin received his first Division I offer from UNC-Charlotte in January, also nabbing Stetson before Air Force locked him in with "an outstanding visit" the weekend of June 9. He's the latest Gator to commit after three-star 2024 defensive back recruit Michael Wright III shared in April that he'll be "staying home," planning to play at Florida Atlantic.

By the numbers: Recorded 56 tackles three pass breakups and two caused fumbles through 11 games. Career totals include 172 tackles — 82 solo with 55 in 2022 — 19 PBUs, three interceptions and three forced fumbles.

Benjamin RB Chauncey Bowens flips from Florida

Recruitment is entirely shut down for former Florida commit Chauncey Bowens, the 18th member of Georgia's top-ranked 2024 recruiting class.

The four-star announced his flip from the Gators after an official visit to Athens the weekend of June 9. Months earlier, Kirby Smart stopped through Palm Beach Gardens with a viral helicopter landing at Benjamin in pursuit of Bowens and a stacked roster of Bucs, including 2025 prospect Amaree Williams, set to "be back" at Georgia on July 29.

Bowens' September commitment to Florida and stellar 2022 season saw offseason offers from Cincinnati, Alabama, Louisville, Arkansas, Auburn, Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Penn State and Ohio State.

Before deciding to call Sanford Stadium home, Bowens took unofficial visits to Tennessee and Miami with a final appearance in Gainesville on April 13.

By the numbers: Averaged 94 yards per game with 130 carries for 940 yards and eight touchdowns in 10 appearances, highlighted by a career-best 190 yards in the regular-season finale against King's Academy. In 2021, Bowens rushed for 1,193 yards and 12 touchdowns, leading Benjamin to the region finals against Lakeland Christian.

Emilee Smarr is the high school sports reporter for The Palm Beach Post. She can be reached via email at esmarr@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Where did Palm Beach County's 2024 recruits commit in June? Who's next?