Latest on Top FSU Recruiting Targets, as decisions loom in coming weeks

After picking up nine commitments this summer, Florida State has one of the nation’s top 10 recruiting classes for the 2025 cycle. And the Seminoles aren’t done yet, as several other high-profile recruits have FSU among their list of finalists.

If Florida State finishes strong, the ‘Noles could make a push into the top five of the national rankings. Can they finish it off? That’s the big question facing Mike Norvell and his staff, and with that in mind, it’s time to take a look at where things stand with each of these top prospects.

Four-star RB Byron Louis & Four-star RB Ousmane Kromah

Let’s start with the two major targets at running back. Florida State doesn’t have a commitment in the 2025 class at running back as of yet, and as I’ve said many times over the spring and summer, both of these athletes are highly coveted by the FSU staff.

With Louis, he’s coming off a visit to Miami, and I have heard the visit went pretty well. And that only confirms my view that Miami remains the major threat to FSU in this recruitment. With that said, I still like my RPM pick for FSU in this one and feel good about the ‘Noles’ chances. There’s a really strong connection to Florida State RBs coach David Johnson, and Louis likes what he and Norvell do with their backs. Most experts have said they expect Louis to make a decision in September, but it would not be a surprise if both Kromah and Louis decide in late-August.

Then with Kromah, this feels more like an FSU-Georgia battle, as I’ve said since the spring. He visited Florida State last Friday and then Auburn on Saturday, and the Tigers are the other legit factor in this recruitment. They also don’t have a back in this class and continue to push hard. But the intel from those around Kromah indicate that FSU still is the team with the momentum. I believe Kromah will go into decision-mode soon.

Five-star OL Josh Petty

This one has gotten more interesting than most thought it would be early in the spring, when it felt like it might be a slam dunk for Florida State with Petty’s sister enrolling at FSU and given the strong relationship with OL coach Alex Atkins. However, Georgia Tech has made a furious rally in this recruitment and remains a very strong threat.

Petty visited Georgia Tech this past Saturday and then FSU on Sunday. While I feel the Jackets are rising up at a rapid pace in this recruitment, I still would give Florida State the nod. Along with Georgia Tech, there has been some buzz around Ohio State and Stanford as well, and I still consider them threats. But I just haven’t heard enough to push me off of FSU at this stage.

I don’t believe Petty has told any schools of his decision, and I expect the family to sit down and make a decision here in the next few weeks.

Four-star DB Onis Konanbanny & Four-star DB Bryce Fitzgerald

I continue to feel that these two are the most realistic defensive back targets for FSU at this stage, and I believe the ‘Noles want two more in this class.

With Konanbanny, I think this one is very tight, and I could not make a definitive pick today between Tennessee and FSU. Might lean slightly toward the Vols right now since he just visited there, but I’m told he has communicated often with FSU, including after the visit to Knoxville. There is a very strong bond here between Konanbanny and Seminoles DBs coach Patrick Surtain. A decision is expected in August, and I think it could still go either way.

The Fitzgerald recruitment is a little more complex as I feel FSU, Miami and Florida should all like their positions. Miami has been the latest to get him on campus, and that visit went very well. But sources around the recruitment continue to mention Florida State and UF more. I don’t have a final call here, but I’d probably give a slight edge to the Gators since they have been in it so long. I do think this recruitment is going to be very competitive leading up to that August decision.

**Final notes on other targets and flip candidates to watch**

I still believe that four-star DE Jared Smith ends up at Auburn. I also said last week I felt that four-star DB Ladarian Clardy is not expected to pick FSU. I continue to feel that way. I lean more toward Ole Miss here, but I would not sleep on Washington. He visited the Huskies again over the weekend. The fact that he didn’t see FSU yet makes me believe the ‘Noles are waving the white flag here.

I still very much believe that four-star OL Max Buchanan , LB Tavion Wallace and LB TJ Alford will be major flip candidates to watch for FSU. I don’t believe any of these recruitments are done.

Some have asked about three-star OL Sean Poret , who is committed to South Florida. He was at the recent Seminole Showcase event, and I do believe if there was a push that FSU would be pretty high on his list. But I don’t expect that to happen at this point. I would label him as being in a similar position as new FSU offer Daniel Pierre-Louis .

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