Florida State ‘stock raised’ with 4-star DL, 3-star TE after midweek visits

KJ Bolden might have grabbed the biggest headlines, but Florida State had additional top-tier talent on campus this week.

Four-star Washington, D.C., product DD Holmes, who is one nation’s top 20 defensive linemen according to On3, made the trip to Tallahassee for the first time for a two-day visit on Tuesday and Wednesday.

And it was clear that the Seminoles’ staff made a good impression.

“It was good. It was good to come in and see practice. The competition and the standard the coach holds every player to … it was competitive. I love competitiveness,” Holmes told Warchant. “It was a great experience overall, had a great time.”

Florida State defensive ends coach John Papuchis spent a great deal of time with Holmes during the visit, and it sounds as if they already have formed a strong relationship.

“The main focus was how transparent they are and what I experience here [on] the visit is what I’m going to get when I come in …,” Holmes said. “I feel like he is energetic. He holds all his players accountable, and that’s a big part of who they are.”

Holmes is listed as the No. 3 overall prospect in D.C. and the No. 16 defensive lineman in the country. The Gonzaga High standout listed as 6-foot-6 and 240 pounds.

“After these past few days, they definitely raised their stock in my eyes …,” Holmes said. “It’s been quite an experience.”

The only other school Holmes mentioned visiting this spring was Rutgers. According to On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine, Penn State, Maryland, Rutgers and Pitt are his main schools, with Penn State being the perceived leader.

Former Alabama commit enjoys Florida State visit

Another big prospect on Florida State’s campus this week was three-star tight end Martavious Collins, a former Alabama commit.

Just like Holmes, this was Collins’ first time in Tallahassee.

“They’ve been recruiting me since last year,” he said. “They’ve been trying to get me up here for almost a year.”

With Florida State tight ends coach Chris Thomsen leading the charge, the Seminoles made sure the trip was worth the wait for the 6-3, 240-pound tight end.

“It went pretty good. I went on a tour of campus and everything,” Collins said. “Seeing the facility, it was nice. It was very nice. … I liked the campus and stuff. I definitely like the design of it — all like the bricks and stuff — it was beautiful.”

Recruiting evaluations of Collins are all over the map, with On3 listing him as the No. 39 tight end in the country, while ESPN has him all the way up at No. 5.

What isn’t up for debate is the fact that Collins feels as if he and Thomsen are developing a good bond.

“We’ve been touching base since last year. We’ve been getting to know each other and talk to each other,” Collins said. “He told me instead of him having to show me on film, he wanted me to see in person what kind of offense I can be in if I’m here.”

Collins decomitted from Alabama in February, which is what opened up the opportunity for him to come visit Florida State.

After wrapping up this trip, the Rome, Ga., product said he plans to take an official visit to Florida State, but he does not yet have a date set. The only other school he mentioned taking an official visit to was Auburn.

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