FSU battling pair of SEC foes for 4-star DB Ladarian Clardy as decision nears

Taking official visits is supposed to bring clarity to the recruiting process. For four-star Pensacola defensive back Ladarian Clardy, it seems like his trips to Florida State, Ole Miss and Mississippi State might have only made things more complex.

“It’s crazy, man,” Clardy told Warchant. “I thought it would be crazy, but as I narrowed it down it’s been pretty crazy. I just want to make the right decision for me and my family. I’m just hoping God can give me a sign, because I don’t know yet.”

Even though he has already taken those official visits, Clardy is thinking about taking a few more trips when in-person recruiting opens back up toward the end of July.

“Actually there are a couple of schools [asking] to come over for a pool party or spend time with the coaches,” the four-star DB said. “I haven’t made a decision on visits, but do feel I’ll be going on a visit or visits on July 26th.”

Is Florida State a school he wants to get back to?

“Oh, most definitely,” Clardy said. “I talk with Coach [Patrick] Surtain and Coach [Mike] Norvell every other day. They made it clear they want me and want me to get over there again. I’m going to most definitely visit. I talked with Coach Surtain and Coach Norvell two days ago.

“Really the conversations with them was to let me know I’m the top guy on their board and that they can develop me on and off the field and get me to the next level. And that’s my goal as a player. With Coach Surtain, he’s one of the best to ever do it at the next level, and there are a lot of coaches that say that, but I would say he’s the best in the country.”

Clardy made it clear that he sees Surtain as more than just a great position coach.

“Me and Coach Pat have that kind of uncle-nephew type bond,” the defensive back said. “He’s always kept it real with me from the start. He tells me what I need to work on. Ever since I met him, he’s been very direct about anything.”

The fact that Florida State has other players from the Pensacola area, such as Ja’Bril Rawls, Jonathan Daniels and Darius Washington, doesn’t hurt either.

“It’s a brotherhood, family,” Clardy said. “When I went there on the official visit, I got to really see how they connected with each other. You want to be with guys that are like that and want to get to the next level and get better. With that vibe, I don’t think you have any choice but to be successful. Then being around the rest of the coaches, like Coach [Adam] Fuller and then with Coach Norvell, I’ve had a bond with him since elementary school. I know it’s always real with him.

“It means a lot to know guys personally. You are always going to be around a couple of guys you like. With Ja’Bril, I grew up with him, so it hits differently when you are around a guy you grew up with. He’s like my cousin. With Darius, I look up to him and he’s like a big brother to me because he’s always looked out for me.”

Clardy said he also has a good bond with Keiwan Ratliff, Florida State’s director of player relations.

“He’s really cool too, and I feel like the entire coaching staff are real guys,” the Pensacola standout said. “And the players there would even tell me that when I asked about the coaches.”

The four-star DB says he has not set a date for his decision but knows it will be before his final high school season starts.

Clardy also has visited UCF and Washington, but he said other schools are standing out.

“To be honest, I’m like everywhere right now,” he said of his favorites. “I’m just so confused. There are a couple of schools, like Florida State and Ole Miss, I’m very high on them. I have eyes on Mississippi State. But those two schools are up there.

“It goes back and forth. It’s crazy.”

Clardy is rated the No. 16 safety in the nation, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, and the No. 175 prospect overall. The On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine has FSU as the current favorite in this recruitment with a 72.1 percent chance of landing Clardy, followed by Ole Miss at 23.8 percent.

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