FSU Spring Recruiting Hot Board: Breaking down the Seminoles’ top safety targets

With FSU spring football now in the rear view, it’s a good time to take a closer look at where things stand for the Seminoles in high school recruiting.

The ‘Noles are coming off a top-10 class in the 2024 cycle, and they are already off and running for 2025. Over the next couple of weeks, we will break down FSU’s top targets and commits at each position, and look at where the Seminoles need to make big moves.

We continue today with linebacker, where the Seminoles already have one commitment and are in the running for some elite talent for the Class of 2025.

Previous Hot Boards: QBs and RBs | WRs and TEs | OL | DT | DE | LB |

SAFETY (FSU EXPECTED TO TAKE 2-3)

Four-star DB Gregory Thomas

The Skinny on Thomas & FSU

This has been the No. 1 target for FSU at safety for a while, and most of our staff (Steve Wiltfong, Chad Simmons, Matt LaSerre and I) have put in RPM picks for the Seminoles to land him. I still feel pretty good about that pick despite some official visits coming down the pike for Thomas in the summer. Clemson has long been the biggest competition, and that hasn’t changed based on the intel. Still, FSU gets the last official visit, and I think the relationships and the connection to the FSU staff are going to be the factors that win out.

It doesn’t hurt that Thomas has a lot of ties to FSU, and there’s a strong buy-in to where the ‘Noles are going as a program. But for me, the biggest positive is the development at his position and the culture at FSU. Miami and Auburn are other schools trying to keep themselves in the picture as well. I do think Thomas decides after the June visits despite not giving an exact commitment date as of yet.

Four-star DB Jordan Young

The Skinny on Young & FSU

This feels like a recruitment that is just starting to crank up even though Young has already taken several unofficial visits to places like Alabama, FSU, Tennessee and others. On3 recently quoted Young as saying a “few schools” are standing out in his recruitment, without naming which ones. I would say Clemson, FSU and Alabama are the teams I’ve heard from my contacts.

FSU will get its crack at an official visit on the June 14 weekend, when the Seminoles are expected to have eight to 10 targets on campus. Teams like Texas A&M, Michigan and North Carolina are also trying to get into the picture, I’m told. While there hasn’t been a public leader named, some feel that Alabama could be the team to watch at this stage. But again, based on our intel, we have not heard of a clear leader except the three teams mentioned at the outset. I can tell you that Young is very high on Adam Fuller and Mike Norvell, but we will see if they can carry that momentum through the official visits.

Four-star DB Darrell Johnson (Alabama commit)

The Skinny on Johnson & FSU

Johnson had FSU as the clear favorite for awhile before going on a visit to Alabama, and things seemed to shift pretty strongly toward the Tide and they ended up grabbing a verbal commitment. But the story hasn’t stopped there, as Johnson made another visit to FSU after that pledge and continues to have high praise for the Seminoles. In fact, he has scheduled an official visit to see FSU on June 7, and he likely will attend a game or two this fall.

If Alabama struggles under a new head coach, that could make things interesting. It has been very difficult to flip kids from the Tide, but we’ll have to see if that’s still the case with Nick Saban moving into retirement. Florida is another school still trying to work on Johnson, I’m told.

Four-star DB Hylton Stubbs (USC commit)

The Skinny on Stubbs & FSU

Stubbs’ decision to commit to Southern Cal surprised a lot of people, but he clearly has a great connection with the staff out there and believes in what Lincoln Riley is building. However, after our recent visit to Jacksonville, I would not call it a rock-solid commitment where he’s not going to seriously explore other options. Florida and FSU are the two teams I hear the most surrounding his recruitment if a flip was going to happen. I also would not count out Georgia as well.

When it comes to Stubbs’ final decision, I was told the product on the field will be something he keeps a close eye on this fall. That could be good news for FSU as the Gators have a really tough schedule, and the Trojans are coming off a sub-par year.

Four-star DB Ladarian Clardy

The Skinny on Clurdy & FSU

FSU has made a big move recently with Clardy, who is an in-state prospect that the FSU staff saw in the spring and has liked for quite some time. The ‘Noles offered him in May, and I’m told this is an offer he has waited on for awhile. Clardy has connections with several guys on the FSU team and others that are going to be on the team, including OL Jonathan Daniels.

The competition is very heavy, and Clardy is likely to take official visits to FSU, Georgia, Florida and others. But the general feeling lately is that the Seminoles stand out. In fact, I was told by a few contacts to really follow this one closely now that an FSU offer has been extended. That doesn’t mean the Seminoles are the outright leader, because other schools have been involved. But there definitely is momentum.

Four-star DB Lagonza Hayward

The Skinny on Hayward & FSU

This recruitment feels like a two-team battle right now with FSU and Tennessee leading the way. That’s not to discount other schools he will also likely visit, including Florida and Auburn, the ‘Noles and Vols are the ones I hear the most. As of now, I’d have Tennessee slightly ahead, but I don’t think it’s a slam dunk lead as some have indicated regarding his recruitment.

The ‘Noles were one of the first to get on Hayward, and he has visited FSU multiple times. He also has an official visit set for June, when Florida State will look to make a big move. He has a tight bond with FSU DBs coach Patrick Surtain, and he’s loving the development of the DB room and culture in Tallahassee. But I also hear he sees Tennessee as a program on the rise, and the attraction of playing in the SEC is a factor. This one should be a slugfest in the coming weeks and maybe months.

*ALSO SEE: Additional safety targets to keep an eye on, plus thoughts on FSU safety recruiting.

***Discuss this article with FSU football fans on the Premium Recruiting Board.***

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