Ten targets to watch for Florida State Football’s 2024 recruiting class

The busy month of June is in the books, and now it’s time to see how successful the Florida State football staff was with its extensive recruiting efforts.

Several of the Seminoles’ top targets are expected to announce their college decisions in the coming days and weeks, while some others will wait until this fall.

To give you a better picture of who FSU is focused on in terms of top targets and where the Seminoles stand in their recruitment, here’s our latest Ten Targets to Watch for the 2024 class.

Ten targets to watch for FSU

Four-star RB Micahi Danzy of Tallahassee

The Skinny on Danzy & FSU

This recruitment should be very clear when it comes to where the Seminoles stand. Danzy is a local standout that FSU has recruited the hardest. He has taken visits to different schools like Florida and Miami, but the ‘Noles have been the clear favorite. In my view and intel following last weekend’s official visit to Florida State, this is one where I believe you could see some good news during the month of July. The ‘Noles are sitting in a very good spot and Danzy would finish off the 2024 running back class.

Five-star WR Jojo Trader of South Florida

The Skinny on Trader & FSU

While I do believe Ohio State is also a solid player in this recruitment, the intel still suggest that this is going to come down to in-state schools Florida State and Miami. I currently lean towards Florida State in this race so far. I think the ‘Noles have made Trader a priority, and I think it was also a very big deal that he took a multiple-day visit to FSU this past summer. I don’t believe he’s close to a decision, though, at this stage. I think that happens during the season when he starts taking official visits.

Trader is a dynamic weapon who would greatly bolster what is already turning into a special wide receiver room for Ron Dugans and Mike Norvell. I also believe that if this season goes well for FSU, it could give the ‘Noles a nice jolt in their chances. Now there have been some ups and downs when it comes to Trader favoring different teams, but I do believe the connection and relationship with FSU has been a big plus for the Seminoles in making their move this spring and summer.

Four-star WR Elijah Moore of Maryland

The Skinny on Moore & FSU

Every now and again, you will get a surprise move by Florida State for a recruit that visits either in the spring or summer. This year, that prospect was Moore. Most had him pegged for Ohio State, but behind the scenes in this recruitment, the ‘Noles were confident about how they had positioned themselves for Moore going into his official visit last weekend.

The ‘Noles then nailed it with the official visit. A lot of the big surge was based on how Moore connected with the team on the official visit, and also the fit with FSU compared to the other schools in the mix. Moore is expected to make his college choice on July 4, and going into that announcement, I feel FSU is in a very good spot to get some positive news and fireworks on that day.

Five-star OL Jonathan Daniels of Pensacola

The Skinny on Daniels & FSU

This is one where I’ve felt FSU has had the lead from the start, and it was more about the staff making Daniels a priority and also staying consistent with their message. During his official visit last weekend, FSU did just that. The Seminoles focused on what they do with development and the relationships, and that has always been a big deal to the five-star lineman.

Daniels announced his top four on Wednesday, and I expect you will hear a decision coming from him in early July. The most likely date I’ve heard is July 4, and this is another one where I feel the Seminoles will get some good news. Georgia, Miami and others have certainly tried to alter the momentum in getting him on campus, but the connection to FSU has been unique and never wavered. OL coach Alex Atkins plays a strong role here, not just as a teacher but as someone Daniels trusts a lot.

Three-star OL Tye Hylton of Oviedo, Fla.

The Skinny on Hylton & FSU

This is probably the most interesting prospect on this list. I say that because he wasn’t originally going to be here, but after Jason Zandamela’s surprise commitment to USC, that changed things. I’ve said for several months that FSU does like Hylton, but the fact that he can play center or tackle elevates him following the Zandamela decision.

I do think this recruitment is much closer than many feel with the Florida Gators. However, because of how the push has changed from FSU, I think the Seminoles are very focused on this one. I believe a decision likely comes before his season starts, perhaps in mid-July. I would give the ‘Noles the edge over the Gators right now

Four-star DE LJ McCray of Daytona Beach

The Skinny on McCray & FSU

This is yet another Florida-Florida State recruiting battle. The Gators were able to make up some ground in this recruitment with a few visits to Gainesville this spring and summer, which included an official visit. I think this one is quite close, although I also believe that FSU has done the best job with the relationships in this race. Georgia also is getting into the mix here as the Bulldogs hosted McCray and have made a solid surge in this recruitment. So while I feel he stays in-state, UGA is in the picture now too.

McCray is slated to take his official visit to FSU in October. I’m told that could be altered to sometime this summer, however, as McCray could want to get a decision wrapped up before his season starts. For now though, the official visit is still locked in for Oct 7. That final official visit could be key in this recruitment.

Four-star DE DD Holmes of Washington, D.C.

The Skinny on Holmes & FSU

This is another recruitment where I feel the ‘Noles have shifted the momentum during the spring and summer. It all started when Holmes made a visit to FSU in the spring for a two-day trip with his mother. That’s a key note that his mother has gone on both visits to Tallahassee. I feel the second visit, which was the official visit last weekend, had the biggest effect.

A big reason for that shift was having Holmes around the FSU players. His host was Jared Verse, who really made an impact, and the Seminoles showed him the different ways defensive ends are developed and gave a more personal side to the recruitment. Rutgers and South Carolina are the other teams I hear in this recruitment, along with Penn State some. But the Seminoles have momentum, and he has hinted a decision could come as soon as today.

I think if that were to happen, that’s even more good news for FSU. And the Seminoles greatly need to some quality defensive linemen in this class.

Four-star LB Michael Boganowski of Kansas

The Skinny on Boganowski & FSU

It was first labeled as an official visit, but his mid-June trip to Tallahassee was actually a multiple-day unofficial visit. And after that visit, Boganowski said FSU is now “In a good spot” for him. I still believe it’s a pretty wide-open recruitment, but it’s beginning to feel like an FSU-Kansas State battle.

The four-star linebacker has indicated that a July decision could happen, but he hasn’t set a date yet. I do think this is a recruitment that only benefits FSU the longer it goes, because the Seminoles then could lock in an official visit. More teams are trying to enter the picture, though, so that might cloud things a little more. However, this feels like a legit target for the ‘Noles at a position where there aren’t a lot of top options at this stage.

Five-star DB Charles Lester of Venice, Fla.

The Skinny on Lester & FSU

This one has been trending for FSU since last year, and I haven’t heard anything to change my mind from my RPM pick of Florida State for Lester. He’s been the most coveted prospect for the Seminoles since the 2024 cycle began, and all signs point to FSU getting some good news when Lester officially announces his college choice on July 29.

Georgia and Alabama have been involved, but I’ve stayed consistent in saying that I feel Colorado is the biggest threat in the race because of the impact Deion Sanders has on defensive back recruits. That can’t be ignored. However, I like where this one sits for FSU barring something very surprising.

Four-star DB Jalewis Solomon of Georgia

The Skinny on Solomon & FSU

This four-star talent likely doesn’t get enough love for what he would bring to a team in terms of his versatility. FSU loves him at the defensive back position, and I say that in a broad way because he’s the type that can play either safety or corner. Sounds like FSU likes him the most as a corner, but I could easily see him ending up as a safety because of his physical play.

South Carolina, Auburn and a little with Kentucky have been the main threats. Although I would say the Gamecocks have been the biggest threat. They even had the lead after an official visit there. Auburn is also lingering, and Solomon said he might visit there unofficially. He also has stated that FSU is the clear No. 1, and I also like the Seminoles’ position a great deal at this stage. I think a decision this summer, which is possible, benefits FSU the most.

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