With new recruiting calendar, Mike Norvell expecting up to 45 official visits this summer

TAMPA — While it might be quiet on the field, Florida State football recruiting is about to surge when official visits start next week in Tallahassee.

From May 31 through June 23, the Seminoles are expecting to host as many as 45 targets for official visits. And with the early signing period moving up to Dec. 4-6 this year, FSU coach Mike Norvell said the summer visits will be more important than ever.

“Huge — especially with signing day moving up a few weeks,” Norvell said Sunday before speaking to a sell-out crowd of Seminole Boosters in Tampa. “We will [still] have some fall official visits during the season this year. But we will have a good number of guys [in the summer] — probably going anywhere between 30 to 45 official visits.”

Those officials are expected to feature some of the best talent in the country, including five-star offensive linemen Josh Petty and Ty Haywood.

“I’m excited about the guys we have coming in,” Norvell said. “I’m excited about where we are in the process. You know, it’s about being right. And that’s where we go through and … we’re continuing to showcase the vision and the plan that we have for these young men. It’s still about finding that best fit.”

The early signing period created some challenges this past December because it was taking place at the same time as the transfer portal window was open. While moving the date up will eliminate the chance for some prospects to take official visits in December, Norvell likes the move overall.

“It does put a bigger emphasis in the summer time,” Norvell said. “But also, you still have your in-season official visits, which I think some kids really like — to see the atmosphere and see the [game-day] experience.”

There has been discussion about creating a summer signing period so that prospects can wrap up their recruitment and focus on their senior seasons of high school. But Florida State’s head coach doesn’t believe that is necessary.

“I’m not as big on the June signing date,” he said. “I think there’s just a lot of different dynamics that can tie into that. But we’ll see where it goes. I actually do like what was done because you give the teams, you give the high school players, by having a signing day before the portal season opens … you could try to fill needs through the high school ranks of what you desire. And then obviously if there’s some change in your own roster, you could work to replace that when the portal opens. And so I do like that approach.”

Another reason Norvell likes the signing period in December is because it gives a chance for colleges to evaluate players who develop late in their college careers. It also provides an incentive for players to keep improving.

“I think that the importance of that senior year is big,” he said.

Talk about this story with other die-hard Florida State football fans on the Tribal Council.

The post With new recruiting calendar, Mike Norvell expecting up to 45 official visits this summer appeared first on On3.