Florida State is losing recruits at about the same pace as it is losing games in 2024 – Winnipeg Free Press

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Coach Mike Norvell spent years slowly rebuilding Florida State and then suddenly turned the Seminoles into a title contender last season.

His long-term plan included adding talented transfers, winning games and putting the program in position to recruit many of the best players in the state. He got back on track in 2023 as the Seminoles went undefeated in the regular season and won the Atlantic Coast Conference championship.

But their current recruiting class is turning out to be as big a fiasco as what’s happened on the field in the last three months. Florida State (1-9), the biggest disappointment in college football this season, lost nearly as many players as it had in 2024.

Norvell’s class was reduced to 11 after offensive lineman Daniel Pierre Louis left for Florida on Tuesday. Pierre Louis made the move after watching the Gators upset LSU on Saturday — almost a week after Norvell fired three assistants, including offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Alex Atkins.

The Seminoles also recently lost four-star quarterback Tramell Jones to Florida. Defensive end Javion Hilson and receivers CJ Wiley and Daylan McCutcheon also got relief from the skidding Seminoles. Their decisions follow the release of defensive coordinator Adam Fuller and receivers coach Ron Dugans.

“It’s hard for the kids, but they also understand everything that’s in store for them,” Norvell said. “And the opportunity here hasn’t changed. The important thing is to be able to share as much as possible with them, just the vision for the future. “We all know the expectation.”

Prospects certainly believed they would be committing to an FSU program expected to appear in the College Football Playoff. Instead, the ‘Noles sit in last place in the Atlantic Coast Conference heading into Saturday’s home game against minor league Charleston Southern (1-9).

And their recruiting class doesn’t currently include a quarterback or a receiver; These positions require someone who will make a difference.

Even though Norvell’s class is built early with commitments from four offensive linemen, there are doubts about how many will remain there after Atkins is gone.

Norvell had at least 17 high school signees in each of his first five classes in Tallahassee. However, approaching this number seems daunting for the early signing period, which has been moved to December 4. The potential lack of quality and quantity in the class could impact the program not just in 2025, but for years to come.

While Norvell said he spent much of the bye week talking to candidates for three recruiting positions, Florida State’s commits and targets may not know who their coordinator will be come signing day.