FSU football: 5-star makes a strong move to the Noles

FSU football’s coaching staff has done a great job constructing an outstanding recruiting class for the 2024 cycle. The Seminoles have already gotten three commitments on the defensive line from five-star defensive end Armondo Blount, four-star defensive end DD Holmes, and three-star defensive tackle Jamorie Flagg.

Florida State is already expecting three-star defensive tackle target D’Nas White from Jay M. Robinson High School in Concord, North Carolina for an official visit this weekend. However, the Seminoles have a surprise unofficial visitor coming on campus on Friday, December 8th.

According to a report from On3 Director of Recruiting Chad Simmons, Class of 2024 Florida five-star defensive lineman commit LJ McCray from Mainland High School in Daytona Beach, Florida will be taking a visit. This is absolutely monumental with the Early Signing Period beginning on December 20th.

While the Gators struggled this season with a 5-7 record, McCray still elected to commit to the program on October 21st instead of pledging to the Seminoles. Florida State fans thought that they had the momentum rolling when the talented defender officially visited for the weekend of October 7th when the Seminoles took on the Virginia Tech Hokies.

However, McCray ended up committing to the Florida Gators instead. This was a bummer since the Daytona Beach (FL) native was a top priority for the coaching staff on the defensive line. During his senior season, he recorded 80 total tackles (37 tackles for loss), 13 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 2 pass breakups, and an interception.

If the Seminoles find a way to get back in the picture with McCray, they would have two five-star defensive linemen (Armondo Blount is a five-star prospect) in their recruiting class. I believe that it will be difficult to flip the talented prospect from the Gators, but I am glad that the coaching staff is doing their due diligence in attempting to recruit him.

Notre Dame Made A Strong Move With Former Duke Quarterback Riley Leonard

With Notre Dame pushing for a quarterback in the transfer portal, former Duke signal caller Riley Leonard quickly became the name to know for the Irish. It has developed into a pretty deep portal class at the position but from the start, Leonard has been the player they wanted. On Wednesday and Thursday, Leonard visited Notre Dame on an official visit. It would be his first taste of South Bend firsthand, and when catching up with him during the visit, it wasn’t disappointing. “The visit is going amazing,” Leonard told Irish Breakdown. “From the campus to the people, it has been a really great experience. It definitely feels like a place I can be comfortable.

“It’s a place for champions that’s for sure,” Leonard continued. “I trust why the coaches are trying to build. They have a great vision for how to build it.” A big element of this visit was face-to-face conversations with the coaches. They had all made a good first impression but having the personal touch can really make or break a recruitment. That part really checked a box for Leonard. “They are great people, man,” Leonard said. “I’ve had the chance to get to know all the coaches in a very short amount of time. Those relationships are developing and they are just great coaches and people.”

With Leonard being one of the biggest names in the portal, and at a position like quarterback, a program’s pitch can be huge. For Leonard, he didn’t need any of that from Notre Dame. He firmly understands how special the program is. “They didn’t need much of a pitch to me honestly,” he said. “The school, brand, education and football speak for itself.” Now leaving South Bend, there are tentative plans for Leonard to visit both Auburn and Ohio State. With Notre Dame’s impact on him, it will be interesting to see if he ends up making either trip. Regardless if Leonard does, Notre Dame has really separated themselves for the star signal caller. They appear to be firmly in the driver’s seat as it stands.

Leonard was limited to parts of seven games this season while dealing with foot and ankle injuries. When he was fully healthy in 2022, he quickly asserted himself as one of the best dual threat quarterbacks in all of college. While leading the Blue Devils to a 9-4 overall record, the 6-4, 215-pound signal caller would throw for 2,967 yards and 20 touchdowns, while completing 63.8 percent of his passes and throwing just six interceptions. He was also dynamite with his legs that season. Leonard rushed for an additional 699 yards and 13 touchdowns, averaging an impressive 5.6 yards per carry. That type of production earned him Honorable Mention All-ACC honors.