With less than a week until the Early Signing Period gets underway, Florida State is down to its final couple of targets in a highly-regarded 2024 class. The Seminoles are hosting a plethora of recruits throughout December as the coaching staff looks for a strong conclusion to the cycle.

Last weekend, three-star defensive tackle D’Nas White and his family were in Tallahassee for his official visit. The Seminoles were able to make the last impression in his recruitment with White participating in the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas this week.

On Wednesday night, White announced that he was trimming his recruitment down to three schools as he prepares to sign with a program on December 20 at 6:00 p.m. at his high school. He’ll be focused on Florida State, Miami, and Tennessee over the next couple of days leading up to a signing ceremony.

The North Carolina native was able to spend a lot of time around defensive tackles coach Odell Haggins during his official visit. They’ve developed a solid relationship throughout his recruitment.

“It was awesome,” White said to NoleGameday previously. “He’s real genuine, he’s a great person, a great coach, and he’s amazing.”

The Seminoles have been pursuing White for quite some time and have brought him in for three visits this year. Florida State sits in a good position moving into his announcement.

“I just like the atmosphere and the fans,” White said. “I have a good relationship with the coaches and they’re real loyal.”

During his senior season, White recorded 45 tackles, nine tackles for loss, six sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and two pass deflections. His last visit to a program outside of Florida State was to Tennessee in April. The Hurricanes offered him in January but he hasn’t been to Coral Gables.

The 6-foot-4, 327-pound defensive lineman is regarded as the No. 683 overall prospect, the No. 74 DL, and the No. 22 recruit in the state of North Carolina in the 2024 class according to 247Sports.

FSU Defensive Tackle Vying For Seventh Year Of Eligibility To Return In 2024

Florida State’s interior defensive line is projected to take a hit this offseason with Braden Fiske and Fabien Lovett moving onto the NFL.

With that being said, it’s possible that the Seminoles may get one of their most experienced players back for another season. According to a source close to the program, redshirt senior defensive tackle Dennis Briggs is exploring the possibility of attaining a waiver for a seventh season of eligibility to suit up in Tallahassee in 2024. The news was first reported by Noles247 on Monday evening.

Briggs has developed into an integral piece of Florida State’s defensive front throughout his tenure with the program. He started off his career at defensive end before moving inside due to mounting injuries. Briggs was eventually flexed outside yet again before settling in at defensive tackle this past season.

The Florida native will be seeking a medical hardship waiver for the 2021 season. He played in the first four games of the year before suffering a season-ending injury in a loss to Louisville. Players around college football are able to retain their eligibility if they appear in four or fewer contests so Briggs has a case. He was honored on Senior Day in the event that his waiver isn’t granted.

The Seminoles have dealt with this process before after redshirt senior offensive lineman D’Mitri Emmanuel was approved to play a seventh season back in the spring. Emmanuel was forced to watch part of spring practice from the sideline and even participated in FSU’s Pro Day while dealing with uncertainty surrounding his future.

Briggs has appeared in nine games during the 2023 season while battling injuries, totaling 13 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and two quarterback hurries. He’ll have a chance to add to that total during the Orange Bowl against Georgia.

His most productive year came in 2019 while playing under interim head coach Odell Haggins. Briggs recorded 28 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, one sack, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, two quarterback hurries, and one pass breakup during that campaign. He totaled a career-high six tackles in a win at Boston College.

During his first six years in Tallahassee, Briggs has totaled 77 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and four pass deflections in 48 appearances, with ten starts.

It would be massive for the Seminoles if Briggs is able to return next season. Florida State’s interior defensive line is starting to look pretty thin after redshirt junior Malcolm Ray and redshirt freshman Ayobami Tifase. Outside of Briggs, the team is only projected to return four other scholarship defensive tackles in 2024; junior Darrell Jackson, redshirt sophomore Joshua Farmer, redshirt freshman Daniel Lyons, and true freshman KJ Sampson.

FSU will also be adding three-star Jamorie Flagg and potentially one other prospect in its high school recruiting class. The coaching staff will likely kick the tires on experienced options in the portal to bring in someone to play alongside Briggs, Jackson, Farmer, and Lyons.