Report: FSU Commit Sparks Speculation Of Signing Day Flip, Fans React
Florida State commit Charles Lester III is one of the most highly sought after players in the 2024 recruiting cycle. The defensive back is rated by every major service as a four-star prospect and a top-60 recruit.
Playing his high school ball in in the Sunshine State, the Seminoles emerged as an early contender to land the corner, but they’ve been forced to fend off some major competition.
To this point, FSU has done its part against notable adversaries like Miami, Alabama, Georgia, and Colorado, but nothing is final until he signs on the dotted line.
That should come over the weekend as he’s set to hold a ceremony on Saturday to commemorate the moment.
Lester posted about that event on his social media outlets on Tuesday, and fans noticed an interesting tidbit on the announcement.
The defensive back wrote, “Dorm gifts are appreciated,” on that promotion. “Registered on Amazon – Charles Lester.”
On the list, you’ll find items like a television, microwave, and silverware – the necessities for a new college student. Of course, most aren’t landing NIL deals upon arrival to campus.
Fans were quick to point out that offer on social media.
“Are we serious? Registering for signing day gifts? Our generation has failed these kids!”
“It’s not even about ball anymore, it’s about their bag.”
“Is he really BEGGING for attention and ‘dorm gifts’ on top of NIL?”
“An Amazon registry is a first I’ve seen.”
But while any criticized, others read into a deeper meaning.
Will Charles Lester flip on signing day?
A number of followers put on their tin foil hats and read DEEP into that Amazon message. Was Lester hinting at a potential flip from Florida State?
“Easy to figure out,” one fan wrote. “Amazon PRIME – his wish list is all black, no garnet or gold! He’s a Buff.”
“Conspiracy thought here,” another follower agreed. “He has a humidifier on his dorm registry. Why would you need that unless you were going to Colorado?”
Coach Prime has been involved in Lester’s recruitment for some time. In fact, he had many fans nervous about swiping the defender as the Florida State alum did with Travis Hunter.
Will history repeat itself? Time will soon tell.
Should Charles Lester ultimately flip his commitment, Seminole supporters will surely meltdown.
“This is the problem with college football,” this fan commented. “It’s the guys that will troll the heck out of a fanbase just to flip on signing day.”
FSU will hope to hang onto him after a busy recruitment.
Sources: Florida State discussing future in ACC after CFP snub
Florida State has had renewed in-depth discussions about its long-term future in the ACC in recent weeks, sources tell ESPN, talks that were reignited following the Seminoles’ omission from the College Football Playoff earlier this month.
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That snub, which occurred after the Seminoles completed a perfect 12-0 regular-season record before winning the ACC championship game in Charlotte, angered many at the university and among its board of trustees, essentially the last straw after a year spent voicing their displeasure with the ACC.
The situation is expected to come to a head in the near future and formally discussed soon, sources indicated to ESPN. While there has been renewed discussion, no board of trustees meeting has been called.
To be clear, Florida State is not leaving the ACC in the near term, but merely weighing its options — a difficult task that has also come with trepidation among some involved in the talks.
The Seminoles have not been shy about voicing their displeasure with the growing revenue gap ACC schools face compared to SEC and Big Ten schools; the way the ACC distributes revenue; and the size of their share of the television revenue pie, which they believe should be larger based on ratings and marketability.
The shifting collegiate landscape over the past two years have only exacerbated those concerns, as the ACC has fallen further behind the SEC and Big Ten. Florida State is not the only school that has considered its options. Seven schools — Florida State, Clemson, North Carolina, Miami, Virginia Tech, Virginia and NC State had conversations about their long-term futures earlier in the spring.
During a board of trustees meeting in August, Florida State president Richard McCullough made it clear the school would “very seriously” consider leaving the league if things did not change.
Any ACC school that wants to leave the conference would have to challenge the grant of rights to be able to get out to join another league. The grant of rights, which runs through 2036, gives the ACC control over media rights for its member schools — including the broadcast of games in all sports.
In addition, any school that wants to leave the ACC would have to pay an exit fee of three times the league’s operating budget, or roughly $120 million.
