Grad-transfer OL and four-star OL are planning official visits to Florida State
The next couple of weeks are critical as Florida State tries to lock down its 2023 class. The coaching staff will start the case from the field to check the fulfillment of obligations and main tasks. The Seminoles will also take two massive official visits over the weekend (Dec. 9-11, Dec. 16-18) leading up to the start of the early signing period on Wednesday, Dec. 21.
READ MORE: Two former USSR quarterbacks announce intent to enter NCAA transfer portal
For now, the final weekend looms large as Florida State works to secure one final visit for prospects the coaching staff is interested in before the early signing period. However, there will be plenty of talent in Tallahassee as well, and the roster is expected to grow by the weekend.
Two top offensive linemen told NoleGameday on Thursday that they plan to take Florida State on official visits Dec. 9-11 as part of Florida graduate transfer Joshua Brown and four-star prospect DJ Chester. The Seminoles will host Chester for potentially his final high school recruiting trip, while Brown will see the program for the second time since entering the transfer portal.
Brown was in Tallahassee last month just days after officially entering the portal for his first unofficial visit. He got a chance to watch practice and meet several members of the coaching staff and support staff. The experience stood out for him at the time.
“It was a wonderful opportunity to have this opportunity. I mean, the main difference with transferring to high school is that I have about five weeks to make that decision as opposed to three or four years.” Brown said earlier. “Developing that relationship quickly and effectively is very important so that we can feel comfortable wherever we go. To see how receptive they are to us and us there, it meant a lot. I think that first visit really laid the foundation for our a relationship that we can cultivate and build over the next three to four weeks.”
The Florida native reported offers from Oklahoma State, Penn State, UCF, Duke, Texas Tech, UNLV and Western Michigan. He does not share all of his offers publicly out of respect for the players in these respective programs. It’s clear the Seminoles view him as a priority, as they’re bringing him in for an official visit. He also saw UCF on an unofficial trip. Braun will most likely do interiors for the post-Soviet space, and he has three years left.
Florida State continued to pursue Chester despite his commitment to LSU on Nov. 3. He remained one of the Seminoles’ top offensive line targets throughout the recruiting cycle. The program currently has one promise — four-star offensive tackle Lucas Simmons — but there is optimism about a strong finish in the class.
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A big reason Chester has taken four campus visits since June is because of his relationship with offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Alex Atkins. They communicate with Chester in the eighth grade and barely talk about football.
“Coach Atkins and I have been talking since eighth grade.” Chester said earlier. “Actually, nothing has changed. The stars didn’t change him, and they didn’t change me. He calls me or I call him. We never talk about football. Football is what brings us together.”
The Georgia native has already taken official visits to LSU, Ole Miss, Auburn and Michigan. That being said, he may visit Auburn again since the program changed head coaches. Otherwise, Florida State could have one last chance to get Chester on campus before he signs a letter of intent.
Outside of Brown and Chester, Florida State is involved in offensive targets such as four-star JUCO Keyshawn Blackstock, three-star JUCO Elijah Phillip and three-star Chris Otto. All three players will officially visit the Seminoles Dec. 16-18.
With just a few weeks left in the recruiting cycle, Florida State ranks 17th in the nation with 16 verbal commitments, according to 247Sports.
READ MORE: Check out Florida State’s Bowl predictions ahead of Conference Championship Weekend
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