Prediction: Florida State Seminoles poised to land 5-star football recruit

After finishing with a top-20 recruiting class last year, the Florida State Seminoles are looking to make an even bigger splash in the 2024 recruiting cycle.

Mike Norvell's squad has amassed the nation's No. 8 recruiting class so far, highlighted by Colquitt County (Georgia) five-star tight end Landen Thomas and Benedictine Military School (Georgia) four-star quarterback Luke Kromenhoek, but an even bigger prize may be on the way.

It is just likely to take some time.

Prediction: Charles Lester III to Florida State Seminoles

Riverview (Florida) five-star prospect Charles Lester III is rated the nation's No. 13 overall prospect, No. 2 cornerback and No. 4 player in the state of Florida, behind only Chaminade-Madonna Prep wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (Ohio State), IMG Academy cornerback Ellis Robinson IV (Georgia) and IMG Academy defensive lineman David Stone (uncommitted).

The uber-athletic 6-foot-2, 171-pound defensive back has announced a top four of Alabama, Florida State, Georgia and Ohio State and has visited all four programs this spring.

Lester has set official visits to Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State and Colorado, but is also likely to make at least an unofficial trip to Tallahassee as well.

So, why the confidence the in-state bluechip prospect will stay home? 

Lester has told multiple outlets (247Sports and On3, for example) that Florida State is his leader, a fact that has been rumored to be the case for months. 

“I would say Florida State is the leader right now in this process for me,” he recently told On3. “If I had to choose today, I would go there. That’s the first time I’ve told anybody that. … To be honest, Florida State is my No. 1 school right now.”

Furthermore, Lester remains arguably Florida State's No. 1 priority in the 2024 recruiting cycle, and there's confidence surrounding his recruitment, particularly among current Seminoles pledges.

While a lot can happen in the NIL era, Lester's strong Florida State lean has only continued to grow in recent months and the 'Noles are dead-set on making him a headliner of their class.

It also helps that Lester is building a solid relationship with both Florida State defensive coordinator Adam Fuller and defensive backs coach Patrick Surtain Sr. 

It may take time, and some nervous moments along the way, but "Lester to Florida State" projects as the conclusion to his recruitment.

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