Charles Lester III, 5-star cornerback, visiting Colorado just ahead of decision; Florida State still leading?

Oh, the intrigue! 

Venice (Florida) five-star prospect Charles Lester III, the nation's No. 2 cornerback, is set to announce his college commitment Friday.

For months, the 6-foot-1, 171-pound defensive back has been considered a heavy Florida State lean over the rest of the pack, a group of schools that includes Alabama, Colorado, Ohio State and others.

In fact, On3 gives Florida State is given a 90.8 percent chance of landing Lester and 247Sports had five prediction all in favor of the Seminoles.

But that race may be tightening.

Recently, rumors have been swirling about Lester taking a last-minute visit to Boulder to check out Colorado, and those rumors were confirmed Tuesday afternoon with an update on Lester's Instagram account.

Colorado coach Deion Sanders is known or pulling off massive recruiting surprises.

In the class of 2022, Collins Hill (Georgia) Travis Hunter, the nation's No. 1 overall prospect, flipped his commitment from Florida State to Jackson State (and later followed "Coach Prime" to Boulder).

The following year, Lakeland (Florida) star Cormani McClain, the nation's No. 1 cornerback, flipped his pledge from Miami to Colorado in a whirlwind recruitment that once saw the Florida Gators as the team to beat as well. 

So, it appears Sanders is looking for his third consecutive class with a surprise commitment that nets his program an elite cornerback. 

And given that Lester is in Boulder currently, it seems the five-star cornerback is at least genuinely interested in hearing the pitch.

That stands out given that none of the other finalists have even been remotely linked to Lester in recent weeks.

It's been all Florida State with just a hint of "maybe Coach Prime can pull it off."

Now, it seems the race for Lester is very real. 

What could Lester be at the next level?

Here's what 247Sports had to say about him as a prospect:

"A longer cornerback prospect that has looked the part on Friday nights and on the offseason camp/tournament circuit when matched up with future Power Five wide receivers. ...Spent most of junior season working in off-man coverage for a defense that played a lot of Cover 2. However, was asked to press in certain situations and was able to redirect. Overall, a pretty fluid mover that doesn’t exactly labor when asked to change directions and gain depth. Uses his length to his advantage once the ball is airborne as he can swallow up pass catchers of all different sizes out on the boundary. ... Top-end speed could raise some concerns given limited testing profile, but has generated plenty of chunk plays while doubling as a wide receiver and a wildcat QB against solid Sunshine State competition. Has the size (and reach) that everyone covets on the outside these days. Will need to keep developing game and eventually add some functional strength to a wiry frame..." 

Junior season highlights