Historic decision by nation’s top recruit a tough loss for Florida State’s 2022 class
On Wednesday morning, Florida State suffered a defeat that will likely sting far worse than any of the seven losses it sustained on the field this past season.
And one of its most famous alums helped deliver the gut punch.
While the Seminoles signed 14 athletes to a recruiting class which is still ranked No. 17 nationally overall, they lost the nation’s top overall recruit when cornerback Travis Hunter of Collins Hill, Ga., stunned the college football world by signing with Jackson State to play for former FSU great Deion Sanders.
Hunter, a five-star prospect who had been committed to the Seminoles for nearly two years, became the highest-rated player ever to sign with an HBCU team.
“Florida State has always been a beacon for me. I grew up down there, that’s where my roots are, and I never doubted that I would play for the Seminoles,” Hunter tweeted following his announcement. “It’s a dream that is hard to let go of, but sometimes we are called to step into a bigger future than one we imagined for ourselves. For me that future is Jackson State University.
“Jerry Rice, Doug Williams, and of course the legend, JSU’s own Walter Payton — Historically Black Colleges and Universities have a rich history in football. I want to be a part of that history, and more, I want to be a part of that future.”
Hunter’s decision was a momentous occasion in the first year of college football recruiting since new legislation was passed in July allowing players to capitalize on their name, image and likeness (NIL).
Hunter is believed to be receiving a deal in excess of $1 million with Barstool Sports to sign with Jackson State. Sanders is a content creator for Barstool Sports.
“It’s definitely changed some of the dynamics in recruiting and obviously the decision-making process with student-athletes,” FSU coach Mike Norvell told reporters on Wednesday afternoon. “I think when you look at all factors that are involved in that decision, whether it’s facilities, whether it’s the program, location, education, all of the things that kids are looking at, that’s also playing a big part.”
Hunter wasn’t the only defection from the 2022 commitment list entering the day.
Fort Lauderdale Dillard wide receiver Devaughn Mortimer flipped his commitment to Louisville after having been committed to the Seminoles for the past 10 months.
Mortimer said he felt he fit in better at Louisville and the offensive scheme that the Cardinals run.
Norvell told reporters that FSU’s recruiting class was put together with good intentions but some of the by-products of it have had different consequences than intended, including recent movement with the transfer portal and coaching changes such as the recent departure of offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham to Oregon.
Although Mortimer said initially the coaching change didn’t affect his decision, but later acknowledged that knowing what kind of offense Louisville will run played a role in him deciding to switch.
“They showed me film, and how they would use me and I felt like that was a better fit for me,” Mortimer said. “Louisville is a great place and had a great atmosphere and it felt like home.”
Travis’ decision denied FSU what was likely to be a top-10 recruiting class heading into its third offseason under Norvell.
Still, Norvell chose to focus on who the Seminoles were able to sign, which included their other five-star commitment, Lakeland Lake Gibson safety Sam McCall, and Niceville four-star athlete Azareyeh Thomas.
FSU also got some good news just a couple of hours before midnight on Wednesday when Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas four-star offensive tackle Julian Armella signed with the Seminoles. Armella (6-6, 295 pounds), the son of former FSU standout Enzo Armella, is ranked fifth nationally among interior offensive linemen and No. 126 overall by 247Sports.
Norvell said McCall is a “game-changer who could play corner or safety” and said Thomas was a “dynamic playmaker who could start on defense at cornerback but may also see reps at skill position spots on offense.
Overall, the Seminoles signed five offensive linemen — an area they looked to address early with Armella and four-star prospects Jaylen Early and Qae’Shon Sapp highlighting the group.
Bradenton IMG Academy four-star quarterback AJ Duffy and three-star Georgia running back Rodney Hill also signed.
Norvell said he expects FSU to finish the cycle with a full complement of 25 signees and could add more either through the transfer portal or via high school recruits in the coming days.
Alabama four-star interior offensive lineman prospect Antavious Woody remains committed to the Seminoles. FSU also secured a transfer commitment from 6-4, 315-pound offensive tackle Bless Harris, who entered the portal in September and had initially committed to UCF before switching to FSU last month.
“It’s a class that’s really addressed a lot of the needs that we had,” Norvell said. “On the defensive side, I feel we have some dynamic players who can make an incredible impact early in their careers.”
Florida State 2022 early signees
S Sam McCall, Lakeland Lake Gibson, 6-0, 182; ATH Azareyeh Thomas, Niceville, 6-1, 177; QB AJ Duffy, IMG Academy, 6-2, 203; OL Jaylen Early, Duncanville, Texas, 6-4, 320; OL Julian Armella, St. Thomas Aquinas, 6-6, 295; OL Qae’Shon Sapp, Leesburg, Ga., 6-4, 325; ATH Rodney Hill, Statesboro, Ga., 5-10, 175; DL Daniel Lyons, Homestead, 6-4, 270;DE Aaron Hester, Jacksonville Fletcher, 6-1, 237; OL Bishop Thomas, Orlando Bishop Moore, 6-2, 301; OT Daughtry Richardson, Miami Central, 6-4, 285; LB Omar Graham Jr., Stranahan, 6-1, 205;TE Brian Courtney, Ashton, Va., 6-3, 223; OL Kanaya Charlton, Brunswick, Ga., 6-5, 351;TE Jerrale Powers, Duncanville, Tex., 6-4, 238
This story was originally published December 15, 2021 at 6:40 PM.
