Florida State leading in-state race for 4-star WR Koby Howard

Each and every recruiting cycle is filled with in-state battles — especially in Florida.

Florida, FSU and Miami consistently square off on the trail against one another as each school tries to wrangle the top prospects in The Sunshine State. That’s the same in 2025 and Davie (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna four-star wide receiver Koby Howard is one of the recruits being targeted by the trio.

All three have had Howard on campus plenty throughout his recruitment, but according to On3’s Chad Simmons, it’s Florida State that’s leading the charge the hardest.

“The in-state schools are recruiting Koby Howard the hardest. Florida State though, is recruiting him harder than Florida and Miami and the Seminoles continue to set the pace in this race. He constantly talks with Ron Dugans and Mike Norvell. He will be back in Tallahassee in March or April,” Simmons wrote.

Howard made his latest stop to FSU at the beginning of February. No team has been recruiting the wideout longer than the Seminoles — and that’s currently paying off for Norvell and his staff.

“They were the first school to offer me,” Howard told On3. “It used to be close to home and I am familiar with the school and the coaches. The coaches have been consistent, they stuck with me through my injury and it feels like home. Almost every day, someone from the Florida State staff is texting me or checking on me and making sure I am good. The coaches have been great.” 

Howard is the No. 327 overall prospect and No. 46 WR in the 2025 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 45 prospect in Florida.

Seminoles own top-10 class early in 2025 cycle

Despite owning only four commitments as of Feb. 15, Florida State currently has the No. 7 class in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. Headlining the quartet is a pair of elite top-100 recruits.

Jacksonville Raines four-star offensive tackle Solomon Thomas is the No. 29 overall prospect and No. 6 OT in the nation, while Cocoa (Fla.) four-star EDGE Javion Hilson flanks as the No. 33 recruit and No. 3 EDGE. The in-state duo are the No. 3 and 4 players in Florida, respectively.

“I wanted to make the decision for a good little minute now,” Thomas told Warchant upon his commitment. “I actually wanted to commit the day after they had said that Florida State wasn’t going to go to the playoffs, which I was kind of upset about because I was rooting for them. … It hurt me, so I was like, ‘OK, I’m gonna make it to where they can’t count us out again.”

Sanford (Fla.) Seminole four-star linebacker Ethan Pritchard and Jacksonville Mandarin three-star quarterback Tramell Jones round out the class. Only Clemson currently checks in ahead of FSU in the 2025 ACC class rankings.