The Inside Scoop: Florida State's chances to land two commits this week

This is a big week on the recruiting trail for Florida State as it has the chance to land two of its top targets: Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Stranahan five-star wide receiver Hykeem Williams and Ripon (Calif.) Manteca four-star linebacker Blake Nichelson.

On3 Director of Recruiting Chad Simmons broke down those two commits this Monday on the The Inside Scoop and where the Seminoles stand with both players.

He started with Williams, who was on a visit to Texas A&M this past weekend. Simmons said the visit wouldn’t factor too much into his commitment, which he is set to announce Friday.

“I would lean towards no. He’s been there so many times in the past,” Simmons said. “I think he wanted to get this one last visit. I don’t even think this will be his last visit, whether he commits to A&M or Florida state or another school on the 23rd. Obviously this had an impact I’m sure. But how big I think probably not so big in the final decision as far as the commitment coming on later this week.”

Williams is the No. 20 overall recruit in the 2023 cycle, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Simmons then talked about the work the coaching staff has done put to Florida State in the mix to land the five-star recruit.

“Florida State has done an excellent job of laying out their plan for him, how he could be their number one target at receiver in the years to come and how he can be a big part of that offense under Mike Novell,” Simmons said. “Norvell is heavily involved. Ron Dugans, multiple guys off the field in Tallahassee as well recruiting him and his family. A&M is obviously is Florida State’s biggest competition. You have Pitt, you can’t sleep on them. You have Georgia. You have Miami, some other schools involved but I think FSU is at least right now in the top two.”

Williams currently has an On3 NIL Valuation of $226k. The On3 NIL Valuation is an index that looks to set the standard market value for both high school and college-level athletes. The NIL valuation does not act as a tracker of the value of NIL deals an athlete has completed to date. It rather signifies an athlete’s value at a certain moment in time.

With Nichelson, Florida State is the favorite heading into his commitment Tuesday. But the four-star linebacker did take a visit to Oregon this past weekend.

“I think Florida State is right there,” Simmons said. “I have my pick on the RPM Machine on On3 to the Seminoles. I felt no reason to change that as we close it on the decision. But him being at Oregon over the weekend definitely lets you know and the fans know that the Ducks are still being considered late in this process. He’s named UCLA also in his final three but I think the four-star linebacker for Manteca High School picks Florida State or Oregon this week.”

The 2023 On300 ranking has Nichelson as the No. 189 overall prospect and No. 16 linebacker in the nation.

“I like where Florida State’s at,” Simmons continued. “When he visited Florida State with his family late July on their own time, unofficial visit, they actually took a day and look for property, homes. And that gave me a sense that they were feeling pretty strong about the potential fit at Florida State. Oregon has made him a priority as FSU has. But I think he likes the opportunity to play early and likes how they use their their linebackers in Florida State as well.”