Another sign that Florida State football is getting back to itself

Florida State football jumped into the top 10 of the 2024 college football recruiting rankings with a five-star commitment and here are some thoughts. 

It’s been a fun couple of days for Florida State football fans on the recruiting trail. The Seminoles are trending to flip a blue-chip offensive lineman from USC and the crystal ball projections have been pouring in, plus, FSU landed another major commitment on Friday night.

While Florida State football fans are still waiting for the flip of offensive lineman Manasse Itete, Charles Lester III, a five-star cornerback who is ranked 19th overall according to the 247 Sports composite rankings, committed to the Seminoles on Friday night.

Out of Venice, Florida, the 6-foot-1, 171-pounder is ranked second among cornerbacks in the 2024 class, as well as fourth in the state of Florida.

It’s another big recruiting win for Mike Norvell, who is putting together an impressive class that is now ranked eighth overall in the 247 Sports Team rankings for 2024, as well as first in the ACC.

Colorado and Alabama were the other contenders for Lester. Each program hosted him for an official visit, but Florida State football was able to seal the deal heading into this weekend.

What does it mean for Florida State football?

On one hand, Florida State is simply getting one of the best defensive backs in the 2024 class.

Lester has tremendous size and is a ballhawk after making five interceptions last season. He played some wide receiver too in high school and landing that kind of talent is exactly what Florida State football fans are used to.

We have talked about Norvell getting this program back to the Florida State of old and it’s happening before our eyes. FSU won 10 games last season and is a legit playoff contender going into 2023.

The transfer haul was impressive and this is shaping up to be a top-10 class. Signing the best class in the ACC used to feel like the birthright of Florida State football.

Last year, Florida State football signed the 19th-ranked class in college football. This time around, Florida State football is battling it out with Clemson for the top spot. There is a long way to go and Miami is going to make a move eventually.

But the Noles now have two five-star commitments and are one of just six college football programs that can make that claim in 2024. That’s why this commitment matters and ultimately, it’s another sign that Mike Norvell has the Noles headed in the right direction again.