Seminoles fans shouldn’t get their hopes up after landing in the top-five for one of the best players in the 2027 recruiting class
The Seminoles could have used him, too, but they don’t really have a chance.
The Florida State Seminoles are among the top five schools for a highly regarded player in the 2027 recruiting class. However, their chances of securing a commitment are considered low at this stage. FSU fans may want to temper expectations.
According to Hayes Fawcett of Rivals, Frederick Ards III recently shared his top-five schools, which include the Seminoles. His list also features the Florida Gators, Texas A&M Aggies, Alabama Crimson Tide, and South Carolina Gamecocks.
Ards has visited four of those five schools. In fact, he has visited some of them several times. However, the Seminoles are the only team from that group he hasn’t visited yet. He and head coach Mike Norvell haven’t set a date for the visit. The Seminoles have a lot of work to do to make up for the missed time with Ards.
The stud edge rusher has visited Florida four times, South Carolina three times, Bama twice, and Texas A&M once. That puts the Noles far behind their rival. Ards is from Orlando, which is much closer to Gainesville than Tallahassee. The Seminoles will likely miss out on Ards, and if they do, they’re missing out on an elite player.
Ards has the potential to push for a five-star rating
The 6’4, 220-pound edge rusher has elite potential at his position in both run and pass rush defense. He’s got great length and could fill out with muscle in a college weight-lifting program. Ards also played inside a bit in high school. He even has some nice tape as an outside linebacker.
He’s going to be a great player with a high football IQ. It seems like the Noles will have to deal with him once a year, every year—if he goes to Florida. If he chooses any of the other schools in his top five, the Noles dodge a bullet and won’t have to play him when he is developed.
Head coach Mike Norvell has to get a visit set up fast with Ards and see if they can make up some ground with the in-state edge rusher.
Florida State Seminoles News
Mike Norvell didn’t waste any time responding to sudden and random news that was just dropped right on him
Mike Norvell and the Seminoles have faith in Tim Harris.
