Story by
Florida State football beats major West Coast programs for linebacker recruit Blake Nichelson
- Story by
- Florida State football beats major West Coast programs for linebacker recruit Blake Nichelson
Florida State has not signed many high school recruits like Blake Nichelson in recent memory.
Which is why the Seminoles receiving a verbal commitment from the 2023 linebacker Tuesday could be one of their most impressive recruiting wins under head coach Mike Norvell to date.
Advertisement
At least according to the two major recruiting services – 247Sports (No. 11 linebacker, No. 132 overall) and On3 (No. 16 linebacker, No. 189 overall) – that give the Manteca (Calif.) High product a top 200 overall ranking and four-star evaluation. Rivals (No. 32 linebacker, unranked overall) values Nichelson as a three-star recruit.
More FSU football: Florida State football coach Mike Norvell optimistic about team's outlook despite injuries
Update on FSU quarterback Jordan Travis: Florida State QB Jordan Travis' status still up in air, Tate Rodemaker progressing
Closer look at FSU's win over Louisville: Florida State football's win over Louisville proves Mike Norvell can do more with less
Advertisement
Not since the 2016 class has FSU signed a high school linebacker with a higher overall recruiting ranking than Nichelson, per 247Sports. Since 247Sports launched in 2010, Nichelson would be tied for its sixth-highest ranked recruit that the Seminoles have signed from a high school west of Tennessee.
And between the 2020-2024 classes under Norvell, former Gilbert (Ariz.) Perry quarterback Chubba Purdy represents the only other high school recruit west of Texas who signed with FSU or is a current verbal commit. Purdy transferred to Nebraska this past offseason.
The Seminoles not only landed one of their best linebackers in the last decade. But they also managed to fend off practically every major West Coast program from keeping Nichelson on their side of the country.
Nichelson named Oregon, UCLA and FSU as his top three schools. USC, Washington, Arizona and Arizona State were among other schools to offer him a scholarship.
Advertisement
More FSU football injury updates: A look at injuries and updates from head coach Mike Norvell for Seminoles
How FSU beat Oregon, UCLA for Blake Nichelson
FSU hiring Darrick Yray as its general manager of personnel in February played a major role in Nichelson's recruitment.
Yray knew Nichelson from his time as Oregon State's director of player personnel. Not to mention Yray is a native of Linden, Calif., which is approximately 20 miles northeast of Manteca.
On May 3, the Seminoles offered Nichelson. Then they hosted him for a June 17-19 official visit and July 28-31 unofficial visit. He spent much of his time with Yray and linebackers coach Randy Shannon during those visits.
Advertisement
Norvell also was involved in Nichelson's recruitment. Nichelson told the Democrat that Norvell called him the morning after FSU defeated LSU on Sept. 4.
"Having the head coach call me after a big win like that just really shows their interest level in me. That is a great look," Nichelson said. "They reached out to me and asked, 'What did you think about the win?' They were talking about, 'I told you how we were going to use our talent this year. You could be a part of that as well.'"
Manteca's Blake Nichelson runs through a huge hole against Turlock High on Sept. 9. Manteca led 35-22 at the half.
The Seminoles currently have seven scholarship linebackers: redshirt juniors Kalen DeLoach, Tatum Bethune, Amari Gainer and Brendan Gant, redshirt sophomores DJ Lundy and Stephen Dix Jr., freshman Omar Graham Jr.
Advertisement
Nichelson would join that group, along with fellow verbal pledge Duluth (Ga.) High's Demarco Ward.
"I had a great impression of them, especially after that (LSU) game," Nichelson said. "The way they play linebacker is, they are kind of all over the place. That is kind of how I play already. So that is a good look for them. And also seeing one of their linebackers (DJ Lundy) score on offense was pretty cool too."
With Nichelson, FSU now has 15 commits in its 2023 class. 247Sports, On3 and Rivals now rank the class No. 19, 20 and 28 nationally.
More from FSU vs. Louisville: Tate Rodemaker, Johnny Wilson lead Seminoles to victory over Louisville | 5 takeaways
Advertisement
Eye-popping statistics
Nichelson has established himself as quite the high school linebacker.
He might be even more prolific as a running back.
In 13 games as a high school junior last season, Nichelson recorded 49 tackles, 11 tackles for a loss and seven sacks while turning 208 carries into a staggering 2,231 yards and 36 touchdowns. He also caught 19 passes for 381 yards and seven scores.
Through four games this season, Nichelson has 10 tackles, one tackle for a loss and four pass breakups while rushing for 472 yards and 10 touchdowns on 54 carries. He also has nine receptions for 164 yards and four scores.
Advertisement
More on Jordan Travis: Explaining Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis' preparation, improvement as a passer
Florida State's 2023 recruiting class
Below are the 15 recruits currently committed to Florida State's 2023 class, along with what their ranking is on 247Sports.
Wide Receiver
Three-star Vandrevius Jacobs - Vero Beach High - Fort Pierce, Fla. - No. 78 wide receiver
Three-star Darren "Goldie" Lawrence - Seminole High - Sanford, Fla. - No. 42 wide receiver
Offensive Line
Four-star Lucas Simmons - Clearwater Academy International - Clearwater, Fla. - No. 8 offensive tackle, No. 60 overall
Advertisement
Four-star Roderick Kearney - Orange Park High - Orange Park, Fla. - No. 6 interior offensive lineman, No. 155 overall
Running back
Four-star Samuel Singleton - Fleming Island - Orange Park, Fla. - No. 14 running back
Defensive End
Four-star Lamont Green Jr. - Gulliver Prep - Miami - No. 26 edge rusher, No. 226 overall
Junior college transfer Jaden Jones - Hutchinson CC - Montgomery, Ala. - Unranked
Four-star Keldric Faulk - Highland Home - Highland Home, Ala. - No. 14 defensive lineman, No. 115 overall
Defensive Tackle
Four-star Keith Sampson Jr. - New Bern High - New Bern, N.C. - No. 22 defensive lineman, No. 145 overall
Advertisement
Three-star Tavion Gadson - Jenkins - Savannah, Ga. - No. 53 defensive lineman
Linebacker
Four-star Blake Nichelson - Manteca High - Manteca, Calif. - No. 11 linebacker, No. 132 overall
Three-star DeMarco Ward - Duluth High - Duluth, Ga. - No. 106 linebacker
Defensive Back
Four-star Kenton Kirkland - Raines - Jacksonville, Fla. - No. 28 safety
Three-star Quindarrius Jones - Meridian High - Meridian, Ms. - No. 105 athlete
Three-star Ja'Bril Rawls - Pensacola Catholic - Pensacola, Fla. - No. 95 cornerback
Reach Carter Karels at ckarels@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter @CarterKarels. You can also follow our coverage on Facebook (NoleSports) and Instagram (tlhnolesports).
Advertisement
No one covers the 'Noles like the Tallahassee Democrat. Subscribe using the link at the top of the page and never miss a moment.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU football recruiting: Linebacker Blake Nichelson commits to Seminoles
