Florida State currently has six commitments in the 2027 recruiting cycle, and blue-chip linebacker Gregory Batson is their second-highest rated pledge. He has been committed to the Seminoles since last November.
As is the case for every recruit in today’s college football landscape, nothing is etched in stone until a player officially signs, and the Mississippi State Bulldogs are pushing hard to flip Batson. They’ve been heavily involved since extending him an offer last June.
The Lee County High School star broke down why Mississippi State has his attention.
“Just their intensity in trying to get me, even though I’m committed, they’re still trying to get me and put pressure on me,” Batson told Noles247.
Florida State offered Batson last January, and they hosted him for a Junior Day event last March. He took an unofficial visit last June, and then he was on campus when FSU played the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Miami Hurricanes last season, which led to his commitment shortly afterwards.
It’s been that consistency and the bond that Batson has built with the Seminoles’ coaching staff that has kept his commitment to the program going strong.
“Just the connections I built ever since my recruitment first started,” said Batson. “It’s really not just one coach, but the whole staff and just the vibe that they give me every time I go down there, that’s really the main thing.”
Batson has taken two more visits to Florida State this year, with the latest coming at the end of March when he got to witness spring practice. It gave him a chance to see new linebackers coach Ernie Sims in action, and he was impressed immensely.
“It was really intense. And one of the main things was he, he’s been there,” Batson said. “He’s been the best recruit in the nation as a linebacker. So at the end of the day, he wanna take his guys where he is because he’s been there.”
The 247Sports composite rankings have listed Batson as the No. 391 overall player and the nation’s No. 30 linebacker. The 6-foot-1, 215-pounder is also the No. 44 prospect in the state of Georgia.
Batson has an official visit to FSU on June 5, and then he’ll take one to Mississippi State on June 12. It will be crucial for Florida State to work its magic and remind Batson why he chose to commit to them, as they work to shut down his recruitment.
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This article originally appeared on FSU Wire: FSU battling SEC school to retain blue-chip linebacker commit
Reporting by Matthew Lenix , FSU Wire / FSU Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
