Florida State’s image may have taken a hit during the extended and multi-faceted Jameis Winston melodrama, but, at least in one case, it’s had the exact opposite effect on the recruiting trail.
Monday, 2015 prospect Jacques Patrick announced that he had given Florida State a verbal commitment. Patrick chose FSU over a group of finalists that also included Alabama, Florida, Ohio State and Texas A&M. More to the point, it was down to the ‘Noles and the Tide, with the former coming out on top in this recruiting skirmish.
Patrick’s non-binding verbal is a coup for the recruiting-rich Seminoles as the Orlando, Fla. running back is a five-star prospect and rated by Rivals.com as the No. 2 player at his position in the country and the No. 17 overall player in the Class of 2015.
Not only is it a coup talent-wise for Jimbo Fisher and company, it’s a coup for one part of the reason why the player verballed FSU. From 247Sports.com:Patrick noted that his family, especially his mother, has seen the way Fisher has defended Winston. The trust between FSU’s staff and the entire Patrick family was what eventually led him to picking the ‘Noles today.
“The relationship we’ve built over the years has gone a long way. I feel like I can trust those guys (FSU staff). When my family approves, it was just a no-brainer after that,” Patrick said.
Patrick had long been considered an FSU lean, so the verbal should in no way be surprising. One of the reasons behind it, though, should serve notice to whatever teams using the Winston situation as a negative on the recruiting front.
(Photo credit: Rivals.com)