FSU loses out on Cross
Florida State suffered another blow on the recruiting trail when fourstar defensive back Nick Cross flipped his commitment, choosing to sign with Maryland on Tuesday.
He was the top-ranked recruit in the state of Maryland and had on multiple occasions described FSU as his “dream school,” according to the Washington Post, but he opted not to sign during the early signing period.
He also let the traditional National Signing Day pass without locking in his pledge, adding to the anxiety that coach Willie Taggart might loss him to Maryland coach Mike Locksley, who has proven to be an elite recruiter.
Cross is the No. 4 safety in the 2019 class, according to 247Sports.com. After he didn’t sign early with FSU, Penn State and Maryland reportedly saw the opportunity to flip him. The Washington Post also reported Georgia took an interest in the 6-foot, 206-pound prospect and even hosted him for an unofficial visit the week leading up to National Signing Day.
Had he signed with the Seminoles, Cross would’ve been their top recruit. Instead, he joins a list of talented players who opted to play elsewhere next year. The group includes four-star quarterback Lance LeGendre, who also signed with Maryland after considering FSU.
During the early signing period, four-star quarterback Sam Howell announced he was staying home and attending the University of North Carolina instead of sticking with his commitment to FSU.
After missing out on Howell and LeGendre, depth at the quarterback position remains a concern with the recent dismissal of Deondre Francois.
FSU head coach Willie Taggart said there is a plan to fill out that position, but he did not want to disclose details before alluding to recruiting transfers.
“We have a plan, I think a pretty good plan,” Taggart said during National Signing Day. “I don’t necessarily want to discuss it right now, but I think we have a pretty good plan.”
The Seminoles are coming off a 5-7 season during which they missed qualifying for a bowl game for the first time in 36 years. Taggart vowed the Seminoles would rebound and reward fans with much better results moving forward.
UF spring game set: The Florida Gators’ second spring game under coach Dan Mullen is set for 1 p.m. April 13 in the Swamp.
The Gators are poised to have a big turnout following their surprising turnaround season in 2018.
A crowd of 53,015 showed up last April for the Orange and Blue Debut, but the excitement around the program is even higher now. The Gators ended last season 10-3 and ranked No. 7 in the final AP top 25 following a 4-7 finish in 2017.
Last April, Mullen returned the spring game to its traditional Saturday afternoon time slot after a couple of night games under former coach Jim McElwain.
Quarterback Feleipe Franks led the Orange team to a 35-30 win over the Blue Squad during last year’s game.
Franks entered this offseason the clear-cut starter after accounting for 31 touchdowns last season and leading the Gators to a 41-15 win in the Peach Bowl against Michigan.