A defensive recruit isn't shy about his growing affinity for Florida State. Except there's this scenario that could impact the Seminoles' pursuit.
Florida State football is winning over a high-profile four-star talent who is four hours south from Tallahassee.
Yet there's a catch involving edge rusher Santana Harvey out of Lakeland, Fla.
Harvey is a 6-foot-5 talent very much becoming a high priority for the 'Noles. He revealed to Zach Blostein of 247Sports where the Seminoles stand.
"Georgia and Florida State really stand out as defensive schools," Harvey shared. "I like their schemes and the way the coaches see me in their defense and they can get me to the league."
He adds how "both coaches have preached to me that they feel like they can bring me in, develop me and get me to the league."
However, here's the catch involving Harvey that could put FSU in a bind.
"I want to leave the state. I don't want to stay close to home at all," Harvey admits. "There's probably only one school that'd be able to keep me here but majority of the time, I want to leave the state."
He then doubled down on his desire of expressing life outside of the Sunshine State.
"I just want a fresh start, see what's out there in the world. I feel like, Florida, I've been here for so long. I'm just ready to try something new," Harvey said.
But as mentioned above, he's not ruling out choosing the 'Noles -- offering a glimmer of hope that the FSU coaching staff, led by edge rush coach Nick Williams, can win over the 2027 talent.
"I just came off a visit to Florida State. They're really high on my board right now," Harvey said. "Coach Nick [Williams], the edge coach, he came to see me at the school a couple days ago."
Harvey shared how Williams left a strong impression on him.
"He's a great guy. I feel like he'll be able to develop me to the next level. Just seeing the people he's put in the league and the people he's been able to develop over the past years, I feel like I want to be a part of that," he said of Williams.
FSU isn't just courting in-state talent. The 'Noles are trying to win back decommits too -- a la four-star safety Jaylen Scott.
FSU only has four verbal commits so far in the new recruiting cycle featuring three from Florida. But the Seminoles rank No. 17 nationally so far in the 2027 recruiting rankings.
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