5-star CB Charles Lester III commits to Florida State: 'Coach Norvell made me feel like I was the only person he wanted out of this class'

Venice (Fla.) five-star cornerback Charles Lester III played for the Sarasota Seminoles from the time he in flag football up to the time he was 14. Now Lester’s future will also see him playing for another team called the Seminoles.

Lester announced his commitment to Florida State Friday night choosing the Seminoles over Alabama, Colorado and Georgia.

“It’s a family atmosphere and every time I go on campus, it’s just a feeling I get there,” Lester told On3. “They’ve got really good people there.  Each individual coach shows the same amount of attention and love to me.”

Florida State offered Lester when he was a sophomore. That was the year he first connected with Mike Norvell and the bond between the two has only grown stronger since.

What Lester appreciates out of Norvell the most is how he’s always the same guy no matter the type of environment he’s in at the time.

“When I’m there, it’s the same him every time,” said Lester, the No. 16 player in the 2024 On300. “You won’t get the laid back him or anything like that because he’s hyped every time. I can’t speak for no other recruit but every time I was at Florida State, Coach Norvell made me feel like I was the only person he wanted out of this class.”

Lester sees a bright future for himself and Florida State

Like most top high school cornerbacks going to a program known for sending cornerbacks to the NFL, Lester has that same vision for himself.

Getting to play for a coach like Patrick Surtain Sr. only makes that vision feel more like a reality knowing Surtain’s history.

“I believe that he can do a great job there and help make me a top-10 pick and No. 1 cornerback off the board in the NFL Draft,” Lester said.

As for the near future and what he expects to accomplish at Florida State, Lester won’t settle for anything less than ACC titles and competing for national titles.

“We’re winning the ACC for sure,” Lester said. With the group of kids Coach Norvell is bringing in, we’re winning the ACC for sure. The national title, once we get what we’ve got, we’re going have to build.

…This year we’ve got a great chance to win the national championship. Coach Norvell’s turned it around a lot already. When I get there, I think we’re winning championships especially if they keep doing well recruiting.”