Florida State Seminoles trending for 4-star EDGE Dylan Stephenson

Miami (Fla.) Christopher Columbus four-star EDGE Dylan Stephenson announced his top 10 schools on Jan. 6. One of the programs to make the cut was Florida State.

The Seminoles currently have a commanding lead for Stephenson’s commitment, according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine. Florida State’s odds rose exponentially to 92.1% following expert predictions from On3’s Chad Simmons and Stephen Wagner of CaneSport.

Stephenson is the No. 195 overall prospect and No. 16 EDGE in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He is also the No. 31 player in Florida.

“The commitment timeline is expected to be over the summer, but based on intel, I like where Florida State sits with four-star EDGE Dylan Stephenson,” Simmons wrote. “… Based on what I am hearing, Florida State has picked up some real momentum with Stephenson, and I have logged a prediction for the Seminoles on the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.”

Stephenson has visited Tallahassee four times, most recently on April 15. He is scheduled to return to the Seminoles on June 23 for an official visit.

“We got Luke Kromenhoek as the quarterback on the offense and need someone for the defense to step up and be a leader of the class,” Stephenson told Michael Langston of Warchant on April 16 about Florida State’s message to him.

“I appreciated how Jared Verse played,” he added. “I could see a little more of him standing up and even Patrick (Payton), and they let the young guys go out there and have a little fun too. So that was cool…

“… They are doing a great job. Patrick has done a phenomenal job, a lot bigger, stronger and faster, better at that position. They are doing a great job over here, obviously.”

For more Florida State recruiting intel, check out Warchant.

Stephenson would be a big addition to Florida State’s 2024 class

Right now, Florida State’s 2024 recruiting class ranks No. 7 in the 2024 On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings and No. 1 in the ACC. The Seminoles’ group is led by Moultrie (Ga.) Colquitt County five-star tight end Landen Thomas, who flipped from Georgia on April 17.

Norvell and his staff also have top-100 commitments from Albany (Ga.) Dougherty four-star running back Kameron Davis and Savannah (Ga.) Benedictine Military School four-star quarterback Luke Kromenhoek. Meanwhile, Florida State’s highest-ranked defensive pledge is Atlanta (Ga.) Woodward Academy three-star safety CJ Heard, the No. 467 overall prospect in the On3 Industry Ranking.

As a result, the Seminoles landing Stephenson would likely provide a big recruiting boost, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Florida State is still involved in the recruitments of other high-profile defenders, including Buford (Ga.) Five-Star Plus+ safety KJ Bolden and Sarasota (Fla.) Riverview five-star cornerback Charles Lester III.

According to the RPM, the Seminoles are leading for Lester III’s commitment at 91.0%.