4-star OT Manasse Itete commits to Florida State: 'Florida State, those are my people'

Modesto (Calif.) Central Catholic four-star offensive tackle Manassee Itete felt good about his decision when he announced his commitment to USC on June 5. Even with that decision, Florida State remained high on Itete’s list of schools.

The Seminoles coaches remained in constant contact with Itete despite his pledge to the Trojans. That sort of love only proved to Itete that Tallahassee might be where he needed to be instead of staying in his home state.

That became a reality on Saturday as the 6-foot-4.5, 290-pounder decommitted from USC on Friday and committed to Florida State a day later.

“It was a hard decision because USC was my choice and where I thought I was going to go,” Itete told On3. “Florida State, those are my people. All of the people I love are there so I need to go somewhere that I’m the most comfortable every day. I know for they want me and they’ll push me to be great.”

Itete’s only been to Tallahassee once but that lone visit was all he needed to know where the Seminoles sat on his list. He wasn’t able to go to Florida State for an official visit in June but remained in contact with Florida State offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Alex Atkins and others on the staff.

Even when he decided to choose USC in June, Itete said that Atkins wasn’t made at him about the decision like some other coaches. Atkins kept his same demeanor and upped his contact with Itete.

As he thought about the pros and cons for each school, Itete took the next month to mull over his decision. It wasn’t until July 26 that he ultimately came to his final decision and picked Florida State.

“When I made my original decision, Florida State was one of my top schools Florida State but USC was showing the most love at that time,” said Itete, the No. 206 player in the 2024 On300. “Since then though Florida State has been consistent and showing me love.  It honestly took me awhile to come to this decision.

…Just to see the consistency Florida State has had with me helped me make this decision. I told them that I had made my choice but they kept telling me how much they wanted me. That’s what really just changed my mind.”