The Inside Scoop: Florida State 'a threat' to flip On3 5-star Texas RB commit Cedric Baxter

Landing On3 five-star Orlando (Fla.) Edgewater running back Cedric Baxter was a massive recruiting win for Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian, running backs coach Tashard Choice and the Longhorns over the summer.

But as with any top recruit, other programs aren’t giving up easily. Both Florida and Florida State are pursuing the Sunshine State star. And after taking an unofficial visit to Tallahassee two weeks ago, Baxter announced on Sunday that he will take an official visit with the Seminoles this coming weekend. The On3 five-star running back is a one-time Florida State commit, and the in-state program is working to get him back in the fold a second time.

Do the Seminoles have a shot at flipping him? On3 Director of Recruiting Chad Simmons broke down the latest in his recruitment after Baxter said the Longhorns didn’t have to worry about him flipping last week.

“I think actions do speak louder than words, but this time, I would lean a little more toward the words today. Let’s see what happens a week or so from now after the visit,” Simmons said Monday during the On3 Inside Scoop recruiting show. “FSU, look, that’s his dream school. He was committed there at one time; he loves Florida State for Florida State. He watched that program growing up; he knows about their history and their winning under Bobby Bowden. And he knows what Mike Norvell is trying to do.

…And they’ve been extremely consistent. Whether that’s Mike Norvell, David Johnson, the staff behind the scenes in Tallahassee. He has a lot of connections there at Florida State; they make him feel extremely comfortable when he’s there in Tallahassee. And this is a big visit, not only for him Florida State but for Texas. They’ve put all their chips in, he’s an elite running back; they want him to be that next Bijan Robinson in Austin. I think the interest there [with Florida State]. Can they flip him? Only time will tell. But FSU, I think now, has become a threat to Texas.”

Cedric Baxter Scouting Summary

“Big-framed runner with home run ability. Went from a versatile athlete to a bell cow back in his junior season. Has the largest frame of top running backs in the 2023 cycle, checking in at over 6-foot-1 and around 205 pounds prior to his senior season. Gets downhill quickly. Shows the ability to make cuts at full speed in tight quarters. Efficient in his cuts with little wasted movement. Has the stride and on-field play speed to pull away once in the open field.

…Received a heavy workload as a junior. Capable of running with power and has shown signs of a dangerous stiff arm. Productive in Florida’s top classification as a junior, rushing for 1,651 yards and 22 touchdowns. Draws on his background as a wide receiver as a pass catcher out of the backfield. A natural pass catcher with quickness in his routes. Among the better pass-catching running backs in the 2023 cycle. — Charles Power, On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings