5-star Texas commit Cedric Baxter has high praise for FSU running game, spirit after visit

During a key recruiting weekend for the Florida State football program, a former Seminoles verbal commit and current Texas pledge — five-star running back Cedric Baxter Jr. — made his way to campus and came away praising the direction of the Seminoles’ program.

One of the most talented prospects in the country, Baxter currently is the nation’s No. 1 running back in the 2023 class and the No. 22 overall player in On3’s rankings.

And even though the Seminoles fell to No. 4 Clemson, 34-28, Baxter clearly came away impressed with the FSU rushing attack as well as the coaching staff and program overall.

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“It was a great game. They came short, but it was definitely a great game. What I wanted to see, I’ve seen,” Baxter said. “Being able to run the ball, I believe Clemson only gave up, on the year, 2.2 yards per carry. And Florida State averaged over 6, almost 7 last night. That’s a great thing. … They’ve been doing it effectively all season.”

The Longhorns commit is also the No. 5 player in the talent-rich state of Florida and the No. 42 overall prospect in On3’s consensus industry composite rankings.

Among other questions, Baxter was asked Sunday why he visited FSU this weekend.

“I tell people all the time, I grew up a Florida State fan. Just watching the way they play, I am definitely watching every Saturday,” Baxter said. “Seeing them play Clemson, with how good they have been doing this year, I wanted to get up and watch them play.”

Baxter broke down his relationship with FSU head coach Mike Norvell and explained why his stance has improved on the direction of the ’Noles’ program.

“Coach Norvell definitely feels like the plays they were making last night, he feels like I’m a fit with those plays and the system that they run,” Baxter said. “Before it was more, ‘Watch what we do, watch what we do.’ It was more, they were telling me their vision, and I couldn’t really see it at first when they got here. …

“Now, you can really see the vision and the growth that they’ve made and the progress that they’ve made.”

While he doesn’t have definite plans for an FSU official visit just yet, Baxter did express an interest in possibly returning to Tallahassee in December. “I am not really sure yet. Because if I do come, I wanted to come in December. Not during a game.”

The five-star prospect, who also raved about the atmosphere for Saturday’s game, continued on FSU running backs coach David Johnson and their strong relationship.

“I tell people all the time, he’s definitely a down-to-earth, genuine person. A lot of coaches, they love talking ball, ball, ball,” Baxter said. “But I feel like if you can meet somebody that isn’t all about ball and genuinely cares for who you are and your family and stuff like that, then you can follow the vision. I definitely believe that’s what he is.”

When Baxter watched current FSU running backs Lawrance Toafili and Trey Benson against Clemson, he said their performance, “shows that they’ve been coached up well.”

He added that a lot can be learned about the way the Seminoles competed in the fourth quarter and gave themselves a chance to win the game.

“Not having [Treshaun Ward] and seeing the others step up, that just shows they are all being coached well,” Baxter said. “They’ve grown, you can tell they have a foundation set and they’ve growing by that. These three games they lost, top-15 teams, but it’s almost like one play away from winning. So they’ve definitely grown.”

Even with FSU currently standing at 4-3 overall, Baxter sees something building in Tallahassee.

“Coach Norvell came as soon as they saw me, Coach YAC (Johnson) did the same, that just shows that I am a priority. Really, I’ve seen everything I’ve wanted to see,” Baxter said. “Them being able to run the ball effectively. And they did it against the best defensive line in the country. …

“I definitely believe that it can only go up from here. You know, players are bonding. And as the recruiting classes keep coming in. they’ll definitely be getting better and better.”

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