Florida State Football: 'Noles Land Commit from Rising CB Recruit

Florida State landed its ninth commitment for the 2013 class this afternoon when Dothan (AL) Northview cornerback Marquez White pulled the trigger for Jimbo Fisher’s squad immediately upon receiving his offer. 

“I just committed an hour ago,” White said.  “Anyone that knows me knows that I’ve been the biggest Florida State fan since I was six years old.  Coach Dameyune Craig is the coach who is recruiting me for FSU.  He was on me hard for a long time, but he knew it [FSU] is where I wanted to be.”

The 6’1”, 175-pounder—who is rated as a 3* prospect by 247 Sports—is also a standout on the hardwood, where he averaged 19.3 points, 10.3 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game in his junior season.

He hails from the same high school that produced former Seminole All-American wide receiver and current wide receivers coach Lawrence Dawsey and former Seminole power forward Xavier Gibson. 

White—who also plans to also play point guard for the FSU hoops team—had received attention as a basketball prospect, but the interest in him on the gridiron has taken off recently.

White reports that he has around 15 or 16 offers to date for football—with Minnesota being the first to tender, but they were joined by SEC powers Ole Miss and Alabama as well as heavy interest from powers USC and Tennessee.

“Alabama was on me really hard,” White said.  “I talked with Coach [Jeremy] Pruitt and Coach [Nick] Saban recently, and they really seemed to like me.”

While White is relieved to have his college destination known, he still may not be done with the recruiting process entirely—with a previously scheduled visit to a West Coast powerhouse still in the works.

“I’m going to visit USC on June 23,” White said.  “The [FSU] coaches encouraged me to take my visits and enjoy the process, but my commitment is solid because I know that’s where I want to go.  Your word is your bond, and I know what I did today [committing] is the best decision for me.”

Even though White lives in a state that is home to a pair of SEC powerhouses, he has always been enamored with the Seminoles' basketball and football programs. 

“I went to about six or seven basketball games this past year, and I visited for football when they played Oklahoma last year,” White said.  “I just like the environment there.  Plus, my whole family is full of Florida State fans, so I’m just really excited about it.”

Sanjay Kirpalani is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes were obtained first-hand.

Follow @skirp1