Why Ex-Florida Commit 5-Star WR Ermon Lane Is a Lock to Florida State

The Florida State Seminoles will be holding their breath on national signing day (Feb. 5), when several of the nation’s top prospects make their commitment.

But that won’t be the case when it comes to 5-star wide receiver Ermon Lane.

Set to make his decision at 10 a.m. ET on Wednesday, the Homestead, Fla., native will have the entire city of Tallahassee patiently awaiting the good news. It’s highly expected that he will follow his best friend, 5-star running back Dalvin Cook, to Florida State.

In fact, it would be a shock of seismic proportions if Lane did not.

The biggest factor working in the Seminoles' favor is certainly the allure of playing with Cook. 

During their recruitment process, Lane and Cook were largely considered a package deal. So, it came as no surprise when Cook committed to Florida last April that Lane did the same four months later.

However, Cook’s flip to Florida State on Dec. 31 changed things.

“We’re like best friends, so you know, we got each other’s back,” Lane said of Cook shortly after the news, via The Orlando Sentinel’s Edgar Thompson. “I’m going to be thinking hard. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to Florida State because he flipped.”

On the contrary, maybe it does.

A little after Cook’s announcement, Lane followed suit by decommitting from the Gators: 

Lane might claim Cook’s decision had no impact on his, but he isn’t fooling anybody.

Then again, who could really blame Lane? The opportunity to play alongside your best friend at the collegiate level—for the defending national champions no less—is a hard offer to pass up.

Catching passes from heralded quarterback and 2013 Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston doesn’t sound too bad, either.

Another factor sure to woo Lane is the chance for immediate playing time, which is something that became a real possibility with the Seminoles losing two of their top three leading receivers—Kenny Shaw and Kelvin Benjamin (NFL)—for 2014.

That opens the door for Lane to move in and become Winston’s No. 2 target after soon-to-be senior Rashad Greene.

But the biggest reason Lane is believed to be a lock is because of the absence of any other true competitor for his signature.

After decommitting from Florida, the No. 3-ranked receiver and No. 24 overall prospect only made one visit to a school. That was to Florida State.

Sure, Miami could be considered a contender. But that’s more for its location than anything else.

Judging from 247Sports’ Crystal Ball predictions, Lane has a 93 percent chance of playing his college football in Tallahassee.

Dating back to Jan. 24, the last 22 experts have him headed to the Seminoles. Going further back to Dec. 31—the date Cook decommitted from the Gators—Florida State was chosen in 69 of 70 predictions.

Although Lane will wait till Wednesday to make his final decision, it’s more of a formality than anything else. Like every other high school kid, he’s just looking for his 15 minutes of fame.

And judging by his skill set, those 15 minutes will just be the beginning of a long, successful career for the talented receiver. 

Unless otherwise noted, all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.

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