5-Star Byron Cowart Names Auburn, Florida as Top 2, but Could New Hire Help FSU?

Thursday was an example of just how hectic recruiting can be for players like 5-star defensive end Byron Cowart.

According to ESPN.com’s Derek Tyson (via Keith Niebuhr of AuburnUndercover), Cowart has trimmed his list down to a final two of Auburn and Florida.

"I would have to say, just to be honest, Auburn and Florida are my top two schools," Cowart told Tyson. "I have to keep it professional—I have to. Who knows, you see coaches and they go into the league, and when it’s time for you to get drafted you don’t want to have a bad name. Right now, truly, it will come down to Auburn and Florida. That’s just being honest."

The team that was eliminated from his list was Florida State, likely due to the fact that defensive ends coach Sal Sunseri left the program for a position with the Oakland Raiders, per Josh Newberg of Noles247.

However, Jimbo Fisher moved quickly to fill the opening on his staff, hiring former Florida defensive ends coach Brad Lawing, according to Bob Ferrante of Noles247.

Lawing was involved in Cowart’s recruitment while he was with the Gators, but can his arrival in Tallahassee help the ‘Noles jump back into the race?

The answer to that question remains to be seen.

Florida has been considered the longtime favorite to eventually land the Armwood High School standout. Lawing was a big part of the Gators' push because of the strength of his relationship with Cowart’s mother, according to GatorBait.

"She was so tied in with Coach Lawing, and then she was really hurt when Coach Muschamp got fired, but everything worked out,” Cowart said in the aftermath of Lawing's dismissal by the Gators.

Part of what makes this hire so critical for FSU is Lawing’s lengthy history as a strong recruiter and his resume in developing first-round picks such as Melvin Ingram and Jadeveon Clowney in recent years, as noted by Chris Nee of Noles247.

Lawing’s primary focus will likely be to make sure that he can convince Cowart to make his planned official visit to Florida State on the weekend of Jan. 30.

Given Cowart’s history with Lawing and his previous interest in the ‘Noles, FSU will have to feel good about its chances if Cowart makes it to campus next weekend.

It’s also worth noting that both Auburn and Florida were able to stay on Cowart despite going through coaching changes in the last two months. In fact, part of what helped Auburn surge in Cowart’s recruitment was its hire of former Gators head coach Will Muschamp as the team's defensive coordinator.

Florida State is hoping Lawing can make a similar impact and get it back in the hunt to land the nation’s No. 3 overall prospect.

Sanjay Kirpalani is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.