Levonta Taylor to FSU: Seminoles Land 5-Star CB Prospect

Levonta Taylor has chosen Florida State after generating interest from plenty of top programs around the country. It provides a major boost to the Seminoles' 2016 recruiting class, per 247 Sports.

Taylor is a 5-star prospect who rates inside the top 25 nationally, according to 247Sports' composite rankings. He's also listed among the elite cornerbacks in the class and as the best player coming out of the state of Virginia.

Along with his work on defense, he's also excelled as a wide receiver at Ocean Lakes High School. He projects as a corner over the long haul, but the coaching staff will surely keep that versatility in mind as he begins to make the transition.

The high-upside prospect enjoys playing on the defensive side. He explained why it's so fun to Lee Tolliver of The Virginian-Pilot.

"I love defense because I can stick people. I can stick them on offense, too, if they can catch me," he said.

Perhaps the only major knock against Taylor is his size. At 5'10'' and 170 pounds, as listed by 247Sports, he doesn't fit the mold of a modern corner. Most teams are looking for bigger, stronger defensive backs capable of winning physical battles at the line of scrimmage.

He doesn't shy away from contact, though, and he makes up for a lack of height with a terrific skill set that should allow him to become a standout playmaker at the collegiate level. Jamie Uyeyama of SonofaCoach.com highlighted some of the strengths in his game:

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Taylor is so natural in his backpedal and and his acceleration when he plants and breaks on the football is outstanding. His footwork is so good and he has very little wasted motion. His closing speed is elite and he can run with just about any receiver.

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Those are all of the things coaching staffs look for in a young defensive back. That's why he's still ranked among the best prospects in the class despite the lack of an ideal frame. He can still go out, make key plays and change the course of a game.

The question now is how quickly he can make an impact. Obviously, the answer should become clearer in the months ahead. For now, it wouldn't be a surprise if he helps on special teams and select defensive packages before working his way into a bigger role in a year or two.

All told, Taylor is an exciting player worth tracking in the years ahead.