Cyrus Fagan Names Leaders: Which Program Is Best Fit for 4-Star DB?

Standout Florida defensive back Cyrus Fagan is focused on a pair of college football programs that contend for championships on a perennial basis.

The 4-star safety identified Alabama and Florida State as front-runners for his commitment during a discussion with Ryan Bartow of 247Sports. His decision, however, won't arrive for at least another 16 months.

Fagan, a junior at Mainland High School in Daytona Beach, doesn't intend to announce collegiate plans until after the 2017 Under Armour All-American Game. This approach allots him two full football seasons to weigh a list of scholarship options that includes more than 20 universities.

The 6'0", 170-pound prospect picked up offers from the Seminoles, South Carolina, Clemson, West Virginia, USC and Wisconsin last winter. Alabama entered the race shortly after his sophomore year.

Fagan, rated fifth nationally among safeties in 2017 composite rankings, collected 83 tackles and five interceptions in 2014. He also tallied three touchdowns for the Sunshine State powerhouse.

The Seminoles have been an outright favorite in this recruitment for quite some time. It was a school he eyed earlier in this process, even prior to a Florida State offer. 

"I like them a lot and that's where my mom wants me to go," Fagan told Chris Hays of the Orlando Sentinel in January.

His affinity for Florida State continues to develop, as the Seminoles have been a publicly declared leader for months.

“It’s right down the road from the home, great program, I like how Jimbo [Fisher] coaches, and I grew up loving them," he told Luke Stampini of 247Sports this summer.

Former high school teammate A.J. Westbrook is a freshman defensive back at Florida State. The duo dominated together at Mainland and could reconnect in Tallahassee.

"He's like a big brother to me and he took me to a couple of FSU games with him so I can get that experience early," Fagan told Hays.

He expects to visit the Seminoles at least once this season. Fagan aims to attend Florida State's Oct. 17 game against Louisville, per Bartow.

Florida State enjoys significant depth in the defensive backfield, highlighted by 5-star 2015 signees Derwin James and Tarvarus McFadden. The Seminoles claim commitments from several secondary standouts in the 2016 cycle, including top-ranked cornerback Levonta Taylor.

Fagan would also encounter a crowded depth chart in Tuscaloosa after Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban signed eight 4- or 5-star defensive backs during the past two cycles. Alabama already holds six commitments in its 2017 class, which sits atop SEC class rankings.

Alabama extended a scholarship in late May and immediately captured Fagan's attention. He traveled to the university this summer for a camp and told Bartow the school is his second option behind Florida State.

"It's just wonderful there," Fagan said. "It's all about Alabama. It is a football state."

If Fagan lands in the SEC, Alabama appears to be the likely destination. Expect Crimson Tide conference rivals Florida and LSU to continue chasing the coveted safety.

Fagan, who rates 75th overall in 2017 composite rankings, firmly looks like a Florida State lean at this stage. The Seminoles present an outstanding match when it comes to defensive schematics and program familiarity.

Seemingly destined for a lengthy recruiting process, Fagan may factor in other emerging contenders moving forward. For now, Florida State is the prohibitive favorite and an excellent fit for the in-state ball hawk.

Tyler Donohue is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. All player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports' composite ratings. Follow Tyler via Twitter: @TDsTake.