Schools to Watch After 4-Star LB Vandarius Cowan Decommits from FSU

Florida State suffered a significant recruiting loss Sunday less than 24 hours after experiencing its first defeat of the 2015 season. 

The Seminoles, beaten by Georgia Tech in dramatic fashion Saturday night, lost a verbal pledge from prized in-state linebacker Vandarius Cowan. The Palm Beach Gardens High School junior shared his intentions on Twitter, per Patrick Maks of the Sun Sentinel.

“It was a very hard decision and took a lot of time," wrote Cowan, who initially committed to Florida State in June. 

The 6'3", 221-pound prospect rates seventh nationally among outside linebackers in 2017 composite rankings. An impressive physcal frame provides potential for him to line up at defensive end in college, making Cowan a versatile playmaker off the edge.

He possesses highly valued range in the defensive front seven, so it's no surprise that collegiate programs approached him as an underclassman. Cowan collected scholarship offers from Florida State, Florida, Auburn, Georgia and Notre Dame before the end of his sophomore year.

An early pledge was partially fueled by a lifelong affinity for the Seminoles.

"I always grew up a Florida State fan," Cowan told Chris Nee of 247Sports. "It is just one of those things. It made it better when they offered me. I wasn't expecting it, at so young in high school."

However, his pact with the program ultimately lasted less than five months. Still another high school season away from signing a national letter of intent, Cowan's decommitment is sure to draw expansive attention from coaching staffs across the county.

Miami was the last team to see him in person prior to his change of plans. The Hurricanes hosted Cowan on campus Saturday for a record-setting loss that led to head coach Al Golden's dismissal. 

Expect Cowan to keep a close eye on how things progress in Coral Gables. Regardless of how many Miami coaches are retained moving forward, the Hurricanes should continue to ardently pursue the local standout under a new regime.

"

 pic.twitter.com/cVLEm8NqNM

— Loco Ocho #8 (@vandarius98) October 25, 2015"

Significant interest from the Florida Gators gives Cowan another in-state option to consider. Defensive assistant Randy Shannon, a former Miami Hurricanes head coach and linebacker, has done an excellent job targeting fertile south Florida recruiting territory during his short tenure in Gainesville. 

The Gators are underway with a solid 2017 class, carrying commitments from 4-star quarterback-receiver duo Jake Allen and Daquon Green. Gaining a pledge from Cowan would give the program a defensive building block in a cycle that should steadily prove positive for Florida as it gains momentum on the field. 

SEC rival Georgia is another university worth noting in this recruitment. The Bulldogs, already holding three 4-star 2017 pledges, previously impressed Cowan as he sorted through possible landing spots.

Cowan listed Georgia as his No. 2 university earlier this month, according to Chris Kirschner of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The Bulldogs staff will attempt to line up a campus visit in the near future as he seeks a fresh start.

Notre Dame is another out-of-state school that's maintained its pursuit even while Cowan was committed to Florida State. Those efforts should only intensify now that he's parted ways with the Seminoles.

"

137 letters From ND  pic.twitter.com/ldZHV5yGoL

— Loco Ocho #8 (@vandarius98) September 4, 2015"

North Carolina and LSU each extended offers earlier this season, giving him a lengthy list of alternatives to explore as he reopens things. Expect this collection of contenders to grow in the aftermath of his announcement, providing plenty of intrigue for the remainder of a recruiting cycle that's starting to heat up.

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