Jaramiah McCloud of Gadsden County and Lazen Wiggins of Richards, two local prospects, are still interested in playing football for Florida State.
Florida State football remains in the recruiting picture for local prospects Jalen Wiggins of Rickards and Jeramiah McCloud of Gadsden County.
McCloud and Wiggins are two of the top prospects in the Tallahassee area in the Class of 2025.
While both defensive linemen have verbally committed to the Florida Gators, neither has ruled anything out regarding FSU.
On Wednesday, the UF recruits attended Mike Norvell’s 7-on-7 camp.
Wiggins participated as a tight end for Rickards, while McCloud sat out to watch his Gadsden County teammates.
The next day, he committed to the Gators.
McCloud doesn’t regret his decision.
“I did commit early, and I can live with that decision,” McCloud said. “I don’t feel like I did anything wrong. I just feel it’s right decision for me.”
McCloud still plans on taking an official visit to FSU, and is leaning toward visiting on Oct. 5, when the Seminoles play Clemson.
Defensive line coach Odell Haggins has been in communication with McCloud throughout the process.
Other schools that are still in the picture are USC and Georgia. He plans on visiting both schools, but he has not made a date yet.
“Usually, I tried to keep a level head through it all,” McCloud said. “Me, I was late to come out of there, so lately, I’m still fresh out of recruiting, so people still hit me up like every day.”
Jalen Wiggins has close relationship with former FSU great, Ernie Sims
Wiggin has communicated with most of the FSU coaching staff during the recruiting process. While he participated in the 7-on-7 camp as a tight end, he plans on playing defensive end at the next level.
“It’s been good,” Wiggins said.
“They (Seminoles) still have been keeping in contact with me. All of them texted me last night. They were all excited for me to come here today. It’s been pretty good so far. ”
However, Wiggins’s biggest connection comes from former FSU linebacker Ernie Sims.
Sims played eight seasons in the NFL after a decorated career at FSU and currently serves as a defensive analyst for the Seminoles. For Wiggins to connect with a fellow Tallahassee native meant a lot to the four-star prospect.
“I know Ernie Sims is a high name here out here,” Wiggins said. “Just the fact that he’s from here it is one of the things that makes it so great.”
Wiggins committed to the Gators on Jan. 15 and plans to visit Gainesville this weekend. He also plans to visit FSU later this month and is considering Stanford, which he visited last weekend.
“I’m taking these schools and figuring out which is the best fit for me,” Wiggins said.
Wiggins wants to ensure that his questions are answered when he visits FSU. That will be his approach the next time he visits.
“Basically, how can I fit into the scheme and everything,” Wiggins said. “How well for me personally and how well I fit in the FSU program. ”
Jeremiah McCloud, Jalen Wiggins on the same team together? It almost happened
Imagine McCloud and Wiggins on the same high school team together? Both UF commits almost made it happen, according to Wiggins.
They certainly would’ve been a handful for high school coaches.
McCloud, 6-foot-4, 300 pounds, is projected to play interior tackle. Wiggins, at 6-foot-5 and 250 pounds, is expected to be an edge player at the next level.
The two local talents have connected with each other throughout their recruiting process.
“It’s good to stay with him even though we don’t go to school together, Wiggins said. “We still have a great relationship with each other.
“We tried to be on the same team together, but it didn’t work out. But it’ll be good to play with him.”