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00:00 >> Obviously physically visit FSU, just what was the takeaway from this trip?
00:05 >> Really cool place, kind of magical being here.
00:08 I've never actually been to Tallahassee before, never been to FSU.
00:12 It's a really cool place, I love the people here.
00:15 I didn't get to meet a lot of the players, but
00:17 I'll talk to them a little bit, it's a pretty cool place.
00:20 >> When you entered the portal, why was FSU one of the places,
00:23 as plenty of places came calling that you wanted to check out and get a look?
00:27 >> Well, just everything behind FSU, FSU's reputation,
00:33 what they've done these past couple years, this coaching staff.
00:36 Looking at me, a guy from a smaller school,
00:40 believing in someone like me is just really cool.
00:42 >> What was kind of the conversations you've had in the last, I guess, 48 hours,
00:47 since you've been here with Coach Atkins and Coach Norville?
00:49 >> Yeah, so the big thing was, if it's the right fit for me,
00:53 the place, if this is the place I wanna be and that's the decision I've gotta make.
00:57 I've still got other places I wanna look at, and I'll be doing that this week.
01:01 I've gotta make my decision this weekend, but
01:04 they talked about make sure it's the right fit.
01:07 They're not pressuring me to do anything, which I really appreciate, and
01:11 the fit is what's most important for them and me.
01:13 >> You put tackle at firm, and are they looking at you as a tackle, or
01:16 is it potentially moving inside?
01:18 >> Guard, they're looking at me for guard.
01:20 They lost both their starting guards this year, so I'm a big need at guard,
01:24 I would say, tackle, I'm a little undersized, so
01:28 the guard would definitely be the position for me.
01:30 >> What stands out to you about the way Coach Atkins coaches,
01:33 how they, what they do in offense, you think that's a good fit for you?
01:36 >> I think Coach Atkins, he's very smart, he knows what he's looking for,
01:39 he knows what he's doing.
01:41 I think he knows how to individualize guys and take their strong suits and
01:44 make them better, and then take their weaknesses and kind of make that better.
01:49 >> Talking about comfort, fit, what did you feel this weekend, or
01:52 just the week, around either the coaches, or just in general the situation at FSU?
01:57 >> I thought the coaches, they brought a really good atmosphere here.
02:00 They weren't, like I said, they weren't pressuring me.
02:04 They weren't, this is what you got to come here, all this and that.
02:07 They were all about, it was all about me, it wasn't about them,
02:10 which I really appreciate that.
02:12 That's what I'm looking for as well, it's kind of family oriented,
02:17 not really all about you, it's about the players.
02:20 >> Did you get a chance to meet with Coach Norvell?
02:21 >> Yes, sir. >> And so
02:22 what was his message to you?
02:24 >> Coach Norvell, he wanted me to go and look at other places.
02:27 He wanted me to experience something that not a lot of people get to experience.
02:32 My recruiting process through high school was not much.
02:34 I got a few looks, but ended up going to Furman.
02:37 So he's like, make sure it's the fit.
02:39 Make sure this is the place you want to be.
02:41 Go see all the other places that want to see you.
02:44 All these other places that believe in you.
02:46 Ask the questions, why do they believe in you?
02:48 >> Now, what are all those other places here you're gonna visit before you
02:52 make your decision?
02:52 >> Going up to South Carolina today, and then potentially NC State and Duke as well.
02:59 But I got a lot of places looking at me, I can't go to all of them.
03:03 So I'm trying to make the top ones that I could go to.
03:07 >> Now, was Todd Fordham coaching at Bowles when you were there?
03:09 >> No, sir, he was not.
03:10 But he did back when fifth grade, fourth grade, junior development league.
03:15 He coached in our junior development league, so that was pretty cool.
03:19 But his son, he's up at NC State, which is pretty cool.
03:22 >> I know it's hard for you cuz you played at Furman, but
03:25 just watching what FSU's done on the field, and just their product,
03:28 their building, was that a part into it as well?
03:32 >> Yes, sir, yeah, I mean, I think they can develop my game more than what it's been.
03:36 Obviously, with all the resources they've got here, the coaches,
03:40 the treatment, everything, it's something that can elevate me in my game.
03:45 >> What is it that you're looking for in another college?
03:48 >> I'm looking for a place that kinda matches my play style.
03:51 This place definitely does.
03:52 They like to run counter, GT counter, some pin bowl, I like that.
03:57 I'm also looking for kind of how the coaches interact with one another and
04:01 how the coaches interact with players.
04:03 I got to see how they were with all the other coaches.
04:05 It seems like one big family, so that's kinda what I was looking for.
04:08 >> You said decision probably after the weekend,
04:11 you had a hard day for yourself.
04:13 >> Yeah, probably after Saturday, that's when I'm gonna make my final decision and
04:17 kinda release everything.
04:18 So I still have lots of places I need to see, lots of people I need to talk to.
04:24 >> Anybody outside of Florida State and South Carolina involved?
04:27 >> NC State, Duke, they've been talking with them as well.
04:30 But yeah, NC State, Duke, Florida, South Carolina, it's my top four, really.
04:35 >> Thank you, Pearson.