FSU football has already secured one linebacker prospect in the 2025 recruiting cycle in four-star Ethan Pritchard from Seminole High School in Sanford (FL). However, the hope is that the Seminoles can obtain at least two more to solidify depth at the position.
Linebacker recruiting is one position that numerous fans have discussed. To be fair, Florida State will have to replace the likes of redshirt seniors Tatum Bethune and Kalen DeLoach who have their eligibility exceed after the 2023 season. Luckily, the Seminoles were able to retain redshirt junior DJ Lundy, who originally committed to Colorado.
Florida State has a starter in Lundy for the 2024 season, but they will have to find a pairing mate alongside him. Can one of Omar Graham Jr., Blake Nichelson, or Justin Cryer be a candidate to elevate their role in the defense?
While I understand that the linebacker position is not as vital in today’s college football landscape, defenses still need them to be able to stop the run as well as go sideline to sideline when opposing offenses try to spread them out. The Seminoles run a 4-2-5 defensive scheme for the majority of the time so linebacker is thought to be valued differently.
One linebacker prospect in the 2025 recruiting cycle that is on the Seminoles’ radar is four-star Mantrez Walker from Buford (GA). He announced that he would be visiting Florida State on Saturday, January 27th.
While I get that fans suffer from PTSD when thinking about prospects from Buford (GA) because of former five-star safety KJ Bolden (who flipped from Florida State to Georgia on Signing Day), it is worth noting that Walker is a prospect of need due to the position that he plays.
Florida State has already received a crystal ball prediction for four-star linebacker target Tavion Wallace recently. If the Seminoles find a way to get Ethan Pritchard, Tavion Wallace, and Mantrez Walker, that would be a tremendous haul for the coaching staff.
