Florida State football beats major West Coast programs for linebacker recruit Blake Nichelson

Florida State has not signed many high school recruits like Blake Nichelson in recent memory.

Which is why the Seminoles receiving a verbal commitment from the 2023 linebacker Tuesday could be one of their most impressive recruiting wins under head coach Mike Norvell to date.

At least according to the two major recruiting services – 247Sports (No. 11 linebacker, No. 132 overall) and On3 (No. 16 linebacker, No. 189 overall) – that give the Manteca (Calif.) High product a top 200 overall ranking and four-star evaluation. Rivals (No. 32 linebacker, unranked overall) values Nichelson as a three-star recruit.

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Not since the 2016 class has FSU signed a high school linebacker with a higher overall recruiting ranking than Nichelson, per 247Sports. Since 247Sports launched in 2010, Nichelson would be tied for its sixth-highest ranked recruit that the Seminoles have signed from a high school west of Tennessee.

And between the 2020-2024 classes under Norvell, former Gilbert (Ariz.) Perry quarterback Chubba Purdy represents the only other high school recruit west of Texas who signed with FSU or is a current verbal commit. Purdy transferred to Nebraska this past offseason.

The Seminoles not only landed one of their best linebackers in the last decade. But they also managed to fend off practically every major West Coast program from keeping Nichelson on their side of the country.

Nichelson named Oregon, UCLA and FSU as his top three schools. USC, Washington, Arizona and Arizona State were among other schools to offer him a scholarship.

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How FSU beat Oregon, UCLA for Blake Nichelson

FSU hiring Darrick Yray as its general manager of personnel in February played a major role in Nichelson’s recruitment.

Yray knew Nichelson from his time as Oregon State’s director of player personnel. Not to mention Yray is a native of Linden, Calif., which is approximately 20 miles northeast of Manteca.

On May 3, the Seminoles offered Nichelson. Then they hosted him for a June 17-19 official visit and July 28-31 unofficial visit. He spent much of his time with Yray and linebackers coach Randy Shannon during those visits.

Norvell also was involved in Nichelson’s recruitment. Nichelson told the Democrat that Norvell called him the morning after FSU defeated LSU on Sept. 4.

“Having the head coach call me after a big win like that just really shows their interest level in me. That is a great look,” Nichelson said. “They reached out to me and asked, ‘What did you think about the win?’ They were talking about, ‘I told you how we were going to use our talent this year. You could be a part of that as well.’”

The Seminoles currently have seven scholarship linebackers: redshirt juniors Kalen DeLoach, Tatum Bethune, Amari Gainer and Brendan Gant, redshirt sophomores DJ Lundy and Stephen Dix Jr., freshman Omar Graham Jr.

Nichelson would join that group, along with fellow verbal pledge Duluth (Ga.) High’s Demarco Ward.

“I had a great impression of them, especially after that (LSU) game,” Nichelson said. “The way they play linebacker is, they are kind of all over the place. That is kind of how I play already. So that is a good look for them. And also seeing one of their linebackers (DJ Lundy) score on offense was pretty cool too.”

With Nichelson, FSU now has 15 commits in its 2023 class. 247Sports, On3 and Rivals now rank the class No. 19, 20 and 28 nationally.

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Eye-popping statistics

Nichelson has established himself as quite the high school linebacker.

He might be even more prolific as a running back.

In 13 games as a high school junior last season, Nichelson recorded 49 tackles, 11 tackles for a loss and seven sacks while turning 208 carries into a staggering 2,231 yards and 36 touchdowns. He also caught 19 passes for 381 yards and seven scores.

Through four games this season, Nichelson has 10 tackles, one tackle for a loss and four pass breakups while rushing for 472 yards and 10 touchdowns on 54 carries. He also has nine receptions for 164 yards and four scores.

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Florida State's 2023 recruiting class

Below are the 15 recruits currently committed to Florida State's 2023 class, along with what their ranking is on 247Sports.

Wide Receiver

Three-star Vandrevius Jacobs - Vero Beach High - Fort Pierce, Fla. - No. 78 wide receiver

Three-star Darren "Goldie" Lawrence - Seminole High - Sanford, Fla. - No. 42 wide receiver

Offensive Line

Four-star Lucas Simmons - Clearwater Academy International - Clearwater, Fla. - No. 8 offensive tackle, No. 60 overall

Four-star Roderick Kearney - Orange Park High - Orange Park, Fla. - No. 6 interior offensive lineman, No. 155 overall

Running back

Four-star Samuel Singleton - Fleming Island - Orange Park, Fla. - No. 14 running back

Defensive End

Four-star Lamont Green Jr. - Gulliver Prep - Miami - No. 26 edge rusher, No. 226 overall

Junior college transfer Jaden Jones - Hutchinson CC - Montgomery, Ala. - Unranked

Four-star Keldric Faulk - Highland Home - Highland Home, Ala. - No. 14 defensive lineman, No. 115 overall

Defensive Tackle

Four-star Keith Sampson Jr. - New Bern High - New Bern, N.C. - No. 22 defensive lineman, No. 145 overall

Three-star Tavion Gadson - Jenkins - Savannah, Ga. - No. 53 defensive lineman

Linebacker

Four-star Blake Nichelson - Manteca High - Manteca, Calif. - No. 11 linebacker, No. 132 overall

Three-star DeMarco Ward - Duluth High - Duluth, Ga. - No. 106 linebacker

Defensive Back

Four-star Kenton Kirkland - Raines - Jacksonville, Fla. - No. 28 safety

Three-star Quindarrius Jones - Meridian High - Meridian, Ms. - No. 105 athlete

Three-star Ja'Bril Rawls - Pensacola Catholic - Pensacola, Fla. - No. 95 cornerback

Reach Carter Karels at ckarels@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter @CarterKarels. You can also follow our coverage on Facebook (NoleSports) and Instagram (tlhnolesports).

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU football recruiting: Linebacker Blake Nichelson commits to Seminoles