Florida State football: Former standout recruit Demorie Tate announces plans to enter transfer portal

The highest-ranked high school recruit that Florida State has signed under coach Mike Norvell intends to leave the program.

Cornerback Demorie Tate – who struggled to see the field and live up to his lofty expectations in three seasons with the Seminoles – announced via social media Sunday that he plans to enter the transfer portal.

At Freedom High in Orlando, Tate emerged as a highly coveted recruit in the 2020 class. He held scholarship programs from several of the nation’s top programs, including Alabama, Georgia, Florida and Miami.

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"To begin I want to give a special thanks to my lord and savior Jesus Christ for this opportunity, without him I am nothing," Tate wrote in the Instagram post.

"To all staff, coaches, trainers, and teammates of the Florida State football organization, I couldn't be more thankful to have experienced each and every one of you, attending this University and being a part of this family was a dream come true for me. I also want to thank the academic department who was a helping hand whenever I needed it, you all will never be forgotten.

"With that being said I have entered the transfer portal with multiple years of eligiblity remaining."

The 2017 class marks the last time FSU signed a higher-ranked high school recruit than Tate, per 247Sports. Rivals considered Tate to be the third-highest ranked high school recruit to sign with the Seminoles during that span.

247Sports gave Tate a five-star rating, ranking him as its No. 3 cornerback and No. 22 overall player in the 2020 class. Tate held a four-star rating on Rivals, coming in as its No. 5 cornerback and No. 44 overall player.

As a true freshman in 2020, Tate took an academic redshirt. He then played in just one game last season, receiving action in a 59-3 blowout win over Massachusetts. Tate did not play in a game this season.

FSU has now lost 10 scholarship players to the transfer portal since the 45-day window began on Dec. 5. The Seminoles also landed verbal commitments from three transfers: defensive tackle Darrell Jackson Jr. (Miami) and tight ends Jaheim Bell (South Carolina) and Kyle Morlock (Shorter University)

Transfers lost

Offensive lineman Rod Orr

Offensive lineman Lloyd Willis

Wide receiver Keyshawn Helton

Defensive end George Wilson Jr.

Defensive end Shambre Jackson

Defensive tackle Jarrett Jackson

Linebacker Amari Gainer

Cornerback Demorie Tate

Safety Sidney Williams

Safety Sam McCall

Transfers gained

Tight end Kyle Morlock (Shorter University)

Tight end Jaheim Bell (South Carolina)

Defensive tackle Darrell Jackson Jr. (Miami)

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: Florida State football: Seminoles' Demorie Tate announces plans to transfer