Spring Tour hits Jacksonville: Latest on Matthews; star emerges at Trinity
STOP No. 1: JACKSONVILLE (TRINITY CHRISTIAN)
The Warchant.com Spring Recruiting Tour is back for yet another year as we hit the road to catch up with some of the top targets on the board for Florida State. And we begin this year with the talent-rich area of Duval County.
Jacksonville's Trinity Christian, which is home to FSU wide receiver commitment DJ Matthews, is first on our list. Next up will be Jacksonville Sandalwood, where FSU linebacker commitment Bradley Jennings is taking part in spring practice.
Rivals100 WR commit 'solid' in pledge, but will take visits
Trinity Christian standout WR DJ Matthews has been committed to Florida State for two years now, and Matthews says his commitment remains very firm at this point. But the four-star wide receiver admits he is still listening to what other schools have to say.
"I'm solid to them (the Seminoles) and feel a lot of love for them," Matthews said. "But I'm also still looking at other places to make sure."
While Matthews is keeping his options at least slightly open, he's also doing the best he can to help FSU land a stellar 2017 signing class. Matthews recently had a conversation with FSU receivers coach Lawrence Dawsey about leading this class for the 'Noles, and Matthews feels he's ready for that role.
"Actually, me and Coach Dawsey chatted yesterday," Matthews said. "He wants me to be the ringleader of the program for the 2017 class, and I accept that role. I let people (recruits) know that FSU can put you in the right position and reach your goals."
Matthews said his main approach with other prospects is to outline the positives he has seen at FSU and explain how they can achieve their goals there.
"I tell them it's not easy. You have to come here and compete hard," Matthews said. "I talk with Jamyest Williams a lot, and he likes FSU a lot, but he's also enjoying the recruiting process. So I'm trying to get him here."
Matthews said he watched closely as the Seminoles' 2016 signing class took shape and ended up ranked No. 1 or No. 2 nationally by various media outlets.
"It's exciting," he said. "It lets me know that we have a good chance to win another national championship, just like the 2013 team. Everybody knows we are coming and coming hard."
Click here for the rest of our report from Trinity Christian, including how Matthews expects to be used at Florida State and what other recruits he hopes to lure to Tallahassee. We also take a closer look at other top prospects from Trinity, including a sophomore phenom.
-------------------------------------