Report: Big Ten's Sack Leader Plans Official Visit To Florida State
Florida State's defensive front will take a big hit in 2024 with star pass-rusher Jared Verse making the leap to the professional level. The Seminoles are already taking steps towards addressing the need in the NCAA Transfer Portal after signing former Georgia defensive end Marvin Jones Jr. earlier in December.
With that being said, the coaching staff is staying active in the portal and their diligence will pay off with a legitimate shot at one of the top transfers on the market. FSU is expected to host former Purdue defensive end Nic Scourton for an official visit in early January, according to The Athletic's Bruce Feldman. It's also anticipated that Scourton will make his way to Louisville as he also evaluates interest from Colorado, Georgia, Missouri, and Texas A&M.
Scourton is coming off a standout campaign where he was named Second-Team All-Big Ten. He led the conference in sacks after recording 50 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, three pass deflections, and one forced fumble while playing 701 snaps. Scourton was tied for a top-10 spot in the FBS in total sacks. The 6-foot-4, 280-pound edge recorded a career-high ten tackles, three tackles for loss, and 0.5 sacks in Purdue's loss to Nebraska in October.
The Texas native signed with the Boilermakers under former head coach Jeff Brohm as a four-star prospect in the 2022 class. He totaled 22 tackles, two tackles for loss, and two sacks in ten games during his first year with the program.
Florida State has made the edge position a priority in this recruiting cycle while trying to add experienced talent to the room alongside redshirt junior Gilber Edmond, redshirt sophomore Patrick Payton, redshirt sophomore Byron Turner, true freshman Lamont Green Jr., and incoming signee DD Holmes.
The Seminoles have a history of producing high-caliber defensive ends under head coach Mike Norvell. FSU has sent Jermaine Johnson and Keir Thomas to the NFL ranks after both players joined the program as transfers. Verse will join the list in the near future and there's a chance he's selected in the first round of the draft like Johnson was.
Scourton is expected to have two seasons of eligibility remaining. He's the No. 9 overall prospect and the No. 2 defensive lineman in the transfer portal according to 247Sports.
READ MORE: Mike Norvell Discusses Tate Rodemaker's Decision To Transfer From Florida State
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