Five-Star CB Charles Lester III nearly committed to Florida State during Friday visit

The Seminoles are trending in the right direction for one of the top prospects in the 2024 class.

Florida State got one of its most coveted targets in the 2024 class - five-star cornerback Charles Lester III - back on campus on Friday to open up the Seminole Legacy recruiting weekend. This was a crucial trip for the Seminoles as it marked Lester's first time meeting with new defensive backs coach Patrick Surtain Sr. In addition, he was able to meet with program great Jameis Winston, who offered him some advice.

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The experience blew Lester away, who stated his most recent trip to Tallahassee had the "biggest impact" on him thus far of any of his previous visits. In fact, he was close to pulling the trigger and publicly committing to Florida State prior to leaving campus.

"Every time I step on this campus, I mean, it just means the world to me. I'll bring my bags today if I can but today, it showed me a lot. It was the biggest impact of any other visit I had, coming here, being able to talk to Jameis Winston and seeing their first practice hitting. Usually, I don't see no hitting unless it's on gameday," Lester said to NoleGameday's Dustin Lewis. "To be able to get that experience, to see how they actually practice behind closed doors, it means the world to me. They show more and more love every time I come here. Everything you see is what you get, they're going to push you, they're not going to let you slack. This is just a dream come true. Like I said, I'll bring my bags today. I don't want to go home."

Lester arrived on Friday afternoon and was able to meet extensively with coach Surtain Sr. for the first time since he was hired by Florida State. He also took in a practice where he noticed a couple of different things than he had seen before.

"I seen a lot of different stuff from what I've seen when I was here before. Coach Surtain, he pushes his guys as much as any other coach out here," Lester said. "He does have unique characteristics about coaching cornerbacks. I'm coming back to keep learning from him, sit next to him while he's coaching his guys so I can maybe come play for him one day."

One of the highlights of the visit was meeting program great and former Heisman winner, Jameis Winston. The NFL star offered Lester some advice as he goes through the recruiting process.

"He just told me that whatever I want to be, I just have to attack it," Lester said. "I can be the best defensive back if I put my mind to it. Mainly, his word to me was just never give up, keep being the same you, just come to Florida State to be a part of the change now. He truly believes in Florida State football."

The Florida native discussed some of the main factors in his recruitment as he enters the spring. He's looking for a coaching staff that has proven production in the defensive backfield and that can get him to the next level.

"Basically, I'm just going to narrow it down to the production of my position, who is going to produce me the best. After that, who I can trust to guide me and better me as a man and who I feel most comfortable with that will get me to the next level," Lester said. "As of right now, this place means a lot to me. Every coach I walk past, I feel the same about them. I know everyone almost the same. Actually, I trust these coaches, I love them."

Coming out of the trip, Lester mentioned that his decision timeline is speeding up. His reviews of the visit were very positive, to say the least. He nearly publicly committed while he was on campus.

"The way I feel about this place. I've been committed," Lester said. "Just time-wise, I'm probably just going to wait it out. At heart, I committed today, yesterday. I loved it, I don't want to leave."

Florida State is recruiting Lester as a cornerback and may utilize him at wide receiver as well.

Lester has already set up three official visits at this point. He'll check out Georgia on June 9-11, Ohio State on June 16-18, and Florida State on June 23-25. Lester wanted to hold off on his official trip to FSU until the end of the month because he's going to "save the best for last."

It's possible that he checks out Georgia this weekend. He'll unofficially visit Ohio State on April 1.

The 6-foot-1, 171-pound cornerback is regarded as the No. 17 overall prospect, the No. 4 CB, and the No. 5 recruit in the state of Florida in the 2024 class.

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