Second Florida State Offensive Line Target Commits to USC
Florida State is preparing for the final big recruiting weekend of June after hosting 15 official visitors over the last couple of weeks. To this point, it's been a quiet period for the Seminoles while programs such as Florida, USC, and Stanford are surging on the trail.
The Cardinal has landed a whopping 17 commitments while the Gators and Trojans have each added nine pledges this month. At least three of those commitments for USC have come at the expense of Florida State.
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Last week, four-star offensive tackle Manasse Itete and three-star defensive back Jarvis Boatwright pledged to the Trojans. Both players were previously expected in Tallahassee for official visits.
USC delivered another blow from the other side of the country on Tuesday when four-star center Jason Zandamela announced his commitment to the Trojans.
Zandamela was scheduled to officially visit Florida State this weekend but informed NoleGameday that he will no longer make the trip. He was one of the program's top targets along the offensive line and a familiar face on campus.
The native of Mozambique visited FSU three times this year. He noted in the past that he felt like he belonged in garnet and gold.
"It's just the same feeling I felt the first time being here," Zandamela said previously. "I don't know man, just a special feeling I feel every time I'm down here, like I really belong here."
To put it in simple terms, this is a big loss for the Seminoles, especially with the program yet to add an offensive lineman to its commitment list. Zandamela was a prospect that fits the mold of what Florida State is looking for on and off the field.
The coaching staff will continue to recruit him in the event of a flip, something that FSU pulled off twice in the last recruiting cycle with four-star quarterback Brock Glenn (Ohio State) and four-star safety Conrad Hussey (Penn State).
The Seminoles will turn to other offensive line targets such as four-star Jon Daniels, four-star Nyier Daniels, three-star Tye Hylton, and three-star Deryc Plazz, among others.
Zandamela is regarded as the No. 62 overall prospect, the No. 2 IOL, and the No. 2 recruit in the state of Florida in the 2024 class according to 247Sports.
READ MORE: Pair of FSU Football Targets Commit to Other Programs
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