12 key targets to watch for FSU football recruiting

The Florida State football team has somewhat turned the tide in its 2021 football season, winning three games in a row.

With that turnaround, there also has been a good bit of movement in our "12 to watch" breakdown of where things stand with the Seminoles' top recruits.

Here is a look at those important dozen prospects:

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The Skinny on Castellanos & why he's in the 12 to watch

Thomas Castellanos is a new name on the 12 to watch, but he isn't new to 'Nole fans who follow recruiting closely. FSU's staff showed a lot of interest in Castellanos during the spring, and he even visited the campus a few times. At one point, he listed the 'Noles as his leader. That interest drifted off, however, and he committed to UCF because the Knights wanted him as a quarterback, while Florida State seemed more interested in him as an athlete.

Castellanos can play a variety of positions, including running back and receiver, but we hear FSU is open to giving him a shot at quarterback as well. In addition, he's a cousin of former FSU standout Devonta Freeman.

Things seem to be picking up again with FSU and the athletic quarterback since he visited for the 'Noles' game against UMass. As I have said a few times in the past, it's a very good sign about a recruit's interest when he visits for games that aren't marquee matchups, like a UMass. Castellanos now plans to take an official visit for the Miami game as well.

Castellanos has also visited Georgia, and Auburn is a team that was previously in the mix. We'll have to see how things go in the coming weeks.