Boston wowed by FSU visit
Other than Ryan Gilliam's commitment a couple weeks ago, it has been a long dry spell for Florida State recruiting. Many hoped that Bartow star Alex Boston might break the spell and give the nod to the Tribe after making his official visit this past weekend. It didn't happen but the Rivals100.com No. 8 rated defensive end and his family were walking on clouds after their time in Tallahassee.
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"We loved it," said Alex' mother Nadine Boston. "We really enjoyed ourselves. I got all the questions answered that I needed answered. We really enjoyed the whole weekend. Everybody was very personable and everything. I sat down and talked with Mr. Bowden, coach Lilly, coach Andrews and Odell Haggins.
"The academic program and everything is superb. If any kids go and are redshirted and say five years you should come out with a degree unless they go pro."
Along with linebacker recruit Dana Graydon, the 6-foot-3 and 225-pound defensive end was hosted on his trip by B.J. Dean and Donnie Carter. In addition to hanging out with the players and coaches, touring the campus and meeting with academic advisors, the recruits got to watch themselves on the big screen inside Doak Campbell Stadium. Unlike other schools that give recruits jerseys to wear when they run out onto the field, FSU had a little something different in mind for its visitors.
"They had our jerseys by our lockers," said Boston. "Then they had us playing on a video game on the jumbo-tron. I wore 88. I think Donnie (Carter) will end up having that number because he's moving to tight end."
Boston was interested in more than just the football program. The four-star prospect is also an outstanding outfielder in baseball and is ranked by TeamOneBaseball.com as the No. 72 high school prospect in the nation. He intends on playing both sports in college, and therefore took a close look at the Seminole baseball program and facilities while on campus.
"When they get through with that baseball stadium, oh man will it be nice," Nadine Boston said. "The baseball field is just going to be nice. We got to meet Mike (Martin), got meet Stephen Drew and talked with the coaches, Jamie Shouppe, and everything."
Alex Boston was equally impressed with the the baseball program.
"Mike Martin just treated me and my mom and dad just wonderfully, him and Jamie Shouppe," he said. "They showed us around the facilities, the parts that weren't beat up too bad since they are doing a lot of construction around there. I saw the new batting cages and all that and saw the drawings."
Although the two-sport star will likely be drafted high by major league baseball next summer, his mother insists he won't sign a pro contact before he earns his college degree.
"I want him to go to college and I want him to get a degree," she said. "I want him to go to college and see college life and learn to cope with other people and not have to cope with grown people way before his time. Going into the pros (early) is fine if that is what you want for your kid, but I don't want that for my kid."
Boston admitted that Florida State was his best visit to date but wouldn't go so far as to name the Seminoles as his leader. He has already tripped to UConn and Maryland and his final visit will be to Florida this weekend.
"We are going to go up to Florida next weekend and he is going to make that visit," Nadine Boston said. "When he comes back we are going to sit down and talk about all of his options and pray about it. On national signing day he is going to sign, and that's when he's going to announce and say where he's going to go."
In his senior season Boston had approximately 65 tackles and 12 sacks at Bartow.
Accolades:
* Second team all-state (3A)
* Rivals100.com 4-star recruit
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