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FSU looks to bolster trenches, hosts talented Georgia OL/DL teammates

Florida State stayed busy over the weekend, bringing in several key 2023 prospects to get a head start on next year’s recruiting class.

Two of the highest-rated recruits on campus on Saturday are actually teammates out of Columbus, Ga., and the pair could seriously add to the ’Noles’ class in the trenches.

Four-star defensive end Darron Reed and massive offensive tackle Kelton Smith each have offers from major programs throughout the Southeast, and they liked what they saw from FSU during their visit.

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Four-star DE Darron Reed appreciates that FSU was his first offer.
Four-star DE Darron Reed appreciates that FSU was his first offer. (Michael Langston)
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Reed has FSU high on his list

Reed, the talented pass-rusher out of Carver High, has a long list of impressive schools seeking his services in 2023. Along with FSU, Reed has interest from Georgia, Clemson, Tennessee, Ole Miss and Kentucky.

When it came to his trip to Tallahassee to visit the ’Noles, Reed didn’t mince any words on how he rated the visit.

“It was great. A ten out of ten,” Reed said. “I always love it when I come down here.”

Talking to Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell was Reed’s favorite part of the trip, and he liked how fired up the third-year head coach was.

“We talked about where I fit in in the defense and where he was looking for me. He recruited me personally,” Reed said. “He’s great. I love his energy. I love what type of coach he is. There’s never a dull moment when me and him are talking. All around, he is a great coach.”

As far as position-wise, Reed said FSU likes him as a playmaker along the defensive line who can do, “a little bit of everything.”

Reed said he enjoyed touring the campus and talking football and film with the staff.

“The biggest thing is it feels like home. That’s what I am looking for in a school,” Reed said. “That’s something that I feel when I am out there at FSU.”

The defensive lineman also got to sit down with FSU defensive tackles coach Odell Haggins, among others, to critique his high school film.

“He was just telling me that he likes how I use my hands and my get-off. How much power I get,” Reed said. “They tell me that I am a dominant player, and they see it on the field.”

“It’s great. It helps me get ready for the college level. When they go back and tell me how to do something on a play or on a part of the film, stuff like that, they give me [things] for the next level that I can use in high school before I get to college. I feel like that’s a big advantage.”

Reed said he and his teammate made a point to visit FSU together.

“It was great. It was a big thing for me, because we are thinking about playing together on the next level,” Reed explained. “So that was a big thing for us.”

As far as retuning to FSU, Reed confirmed he plans to visit again in early March, possibly on March 5.

“They've always been one of the top schools I am looking at because they were the first to offer me,” Reed said. “And we’ve always had a great relationship and that kind of bond. They were the first one to believe in me. I have a great relationship with the whole staff.”

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Smith breaks down strong bond with FSU OC Atkins

Similar to Reed, offensive tackle Kelton Smith saw a lot of things he liked during the trip, especially spending time with his possible position coach in FSU offensive coordinator Alex Atkins.

“It was great. Saw a lot of things, learned a lot of things from Coach Atkins and Coach Norvell. They showed me a lot of love when I first got here, and I liked that," Smith said. "That’s something unique because every school doesn’t do that. FSU was the only school that did.”

Smith said he and Atkins played a few games of Madden together, but it came to a draw at two wins apiece.

“He keeps it real. He really doesn’t tell me anything I do good; he tells me what I need to work on," Smith said. "He keeps up with me with my grades and makes sure everything is all right.”

For an offensive lineman, having a position coach with the dual title of offensive coordinator is special.

“Very excited. I can’t even really say anything. I am very excited about that,” Smith said. “All day, he is going to be teaching me things, telling me everything I need to know.”

Atkins explained plenty to Smith about the way FSU operates this weekend.

“Just going over practices and everything they do. How they teach,” Smith said. “He doesn’t teach as a group, he teaches individually.”

Smith confirmed he plans to return in early March alongside Reed -- again possibly on March 5. He said some of his family will be coming on the next trip: “I think they’ll love it. I want them to meet the staff [in person] because they’re great.”

Other schools factoring into the deccision for Smith are Georgia, Miami and Oregon. He also plans to visit Tennessee in March.

Set to narrow down his list down in May, Smith explained why FSU stands out in his recruitment.

“They keep a relationship with me and my family," Smith said. "They stay in touch with me. They come down to visit me. When I come there, they show so much love.”

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