Samuel raves after visit with FSU, Taggart: 'He's changing the game'

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Asante Samuel has only known new Florida State head football coach Willie Taggart for a few days, but saying the pair have hit it off quickly would be a major understatement.

One of Taggart's top priorities since taking over in Tallahassee has been strengthening Samuel's commitment to the Seminoles -- especially since Miami and others have been pushing for a late flip -- and it appears Taggart is hitting all the right notes.

He made a positive impression when he visited South Florida this past week, and he might just have nailed things down during Samuel's official visit this weekend.

"He's a great guy," Samuel said. "He's real in everything you see. Felt real comfortable with him and all the players. ... I saw a lot of players really buying into everything Coach Taggart is saying. It's changing for the better. This a big visit and impact visit for me.

"It was my first time seeing him around the players. It was really good."

Samuel was hosted on the official visit by old friend and fellow cornerback Stanford Samuels III. He said it was good to see how happy Samuels and other players seemed despite the recent coaching change from Jimbo Fisher to Taggart.

"I've known him for a long time -- it was really good," Samuel said. "Great vibe around him and the players."