Top Miami DB headed to Florida State

Florida State's stepped up efforts to recruit South Florida are beginning to pay off in a big way. Earlier this week, Jacky Claude, a four-star offensive guard from Miami Edison High School, gave the Seminoles a verbal commitment. On Wednesday the Tribe picked up another top prospect from Dade County.

Northwestern cornerback Trevor Ford appeared on Countdown to Signing Day, a cable television show covering recruiting, and announced his intentions to sign with FSU over the hometown Miami Hurricanes. He did so by donning a Seminole No. 2 jersey, the same number worn by former FSU All-American Deion Sanders.

Within the last two weeks the Rivals.com No. 6 rated cornerback made official visits to both FSU and Miami, but it was his trip to Tallahassee and his friendship with former teammates Clifton Dickson, and Derrick Baker, who is a member of the FSU track team, that made the difference.

On his visit to Florida State two weekends ago, the four-star cornerback rated his trip a perfect 10 out of 10.

Although his official visit got high marks, what was the main reason he picked the 'Noles over the 'Canes?

"To get the chance to go in and play and end Miami's winning streak against Florida State," Ford told Warchant.com.

During his senior season Ford recorded 48 tackles, five interceptions and 11 pass break-ups and earned first team all-Dade County honors. He was invited to represent Florida in the 2004 Cali-Florida bowl where he broke up one pass and intercepted another the only two times a pass was thrown in his direction.

The 6-foot-1, 190-pound DB becomes the 14th commitment for Florida State for the class of 2004.

Ford is fully qualified carrying a 2.5 GPA and scored a 930 on the SAT.

FSU's newest commitment could be joined as early as Thursday by another cornerback. Four-star cornerback Marcus Walker is scheduled to announce his decision from his school at 11:00 a.m. CST (Noon EST). Stay tuned to Warchant.com on news on where the Rivals.com No. 3 rated cornerback is headed. The top two contenders are FSU and Oklahoma.

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