Florida State camp notes: Gatewood serves as spectator
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Quarterback Joey Gatewood was the second highly rated Auburn commit to show up on Florida State’s campus in as many days. A day after linebacker Robert Hicks arrived in Tallahassee, Gatewood strolled through the entrance of FSU’s indoor practice facility.
The four-star quarterback wasn't there to work out. That much was obvious from the cast he had covering his hand and forearm. It wasn’t even clear if he was there as a recruited prospect, as he had few if any extended interactions with Seminole coaches.
“I really just came here because I stayed the night at my teammates house and he came to work out," Gatewood said on Wednesday. "I just came with him. I just rode over with them. I actually had a feeling I shouldn’t have come, so I’m trying to stay low key.”
Gatewood knows how his presence in Tallahassee could be viewed. After all, the Seminoles once functioned as a heavy favorite to land his commitment prior to his decision to go with Auburn. That said, nothing that happened on Wednesday suggests that the two sides are currently courting each other. But that’s not to say there won’t be recruiting visits in the Rivals100 prospect’s future, though.
“I want to take visits to LSU and Ohio State,” Gatewood said. “I want to visit those two, and then I’ll be done.”
Despite all of that, however, Gatewood seems relatively steadfast in his commitment to the Auburn. There may be a few looks around and official visits are a long-term possibility. For now, however, planning another trip to campus is the only thing on his mind.
“I’m just trying to get up to Auburn as quick as I can,” Gatewood said. “We talked about the offense when I was there for the spring game. It was pretty cool. I still think I fit the best there.”
OTHER NOTES FROM DAY TWO
-- Four-star wide receiver Warren Thompson (2018) was one of the most impressive wide receiver prospects at camp and earned an offer from the Seminoles. Immediately, FSU pushed its way into the forefront of the Armwood (Fla.) High School star’s recruitment, as he named FSU, Miami, Georgia and Florida. Shortly after rattling that group off, however, he added that Miami and FSU currently hold an edge over the rest of the group.
-- Amari Gainer holds a handful of scholarship offers, including one from Florida State. He’s yet to see a slew of power five schools line up, but that could be coming in a hurry. On Wednesday, Gainer listed a number of major schools he thinks could be close to pulling the trigger. “South Carolina, USC, North Carolina, Alabama and Miami,” Gainer said. “I really like USC a lot. I like Florida and Miami too.”
-- Miami Central High School defensive end Owen Carney doesn’t lack for offers, but he hopes his performance on Wednesday afternoon will earn him one from Florida State. Should that not happen, however, the pecking order in the four-star defensive end’s recruitment currently stands as such: “Right now, it goes Illinois, Duke, Louisville, Mississippi State,” Carney said.
-- Class-of-2018 linebacker Jalen Norwood holds three offers, but prefers South Florida and Louisville for the time being. Temple has also offered the North Florida Christian star, but more opportunities could present themselves in the near future. For now, however, the junior-to-be hopes to take a visit to Louisville. Norwood’s high school teammate Lyn Strange is serving as one of the Cardinals’ primary recruiters. “He keeps telling me ‘the L is the move,’” Norwood said.
-- Cincinnati, Michigan and Troy have already offered Alabama-based athlete Cameron Taylor. He worked out at wide receiver in Tallahassee with the hope of earning an offer from the Seminoles. Taylor declined to name a favorite in the process on Wednesday, but says that an FSU offer might change that as the program has “always been one of his favorites.” Taylor plans to visit Alabama on Saturday.
-- Florida State running back commit Charles Strong continues to work out at every camp session despite his standing as a verbal pledge. Strong says he does not intend to take other visits, saying he has “found a home” at Florida State. Charles seems as solidly committed as any class-of-2018 prospect in the country. Strong has worked out at every FSU camp session but one this season, and only sat out Wednesday’s morning session because FSU coaches forced him to take a break.