Florida State team camp: Recruiting notes

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Florida State's first round of team camps kicked off with morning registration and an afternoon practice on Wednesday. Plenty of talent cycled through the Seminoles' indoor practice facility. Some prospects worked out for the FSU coaches. Some declined to do so. But the first day of action included recruiting news and notes for a number of players.

Still solid to Clemson?

Rahshaun Smith

Clemson commit Rahshaun Smith says that his pledge to the Tigers remains solid, but he'll take a look around during the fall. Smith says he plans to take all five official visits at his disposal and will also make a couple of unofficial trips. The five-star linebacker will visit Florida on Thursday but has not mapped out travel beyond that trip just yet.

No favorites for Parks

Linebacker Jarez Parks, a 2017 prospect, has plenty of offers in hand but names no favorites in the process. He says he would like to visit Michigan at some point this summer and is being recruiting hardest by the Wolverines, Florida State and Clemson. Parks has set no timetable for a commitment and says that a school's academic reputation will play a major role in the process. He also admits that a Stanford offer could be a potential game-changer.

Ross awaits Georgia

Ahman Ross

Class of 2017 prospect Ahman Ross holds offers from Miami and Florida State. The Jacksonville (Fla.) Bolles High School safety says that Florida State leads the pack, with Miami running in second place. Ross also noted that the Hurricanes would get bumped from the No. 2 spot should a Georgia offer materialize. Ross worked out for the Florida State staff on Wednesday and said that he will wait until after his upcoming junior season to make a verbal commitment.

Up to FSU

Asked whether he would commit to Florida State before leaving camp on Thursday, Vandarius Cowan replied "Maybe. I might. I just need to talk to coach [Jimbo] Fisher about something." Those within earshot took the response to mean he would pledge his services to Florida State should a committable offer present itself. Nothing is set in stone on that front yet, but the subtext of Cowan's conversation with reporters seemed to indicate that he is FSU's to lose.

Nothing on Gatewood

Joey Gatewood

Commitment watch for 2018 quarterback Joey Gatewood will move into Day No. 2. Gatewood seemed primed to pledge to the Seminoles before he arrived in Tallahassee on Wednesday, but didn't pull the trigger on the event's first day. A recent trip to Auburn may have given the star quarterback something new to consider or he could just be biding his time with a pledge to FSU, which has led his recruitment for some time.

No worries, Miami

Miami commit Al Blades, a 2018 prospect, showed up to Florida State and didn't work out. He said following the trip that his pledge to the Hurricanes is unshaken and even mentioned that he intends to sign with Miami regardless of who may be coaching the team at the time. Blades' commitment is as solid as any early pledge in the nation, as the defensive back doesn't plan to listen to pitches from other schools.

Pope dreams of Bama

Alabama, Georgia and West Virginia are the major schools showing early interest in freshman wide receiver prospect Mark Pope. Pope is yet to secure his first offer but says that Alabama is his dream school. He also noted that he's prepared to pounce on an invite from the Crimson Tide should one come along. Pope is considered to be a top-level prospect in the class of 2018.

Miami close?

Class of 2018 wide receiver Gregory Rousseau already stands 6-foot-4 but is awaiting his first offer. Rousseau feels that Miami could be the closest to pulling the trigger, but also points out that Florida State is his dream school. So while the Hurricanes are most involved in his recruitment for the time being, FSU holds the trump card. It's too early to tell how Rousseau's recruitment may shake out, but his opinions on the in-state programs are already forming.

USF offers Hazelton

Damon Hazelton

Reisterstown (Md.) Franklin wide receiver Damon Hazelton recently picked up his first offer, an invitation from FAUVand now says other schools could be close to pulling the trigger. Hazelton, who reclassified from the class of 2015 to the class of 2016, says that he is in frequent contact with Temple and FAU. Miami and UCF are already also somewhat involved.