FSU has early lead to land Rivals250 linebacker

It’s early, sure. But class-of-2018 linebacker Rocky Shelton is taking a simplistic stance on recruiting. The four-star prospect holds a handful of scholarship offers already, but he’s not letting things get convoluted. Asked which schools he’s most interested in, he comes with a short and direct response.

“Florida State,” Shelton said on Thursday. The answer was followed by a smile.

Whether the Seminoles place at the forefront of his recruitment will change as time progressives is unclear. Shelton is still collecting offers and building relationships. For now, though, FSU seems to have carved out a comfortable spot at the top of the Rivals250 prospect’s list.

“I just like the program,” Shelton said of the Seminoles. “They play good defense. I haven’t been up there yet but my dad has.”

Still, Shelton’s recruitment is no one-horse race. There will likely be twists in the year ahead and more schools will become involved. Pressed to provide other schools that are right below Florida State on his list, the Ft. Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas star doesn’t pause long.

It seems Shelton may have a solid No. 2 in place.

“I like Penn State,” he said. “They come to mind. They are good. They haven’t really been contacting me, Penn State, but they have been contacting and talking to my dad.”

A 210-poud junior at Aquinas, Shelton is ranked as the No. 7 inside linebacker and the No. 153 overall prospect in the class of 2018.

IN HIS WORDS: “I’m going to be visiting Florida State this fall,” Shelton said. “I’m supposed to visit Penn State, too, we’ll see. I was supposed to go up there.”

RIVALS REACTION: Shelton is high ion Florida State, and the Seminoles will be tough to beat should they decide to press for his commitment in the year ahead. There’s plenty of time for things to change, however, as interest on either side could cool before 2018. Projecting the other main players in Shelton’s recruitment will be difficult until after the season.