Horstman is FIU bound

On Saturday afternoon, Florida International rallied to bear Arkansas State 31-24 to clinch the Sun Belt Conference. That victory wasn't the only bit of good news on the day for the Golden Panthers. Later in the day, Vero Beach (Fla.) two-star defensive lineman Cody Horstman pledged his services to Mario Cristobal's team.

"I committed yesterday," Horstman said. "They had been my number one school for the longest time now and it just felt right, especially after they won their game and won the Sun Belt title. It just kind of put the icing on the cake. I talked to my mom and dad and they were both all for it. It just felt right at that moment so I did what felt right."

The 6-foot-3, 250-pound prospect recapped his call to the staff to inform them of his decision.

"I called Coach Cristobal at first but I didn't get a hold of him, so then I called Coach (Juan) Navarro and I told him," Horstman said. "It was funny, at first we were just talking about how the game went and everything like that, normal talk, and then as soon as I told him he went crazy and was just really excited. He was yelling and everything."

Horstman said that FAU, who had offered, and Georgia Southern, who had not offered, were seriously in the picture as well, but that his recruitment is now concluded with his commitment to the in-state program.

"I have an official visit scheduled for January 15th with them," Horstman said. "I am all for FIU. That is all I am thinking about."

When Horstman arrives on campus in Miami, he expects to line up at an array of positions along the defensive front.

"It is eventually going to be anywhere on the defensive line," Horstman said. "It could be defensive end, defensive tackle, three-technique, they talked to me about playing all of those positions. I am all for that because in high school I have played over every offensive lineman."

Academically, Horstman is fully qualified.