Florida State’s season is off to a less than ideal start and the ‘Noles were also dealt some bad news on the recruiting trail when 2019 three-star Loganville (Ga.) Grayson running back Ronald Thompkins backed off his commitment from the school earlier this month. Thompkins was one of four players from Grayson committed to Florida State and now there are rumblings that his decommitment could lead to his teammates following suit. We examine why Thompkins changed his mind and just how big of a blow it is to the ‘Noles.
STING FACTORS: Adam Anderson | James Cook | Chris Steele | Cameron Latu
LOCAL REACTION
“It is a 2019 target at a position FSU is loaded at and it is also not out of the question that he jumps back in the fold down the line. FSU has a very stacked group of RBs and while Ronald is a solid back that FSU loves the effect is minimal at best. I think the decomittment was more about seeing that there are several options now for Thompkins and to take a step back and consider all of them. Now, if other commits from Grayson opt to open things up, the Sting is a little higher. However all these prospects will attend the FSU-Miami game next weekend so FSU's big weekend to impress is coming.” – Michael Langston, Warchant.com
Sting score: 3
REGIONAL REACTION
“Florida State got on Thompkins early and took his commitment when other schools were still taking time to evaluate him as a prospect. The ‘Noles get high marks for their early work and evaluation skills but anytime and an out-of-state prospect commits as early in the process as Thompkins did it shouldn’t come as a surprise when he opens things back up. Florida State has shown the ability to recruit extremely well at the running back position so I don’t expect this to be too big of a blow.” – Woody Wommack, Southeast Recruiting Analyst, Rivals.com
Sting score: 3
NATIONAL REACTION
“I'll give this one an 8 which is pretty high for a 2019 prospect because it follows the loss of James Cook and it follows a bad start to the season for FSU. The Seminoles are loaded at RB with Cam Akers and Khalan LaBorn among others but they can't lose 2019 momentum because of a poor start.” – Mike Farrell, National Recruiting Director, Rivals.com
Sting score: 8
AVERAGE STING SCORE: 4.6
What happens now: As mentioned above Thompkins is set to visit Florida State again soon so it’s not like he’s completely shutting the door on the ‘Noles. Several other programs will get their shot to impress, including Georgia, Florida, Oregon, Penn State, Tennessee, Nebraska and Clemson. Thompkins took in Georgia games in back-to-back weekends earlier in the month and, given his proximity to the in-state program, the Bulldogs should be seen as a major contender to land him down the road.
