Florida State continues to heat up on the trail landing its fifth commitment in July. 4-star offensive tackle, Jonathan Daniels, big decision was originally slated to happen on Saturday, but he didn’t want to wait that long to become part of Tribe 24 and moved it up to Thursday afternoon as Alex Atkins made yet another big addition to the trenches.
FSU beat out a pair of SEC programs, including Kentucky and two-time reigning national champion Georgia Bulldogs, for the 6-foot-3 270-pound lineman out of Pine Forest High School in Pensacola. This was obviously a big win for FSU and Atkins as Daniels was a highly sought-after recruit for this staff.
He becomes the first offensive lineman to join the 2024 class for FSU. Daniels is currently ranked just outside the top 100 nationally at #105 and rated as the #5 IOL. Although he brings in an excellent skill set, reports indicate that he will require some development before being ready to contribute. However, being developed by Alex Atkins was one of the selling points of his commitment.
Daniels has played both offensive tackle positions as well as getting a few snaps on the defensive side of the ball for a high school team that has gone 22-3 over the past two seasons.
Below is his Scouting Report from 247 Sports.
An intriguing offensive line prospect with rare length that could be deployed at multiple spots up front. Listed some places at 6-foot-5 but has measured anywhere from 6-foot-3 to 6-foot-4. Regardless, blessed with near vines for arms and massive 11-inch hands. Has gotten snaps on both sides of the ball throughout prep career, but worked primarily at right and left tackle for a Pine Forest program that is starting to churn out more and more future NFL talent. Rather coordinated for a big man as quick feet and overall solid core balance allow him to hold his own in pass protection. Tends to play with a lower pad level and oftentimes will use a nice forward lean to drive defenders out of the way. Junior highlight tape shows him getting aggressive and playing through the whistle, but in-person evaluations suggest that he must get more consistent and nastier at the point of attack if he’s going to be a true difference-maker at the Power Five level. Overall, should be viewed as a developmental guard or swing tackle with a promising reach and testing profile. Older for his grade but will likely still need some seasoning and time in the weight room before he’s ready to go on Saturdays.
With his commitment, Daniels becomes part of a continuously rising level of talent at the offensive line position since the arrival of Alex Atkins. The average player rating under Atkins has, so far, improved year-over-year with every class he’s signed.
The transformation of the offensive line unit in recent years has been one of the leading contributors to FSU’s turnaround. Daniels will join a handful of other young Blue-Chip linemen already at FSU including players like Julian Armella and Lucas Simmons.
We’ll have to wait and see who else gets added to Tribe 24 but so far with what Atkins has done, and continues to do, the future is bright for this offensive line room. Thanks for reading and Go Noles!
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