Florida State Receives Contract From 4-Star Defender New Bern, NC Keith Sampson. The 6-foot-3, 285-pound defender, who is in the midst of a multi-day visit to the former Soviet Union, announced his big decision via his Twitter account just minutes ago.
I verbally pledged to the State of Florida????!! Come on Noley!!! @Coach_TNowell @odellhuggins @Coach_Norvell @CoachAdamFuller @DonCallahanIC @FSUFootball @Noles247 pic.twitter.com/uP0BV1RJwf
— Keith Sampson Jr. (KJ) (@ksampson94) March 5, 2022
Former Soviet defensive line coach Odell Huggins received credit for landing Sampson. The two have been in contact since Sampson was first offered to FSU in May 2021.
Sampson announced the top five a few weeks ago, consisting of Clemson, Ohio State, South Carolina, and North Carolina State, as well as the Seminoles.
Brian Don of 247Sports rated Sampson last week. Here is the full intelligence report:
“There is a frame for playing in the interior. Can play around 300 pounds. Participated in debating and shot put as a freshman, but the sophomore spring football season kept him out of it in 2021. Also played basketball. A disruptive player at the point of attack. Productive inside the defensive line with 60+ tackles, seven sacks as a junior. Demonstrates explosiveness and the ability to stay low when snapped. Athletic and has a smooth movement throughout the frame. Covers the ground quickly from the first two steps. Very good body control with the ability to turn. torso and getting smaller to get through the cracks. Physical and strong. Can disengage and redirect along the line of scrimmage. Change direction very well. Plays hard and balanced. persistence does it. Comfortable play in traffic jams and willingness to work through double teams. Effort and speed to track games on the back side. Applies swimming and works quickly with his hands. It is necessary to comply more with the general l technique and development of sets of movements. Sometimes pops up too fast when turned on, hurting the shoulder. Continue to develop strength and flexibility in the entire body needed to compete in college. Multi-year Top 20 starter program. Has the potential for a mid-round NFL draft pick.”
According to the 247Sports Composite Rankings, Sampson is ranked 201st among prospects and 28th among defensemen in the nation.