The clock is ticking folks! The domino effect is everywhere. However, the transfer portal gets 10x more interesting with the new players coming in. Right now, it’s four-star cornerback J’Vari Flowers who is likely to rule the portal. The Northwestern High School’s star just had a glow-up. He is now a top prospect in the 2025 class. So, it’s obvious that the suitors list is pretty long for him. And guess what? Flowers has already picked his top 6. However, looks like the list might leave someone sad. That’s none other than Florida State Seminoles HC Mike Norvell. After all, he had set out the red carpet for Flowers, but his program failed to woo him. 

For quite some time, Flowers was one of the top cornerbacks in the 2026 recruiting class. However, the young chap has climbed the ladder. Thanks to his talents, the Miami product was reclassified in January and is part of the 2025 recruiting class. He initially had his sights set on just three schools. In an interview with On3’s Keith Niebuhr, he mentioned that Florida State, Florida, and Georgia would “definitely” get official visits. But things have changed. His latest list is out, and Florida State has been crossed off the list.

On February 20, Hayes Fawcett came up with an IG post. Even after reclassification, Flowers is still ranked as a top 10 cornerback in the nation. And no wonder; he looks pretty sorted about what he wants. The caption of the IG post read, “NEWS: Four-Star CB J’Vari Flowers is down to 6️⃣ Schools, he tells me for @on3recruits.” A new poster featuring the athlete, set against the backdrop of sunny Miami Beach, is creating a buzz. But what’s really grabbing fans’ attention are the logos of the six college football programs still in the running to land him.

Two of his earlier top three favorites, the Gators and Bulldogs, have made the cut. Joining them are four new contenders: the North Carolina Tar Heels, Auburn Tigers, Syracuse Orange, and, of course, the hometown Miami Hurricanes. He’s got a busy travel schedule lined up, with visits to UNC on March 3rd, Auburn on March 6th, Florida on March 10th, Georgia on March 17th, Syracuse on March 21st, and finally, Miami on March 24th. Now who is going to be the lucky one?

Well, we don’t know that yet, but the fight is going to be tough. However, Flowers refuses to give Norvell a chance, even though he has made some last-minute changes.  

How does J’Vari Flowers’ decision reflect a bigger problem at FSU?   

Norvell had closed the gates as the Seminoles were seemingly done at the cornerback position in the 2025 cycle. They already had landed two three-star prospects—Shamar Arnoux and Antonio Cromartie Jr. But as soon as the news of Flowers’ reclassification came in, Norvell might have been hit with some FOMO feels. After all, the 5-foot-11, 165-pounder was also the No. 10 player from Florida. So, they thought of trying their luck in the quick recruitment race.

With this, they hosted Flowers, hoping the MaxPreps Junior All-American would change their luck. But poor Norvell! He and the Seminoles are now out of the race. Now wasn’t it predictable that FSU would be eliminated from the race? After all, patience is already running low for their HC. The 2024 season did expose Norvell’s failure as the HC with his buyout numbers worth $64 million doing rounds. Sadly, the situation is not going to change overnight, right?

On the 247Sports podcast, analyst Bud Elliott shared his take on what lies ahead of Mike Norvell: “Yeah you can’t follow up a 2-10 year by going like 4-8 or 5-7.” Already the HC is on the hot seat. Plus, more woes await the Seminoles in 2025, as they have a pretty tough schedule. Their opening game will be against Kalen DeBoer’s Alabama, followed by face-offs against Miami, Clemson, and Florida. Now a weak HC and a tough schedule do not call for a good combination, right? That might be why J’Vari Flowers crossed FSU off his list.