The Florida State coaching staff is all about building and nurturing relationships. This has allowed the Seminoles to gain a foothold in several high schools in their recruiting regions.
After signing four-star offensive tackle Lucas Simmons as a member of their Class of 2023, FSU once again faces off against some foreign-born Clearwater Academy International recruits.
READ MORE: No. 1 TE Landen Thomas wraps up surprise Junior Day visit to Florida state
Four-star offensive lineman Jason Zadamela has been a target since he accepted an offer over a year ago. Safety Trending Isaiah Thomas was recently added to the board after the Seminoles renewed a scholarship earlier this month. Both prospects joined a group of CAI players who were in Tallahassee to tour the campus and meet with the staff on Junior Day.
As one of the first programs to follow Zadamela’s recruitment, the Seminoles have shown that they believed in him from the start.
“It means a lot,” Zadamela told NoleGameday’s Dustin Lewis. “The fact that they offered so early means they really believed in me and my potential as an athlete and a player.”
“I have a very good feeling about this place,” continued Zadamela. “I can’t tell you more.”
Over the past year, Zadamela has been to Florida State four times. Those trips included several appearances at Junior Days and an unofficial visit to watch the Seminoles fall to Clemson at Doak Campbell Stadium. Every time he’s on campus, he gets a “special feeling.”
“It’s exactly the same feeling as the first time here,” said Zadamela. “I don’t know man, just a special feeling I get every time I’m down here, like I really belong here.”
Scroll to Next
The Seminoles recruit Zadamela as a lineman for the interior offensive, probably in the center. The coaching staff have shown that they care about him on and off the pitch.
“100%. I’ve spoken to Atkins about this, I’m being recruited by a number of other schools and no other school I feel would care about me as a person like Florida State,” Zadamela said. “They care about you as a football player as much as they care about you as a person, like your sanity and all that, and I really appreciate that from then on.”
Before concluding his visit, he met with head coach Mike Norvell in his office. Norvell reiterated some of the same themes that Coach Atkins explored at length while also making it clear why Florida State chooses him over other recruits.
“He was just talking about what coach Atkins was basically talking about today,” Zadamela said. “Why he wants me to come to the program, why they offered me so early, why he chooses me out of everyone.”
Originally from Africa, Zadamela grew up watching rugby. He’s only been playing football for about two years and has a lot of untapped potential.
As of now, he’s not sure when he’ll announce a decision, but he plans to talk to his dad about what’s next for him in the near future.
The 6-foot-3, 285-pound offensive lineman is ranked No. 142 overall, No. 8 on the IOL and No. 25 in Florida State in the 2024 class, according to 247Sports.
READ MORE: Seminoles take the lead after two days on campus for four-star WR TJ Abrams
Stay at NoleGameday for more coverage of Florida State football in the 2023 off-season
Follow NoleGameday on Twitter and Facebook
