"I have officially shut down my recruitment": Florida State IOL recruit Peyton Joseph announces to remain fully committed to Mike Norvell

Florida State's interior offensive lineman commit, Peyton Joseph, attended the Seminoles' 20-12 loss to Memphis on Saturday, which dropped FSU to 0-3 for the season. The Seminoles began the 2024 season ranked in the top 10 of the AP Top 25 and it is now the ninth team in history to start with three consecutive losses after being so highly ranked.

Memphis was in Joseph's consideration before he committed to Florida State. Despite some speculation that the loss to Memphis might cause him to reconsider his decision, the four-star prospect did the opposite.

“I have officially shut down my recruitment; I’m a ‘Nole,” Joseph told Hayes Fawcett of On3.

Joseph initially committed to the Florida Gators before flipping to the Seminoles in July. He chose the school over Alabama, Georgia, Memphis, LSU, Miami, Oregon, Texas and Michigan, among others

Florida State has 11 players committed to its 2025 class, ranked No. 17 in the nation. However, the team has already seen de-commitments of two four-star prospects: defensive end Javion Hilson and Myron Charles.

Recruits like Peyton Joseph and fellow interior lineman Solomon Thomas bring promise, but the Seminoles' shaky start to the season can jeopardize further recruiting efforts.

Peyton Joseph receives a special message from ex-NBA star Kendrick Perkins

Last week, Peyton Joseph signed former NBA Champion and ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins' NIL agency "Nilly", which helps student-athletes capitalize on their NIL. Perkins took to Instagram to congratulate Joseph by offering words of encouragement.

"Yes Sir!!!! Special Shoutout the big fella and straight monster on the field and 4 recruit @pgroovy_ for joining the new @nilly.us this young me is something special and it's only the beginning for as the greatness he's going to receive in the future!!!

"Keep up the good work Big Fella and remember this is just the start!!! Carry the hell on," Perkins wrote in the post.

ESPN ranks Joseph as the nation's No. 152 overall talent, the No. 3 interior offensive lineman in the 2025 class, and Georgia's No. 26 recruit. According to On3, he is also the No. 224 overall prospect in the country, the No. 14 interior offensive lineman in the class, and the No. 27 recruit in his home state.

Peyton Joseph is following in the footsteps of other top high school athletes, including 2024 class running back Chris Davis Jr., the first high school prospect to sign with Nilly in February.