BRADENTON — IMG Academy rising seniors Gavin Nix and Donovan Johnson both have Florida State at the top of their list heading into the spring.
Nix, who is rated the No. 201 and No. 26 linebacker in the nation by the 247Sports Composite, said the Seminoles' consistent pursuit will ultimately put him in a good position.
“They're definitely pretty high on (my list),” Knicks said Thursday night before the IMG combine. “They've been scouting me since the beginning of ninth grade, so I'm definitely going to stick around till the end.”
The 6-foot, 230-pound Orlando native had 42 tackles (34 solo) in eight games last season and led the Ascenders with seven tackles for a loss. IMG coach Billy Miller praised Knicks' leadership, noting that he was the enduring national power's captain for three years.
Nix has offers from more than 20 Power 5 offers, including Alabama, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Oregon. Despite the impressive offer list, Florida State and Miami appear to be the Knicks' top choices.
He said head coach Mike Norvell was “the biggest thing that attracted me to Florida State.”
“It all starts with Coach Norvell,” Nix said. “He’s a really great guy, he’s got a lot of energy, and I think that’s contagious to the whole staff. Compared to Coach Fuller, Coach Shannon is a little more laid back, but he’s been in the game a long time and is very energetic. He's smart about things and teaches great things to his players. There's a really close culture with Florida State, but it all starts with Coach Norvell.”
Johnson, a four-star recruit, has Florida State in his top five, along with Georgia, Ohio State, Tennessee and Southern California. He has not yet scheduled an official visit, but he plans to go to Tallahassee during the spring.
Johnson said he loves “everything” about Florida State.
“Coach Norvell, Coach YAC (running backs coach David Johnson), and my Cam (Davis), and I grew up with a guy named Luke Kromenhook, the new quarterback they acquired. I love everyone there. Really guys, I've been there a lot. Every time I go there, it feels more and more like family.”
Johnson, who is 6 feet tall and weighs 205 pounds, missed last season due to injury. He wore a brace on his right leg and did not practice Thursday, but both he and Miller are happy with his recovery.
“When you get hurt, you not only feel like you have to prove it to other people, but you feel like you have to prove it to yourself first and foremost,” Johnson said. “I’ve set goals in my head for how I’m going to come back and where I’m going to get to, and so far I’ve continued to meet those goals.”
