- November 27, 2024
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A.J. Westbrook never took an official visit to Florida State. His only hands-on experience with the Seminoles program came from a summer camp trip last year.
“I just liked the way they ran their practice, and we got to see their locker room, and it was really nice,” Westbrook recalled.
Next year, the Mainland standout defensive back can boast his own space within the “really nice” facilities. Westbrook committed to FSU Monday, just one day after Seminoles assistant Rick Trickett extended an offer.
“It just feels really good, it’s unbelievable,” Westbrook said after practice Monday.
Westbrook notched five interceptions last season, returning four for touchdowns. Bucs coach Scott Wilson has seen the rising senior evolve and develop with each season.
“He moved up as a freshman to the varsity, and then sophomore year he started,” Wilson said. “He’s just gotten bigger, faster, and stronger every year.”
Couple those measureables with an uncanny ability to read and react, and Westbrook is a coach’s dream — or equal.
“His skill, the way he’s able to call the back end of the defense, he’s like having another coach on the field,” Wilson said.
Westbrook nearly pulled the trigger on committing yesterday, “but then I thought, ‘they have some ballplayers there,’” Westbrook said. “But then, (Trickett) told me, ‘we just don’t offer anybody. If we know you can play here, we’re going to offer you.’ That shaped my view of the choice.”
He’s been told that FSU might plug him in at a few different spots around the defensive backfield.
“They might try me at corner and safety, and they might try me at safety in the nickel and dime (packages) most of the time,” Westbrook said.
With offers continuing to flood in, Westbrook is relieved to announce his choice.
“It’s nice, because it was kinda starting to get overwhelming,” he said. “UCF offered this morning and Indiana did, too.”
And with the process behind him, Westbrook can focus on just being a kid — and a ballhawk.
“I expect to be better — way better — than last year, and just show that I’m FSU material,” he said.
