Still, it seems like an uphill climb for others to flip his commitment
BRADENTON, Fla. — I spoke with four-star IMG Academy guard Dontae Lucas at his school’s media day. Lucas is 6’4, and 342 pounds. He has been committed to Florida State since the spring and has been working to reshape his body.
Q: How has your offseason been?
A: My offseason has been great. I’ve lost weight, just trying to get ready for college. Right now I am at 342 pounds, and I was fat when I got here, I was like 370(ish).
Q: How have you taken the weight off?
A: Just staying focused. I got a motivational thing. My mom texts me to keep your head up. And I have a list in my dorm room of the weights of players at the combine, so I know where I have to be.
Right now I’m committed to FSU. If I’m going to start at FSU, I have to go in ripped, get my weight down.
Q: What constitutes a successful year for FSU this year?
A: I just think he’s going to do great things. He’s brought the team together. He’s a great coach.
Q: They play at Notre Dame, Clemson, at Miami, and Florida this year. If they go 2-2 is that a success to you?
A: 3-1, 3-1.
Q: Are you going to FSU this weekend for Saturday Night Lights? And if so, who is coming with?
A: Yes. Jaleel McRae, Deyavie Hammond, and Charles Turner.
Editor’s note: McRae is an FSU linebacker commit, Hammond is an uncommitted lineman, and Turner is a lineman committed to LSU.
Q: This is your third trip to FSU this offseason, what are you looking to learn this time?
A: I just want to be home, really. That’s home right there.
Q:Evan Neal said that IMG was not letting kids visit this weekend due to training camp starting. Are they letting you do that, or are you just going it anyway or ...?
A: I already had it planned. It don’t really matter what IMG said. If I can’t go, I can’t go. But I feel like I’m going.
Q: How is your relationship with FSU OL coach Greg Frey?
A: We text each other every day. He’s my man. One of the greatest coaches ever. He is very energetic and he knows his stuff. He puts a lot of guys in the league who wasn’t supposed to be in the league. That’s a guy you want to play for.
Q: You call FSU home, but you are taking other visits. What does the FSU staff say about this?
A: I let them know, but I haven’t been taking any visits right now. Once I get my SAT score back, I’ll set up my official visits. The staff doesn’t want to lose their lineman. They say I’m a big lineman for them. They just keep on me, text me every day, call me, and keep me on board.
Q: How long do you think you’ll keep listening and talking to other schools? What does your timeline look like?
A: I don’t know. I just feel like FSU is the move for me. Me looking at the depth chart, I just know I have to work and I can start. A couple schools like Florida, Miami, and Auburn also have that. But FSU, FSU’s doing a lot of things.
Q: Are you visiting Florida for Friday Night Lights camp? What keeps UF on your mind?
A: No, I’ll take an official though. They don’t really have [a lot] of linemen either. I gotta get up there.
Q: We know Evan Neal’s mom wants him at Miami. Where does your mom want you?
A: She wants me wherever she can come up, but she doesn’t care about football, she is focused on academics.
Q: What officials do you think you’ll take?
A: Those guys I mentioned (FSU, Auburn, Florida, and Miami) and maybe Louisville.
Q: What do you like about Miami?
A: (Audio was bad but Lucas said he had a great relationship with coach Richt)
Q: What do you like about Auburn?
A: Their offense. They run that ball and I like that.
Q: What are you looking for in a school?
A: I just want to play. I’m trying to be three-and-out.
Q: What do you like about Florida coach Dan Mullen?
A: Coach Mullen is a great guy. He is really big about getting guys in there and getting them out (to the league) too. I like the vibe with coach Mullen. I talk to coach Mullen every other day.
Q: Where do you think Evan Neal will sign?
A: Florida State. We need tackles. He can start on Day 1. But I don’t know, he likes Alabama.
Analysis
Lucas has a family-like relationship with FSU tight ends coach Telly Lockett thanks to Lockett knowing his family and having coached his brother Marquise when the elder Lucas was at Miami Central HS and Lockett was coaching there in the prep ranks. I have a hard time seeing Lucas going anywhere other than FSU as long as Lockett is still at the school. And since Lockett just arrived at FSU, I doubt he’s going anywhere any time soon.
While FSU’s staff would probably prefer Lucas not take visits to other schools, it has to be comforting that he’s been to FSU more often than every other school combined this offseason. And he is actively recruiting for Florida State.