In an effort to better familiarize Florida State fans with members of FSU’s 2024 recruiting class, Noles247 is speaking with as many Tribe24 recruits prior to them signing with the Seminoles and enrolling in Tallahassee.
We’re calling this series Meet the Commits and we hope that ‘Nole fans are able to get a better understanding for who each incoming member of Tribe24 is on and off the gridiron.
— LB Timir Hickman-Collins
— QB Luke Kromenhoek
— RB Kam Davis
— WR BJ Gibson
— K Jake Weinberg
— OL Jayden Todd
— Edge DD Holmes
— DB Ricky Knight III
— DB KJ Bolden
— LB Jayden Parrish
Supreme confidence is something that most great defensive backs possess. That’s the case for Florida State four-star defensive back commitment Jamari Howard
The Miami Norland (Fla.) standout is ready to bring his talent to Tallahassee and join a secondary that will soon feature a number of blue-chip prospects. In our conversation today, he touches on his relationship with FSU’s coaching staff, his relationship with other Seminole commits in the 2024 class, and how he impressed the ‘Nole coaches enough during his freshman year to earn an offer.
Here is our interview with Howard:
WHAT ORIGINALLY ATTRACTED YOU TO FLORIDA STATE?
“I mean, Florida State has been recruiting me since my freshman year. I went to the camp my freshman year and they’ve been recruiting me since then. Coach [Randy] Shannon, coach [Patrick] Surtain wasn’t there yet but coach Shannon was working on me and then we all talked and it just came down to me going there.”
DESCRIBE THAT CAMP DURING YOUR FRESHMAN YEAR… WHAT DID YOU DO TO IMPRESS THE FSU STAFF ENOUGH TO EXTEND YOU AN OFFER?
“I wanted to run 4.4 [in the 40-yard dash] at the camp but I ran 4.5. I wanted to impress them by the timing and my drills and everything. I ran 4.5 and then just executed in my drills in one-on-ones. Then I ended up getting offered during track season of my sophomore year and then it turned up from there.”
YOUR NICKNAME IS ‘TRACK STAR’… WHERE DID THAT ORIGINATE FROM?
“When I was young, I used to be slow. Then, I just kept working, kept working. Then, as I got older, I got faster. I just earned the name by running fast and winning events.”
WHAT EVENTS DO YOU RUN IN TRACK AND WHAT ARE YOUR PERSONAL BEST TIMES?
“I like the 400 [meter dash]. 48.9 [is my personal record].”
WHO’S YOUR FAVORITE FSU PLAYER OF ALL TIME?
“Jalen Ramsey. He came out of Florida State making excellent plays making extra excellent plays. At the Miami Dolphins right now, he’s going crazy. Caught two books [interceptions] last night. Jalen Ramsey going to Florida State and me going there, that means a lot to me. Because that means if he’s there in the league, coach Mike Norvell and coach Surtain can help me get in the league and help me with my technique.”
FORMER FSU DB GREAT XAVIER RHODES WENT TO YOUR HIGH SCHOOL AND PLAYED FOR THE COLLEGE PROGRAM YOU’RE HEADED TO, HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THAT COMPARISON?
“He played here in high school. I met him at our first game. Nice guy. Shoot, they can compare me to anybody but I’m Jamari Howard.”
WHO IS THE MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSON IN YOUR LIFE AND WHY?
“My mom. She means a lot to me. She makes sure I’m straight everyday. Make sure I’m on task – doing the right things. Make sure I’m not out in the streets doing street stuff. She makes sure I eat. She makes sure I’m good with any and everything I need.”
WHAT MOTIVATES YOU?
“What motivates me is football, working out, grinding, succeeding and getting a scholarship in school.”
HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH ADVERSITY?
“I face adversity. Fans, I don’t really pay attention to fans. Social media, I don’t pay attention to all of that. I just know I’m going to go on the field and ball out.”
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE FOOD THAT YOU’LL MISS ONCE YOU GET TO FSU?
“Baked beans with the macaroni with the white rice and fried chicken. I’m definitely going to miss that. She’s going to have to come and make it.”
WHO’S THE FUNNIEST MEMBER OF TRIBE24?
“Probably Rick [Ricky Knight] or KJ [Bolden]. Or nah, CL3 [Charles Lester III].”
HOW CLOSE HAVE YOU GOTTEN WITH OTHER FSU COMMITS IN THE CLASS OF 2024 SINCE YOU COMMITTED A FEW WEEKS AGO?
“We’re close. Me and KJ, we played on the same 7-on-7 team. We’ve got that chemistry. Shoot, me and CL3 played with the same SFE [South Florida Express] team. We practiced together but we never played together. We’ll get the chemistry right.”
WHAT ARE YOUR INITIAL GOALS WHEN YOU GET TO TALLAHASSEE?
“Play as a freshman. Get on the field as a freshman – wherever it’s at. Execute being there, playing, on the field. Kickoff, punt, field goal block, defensive back – wherever it’s at. Just make sure I execute and know what I’m doing.”
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