4-star OLB Amari Gainer commits to Florida State over Texas, Alabama, Miami

Jimbo Fisher’s 2018 class is now up to 10 total pledges after four-star outside linebacker Amari Gainer announced he’ll be staying home on Friday with his commitment to Florida State over Texas, Alabama and Miami.

A hometown product out of Tallahassee Lawton Chiles, Gainer remaining close to home to play college football has long been considered a foregone conclusion. Throughout his recruitment, Gainer visited Florida State’s campus on numerous occasions and prior to his Friday evening commitment, the Seminoles held all 17 of his Crystal Ball projections—this wasn’t exactly considered a close race, and understandably so.

Along with the allure of staying home and suiting up in front of family and friends, Gainer’s joining a national powerhouse in his own backyard that’s won 59 games throughout the last five seasons, including a College Football Playoff appearance and a 2014 BCS National Championship victory.

As far as Texas is concerned, Tom Herman’s staff now has only one offer out to an uncommitted outside linebacker prospect—Lakota West (Oh.) product Xavier Peters. The Longhorns do hold a solid pledge for three-star Fort Worth native Byron Hobbs and Peters plans on visiting the Forty Acres this summer.

That said, don’t expect the Longhorns staff to quit pursuing Gainer just yet, especially considering their early track record of flipping high level prospects. Gainer hasn’t visited Austin yet so the odds of potential adding Gainer to the flip list this cycle significantly increases if he elects to visit the Forty Acres this summer.

At 6’2.5, 204 pounds, Gainer ranks as the nation’s No. 319 player, No. 23 outside linebacker and the No. 53 player in Florida, per 247Sports Composite.