Florida State's search for a 2026 quarterback continues as the coaches are in the middle of hosting four-star Oklahoma commit Jaden O'Neal on campus for a multi-day visit.
The Sooners pledge has slowly begun to open up his process as Oklahoma is becoming a prime candidate in an increasingly more public pursual of four-star Bowe Bentley.
O'Neal's visit to Florida State marks the first time that he has been on campus since last June, where he participated in the elite camp. O'Neal is a Rivals100 prospect and is considered the No. 83 ranked prospect in the country as well as the No. 9 ranked QB.
Reconnecting with the Florida State coaching staff was a big reason for his visit.
"Just to maintain the relationships with the coaching staff," O'Neal said on why he decided to visit. "I feel like that was the biggest thing. Making the move out to Oklahoma, I'm kind of at the center of everything so I feel like it was much closer (to visit) than being out there in Cali."
It wasn't until O'Neal's move to Oklahoma earlier this year that the communication between he and Florida State picked back up. Prior to then, the communication had been up and down but as Florida State's search for a quarterback continues. Now the coaching staff talk with O'Neal a few times a week.
"They are in spring right now so they are trying to install stuff, but knowing that they'll make time for me and contact me — just keeping that communication is big for my family and I," O'Neal said.
Communication and relationships truly appear to be the engine that drives O'Neal — and having a better relationship with another staff would be the driving force that would flip him from the Sooners.
"Just the relationship factor, making sure my communication with the team is good," O'Neal said. "If I feel like I have a better relationship with another school, that may flip me. But if the relationship is still strong with OU, I might just end up staying there. It's a big relationship thing and contact thing for me."
His response echoes his comments made earlier this month when he considered taking other visits.
“I feel like the communication just needs to be a little bit more, but as far as just me being closer (to OU), I feel like the access is a lot better," he told Rivals' OUInsider earlier this month.
That has led him to reconnecting with Florida State on Thursday and Friday, and traveling to Auburn this upcoming weekend.
But what of the fit at Florida State? He got to watch offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn's offense in person at practice on Thursday.
"I feel like he's a guy that I can relate to. He wants to throw the ball, he knows how to use the quarterbacks' strengths and weaknesses — so I feel like that's what he brings to the table," O'Neal said.
"For sure," he later added on if he sees himself as a fit. "Seeing today, I feel like they are well balanced. They love to run the ball, they like to throw the ball down and they utilize certain wide receivers and tight ends as well ... I was glad I was able to be in the atmosphere of the practice. I spoke with Coach Norvell as I was in practice. His ability to move other people with his energy. He loves to scream and wake guys up and get them ready to go."
O'Neal returns to campus Friday, where he says that they ...
