FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
**TALLAHASSEE, Fla.** — In a seismic recruiting triumph that signifies a definitive return to the national elite, Florida State University football has secured a landmark commitment for its future. **Five-star twin brothers, defensive end Elias Schoks and wide receiver Ezekiel Schoks**, both consensus Top-20 national prospects in the Class of 2025, announced their joint commitment to the Seminoles live on ESPNU Tuesday evening, choosing FSU over finalists Alabama, Georgia, and Miami.
The announcement, made from a packed auditorium at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, delivers a devastating one-two punch of elite talent to Head Coach Mike Norvell’s roster and stands as the most significant recruiting coup of his tenure. The decision to spurn the established SEC giants for the resurgent Seminoles sends a powerful message about the program’s restored prestige under Norvell’s leadership.
**“We’re Coming to Bring a Natty Back to Tally”**
In a moment of high drama, the 6-foot-5, 250-pound Elias and the 6-foot-3, 205-pound Ezekiel simultaneously revealed Florida State hats, sending the Seminole fanbase into a frenzy. Ezekiel, the dynamic receiver, spoke for the pair first.
“From the moment we stepped on campus, it felt different. The energy, the family atmosphere Coach Norvell has built, the vision—it’s undeniable,” he said, addressing a national audience. “They showed us how we could be more than just players; we could be cornerstones of a new dynasty. We believe in that mission completely.”
Elias, the menacing pass-rusher, followed with a focused intensity. “Coach Norvell and Coach [Adam] Fuller showed us the plan. They see us as the embodiment of what Florida State football is about: dominant defense and explosive offense. We didn’t want to just go somewhere that’s already built. We wanted to go somewhere we could help build it back to the very top. Our goal is a national championship. Period.”
**The Players: A Program-Defining Package Deal**
The Schoks twins represent a rare package of elite talent on both sides of the ball, providing instant solutions at two premium positions.
* **Elias Schoks** is a prototype edge defender, boasting a 6-foot-5 frame with explosive power and a technically refined pass-rush arsenal. Ranked as the nation’s No. 2 strong-side defensive end, his combination of speed-to-power and a relentless motor has drawn comparisons to former FSU great **DeMarcus Walker**. He is viewed as an immediate impact player capable of revitalizing a pass rush.
* **Ezekiel “Zeke” Schoks** is a complete wide receiver whose game defies simple classification. Possessing a polished route tree, elite body control, and the physicality to win contested catches, he is a quarterback’s dream target. Ranked as the No. 4 wide receiver nationally, his style evokes the versatility and playmaking ability of a young **Anquan Boldin**. He is a threat to score from anywhere on the field.
Together, they form what recruiting analysts are calling the “most impactful twin commitment in the modern recruiting era.” Their decision to stay together and choose FSU provides the Seminoles with two potential Day 1 starters and future NFL Draft picks who will define the program’s identity for the next three years.
**How FSU Won the War: Culture, Vision, and Relentless Pursuit**
The recruitment of the Schoks twins was a two-year battle, masterfully orchestrated by Mike Norvell and his staff. Defensive coordinator **Adam Fuller** led the charge for Elias, while offensive coordinator **Alex Atkins** and wide receivers coach **Ron Dugans** were pivotal for Ezekiel. FSU, once considered a longshot against the recruiting machines of Alabama and Georgia, closed with undeniable momentum.
Key factors in their decision included:
1. **The Norvell Culture Pitch:** The family-oriented, high-energy culture Norvell has meticulously built in Tallahassee resonated deeply with the twins and their parents. The emphasis on personal development and character beyond football was a consistent theme.
2. **The Schematic Fit & Early Playing Time:** The staff presented crystal-clear visions for each twin’s role. For Elias, it was as the versatile anchor in Fuller’s multiple-front defense. For Zeke, it was as the primary “X” receiver in a prolific passing attack, with ample opportunity for immediate targets.
3. **The “Legacy Builder” Narrative:** Norvell sold the twins on the opportunity to be the faces of Florida State’s full restoration to national championship contention—to be the homegrown heroes who led the charge back to the summit, a narrative that powerfully countered the “ready-made” pitch of the SEC powers.
4. **The “Package Deal” Embrace:** Unlike some programs that hesitated to fully commit to both twins equally, FSU celebrated the package from day one, designing presentations that highlighted how they would build around both simultaneously.
**Reaction: A Seminole Resurgence Confirmed**
The commitment triggered immediate jubilation across the Florida State fanbase and earned respect—and concern—from the college football world.
* **Florida State Head Coach Mike Norvell:** “This is a monumental day for Florida State football. Elias and Ezekiel are special young men from an incredible family. They are elite competitors who embody the standards of excellence, toughness, and brotherhood we demand. Their commitment is a testament to their belief in our program’s culture and trajectory. They are going to have a profound impact on our future, and we are thrilled to welcome them to our family.”
* **247Sports National Director of Recruiting Steve Wiltfong:** “This isn’t just a win; it’s a statement. For Mike Norvell to go head-to-head with Kirby Smart and Nick Saban for two of the top players in the country and win, it tells you everything about the momentum in Tallahassee. The Schoks twins are program-changers. This commitment solidifies FSU’s 2025 class as a national top-five group and makes them the clear favorites in the ACC for the foreseeable future.”
* **ESPN Analyst Tom Luginbill:** “Florida State just landed the two most important pieces of a championship puzzle: a dominant edge rusher and a true #1 wide receiver. The fact they’re brothers who are fully bought in only amplifies their impact. This is the kind of recruiting victory that shifts the balance of power in a conference and announces that Florida State is officially ‘back’ as a national recruiting powerhouse.”
* **A rival ACC assistant coach (speaking anonymously):** “It’s over for us if they stay healthy. Norvell just got two NFL guys. The defensive end is unblockable in our league, and the receiver is a mismatch for every DB we have. This is the kind of talent that used to go to Clemson or the SEC. The fact they’re both going to FSU changes everything.”
**The “Schoks Effect”: A New Championship Timeline**
The implications are immediate and far-reaching:
1. **Class of 2025 Catalyst:** The twins’ commitment rockets FSU’s recruiting class into the nation’s elite, acting as a magnet for other top-tier uncommitted prospects who want to join a burgeoning superteam.
2. **Roster Transformation:** They fill critical, glaring needs with blue-chip talent, ensuring no drop-off as current stars depart for the NFL.
3. **ACC Domination:** This commitment firmly re-establishes Florida State as the conference’s preeminent recruiting and projected on-field power, setting a new standard in the league.
4. **National Relevance:** Beating Alabama and Georgia for such a package signals to the entire country that Florida State is once again a destination for the very best, capable of winning any recruiting battle.
Elias and Ezekiel Schoks plan to sign during the Early Signing Period in December and enroll at FSU in January 2025, allowing them to participate in spring practice. They arrive not just as highly-touted recruits, but as the standard-bearers for a program with its sights set squarely on the College Football Playoff. In one transformative evening, the future in Tallahassee shifted from bright to blinding. The Schloks have spoken, and a new era of Seminole dominance is on the horizon.
