Florida state has signed defensive back from…

Bates had previously committed to LSU but decommitted after visiting Tallahassee to watch the Seminoles defeat the Miami Hurricanes. On June 11, he paid an official visit to Tallahassee. This time, FSU was able to beat out Alabama and Tennessee to land Bates.

Bates is a two-way player for Edgewater, playing WR and CB and utilizing his long arms on both sides of the ball. Last season, he moved to cornerback and promptly intercepted four passes (three in one game) and recorded seven PBUs. Though he is still learning the position, Bates has a high ceiling and the size and length that defensive backs coach Pat Surtain is looking for. He had an excellent 2023 season and appears to be a key contributor in the secondary.

Four-star prospect and top-20 national cornerback prospect…In the 247Sports Composite, he is ranked No. 87 overall nationally, No. 8 cornerback prospect in America, and No. 14 overall prospect from Florida…Rivals ranks him 10th at his position nationally, 12th in Florida, and 76th among all Class of 2024 prospects…148th on the ESPN300…Edgewater three-year letterman and two-way athlete…made 26 tackles, seven interceptions, 13 passes defensed, and 36 receptions for 621 yards and four touchdowns…

His senior year, he had 23 tackles, three interceptions, and nine passes defensed to help Edgewater to 11 wins and the regional semifinal round of the 3M state playoffs…During his junior season, when the Eagles advanced to the regional finals of the state playoffs, he had four interceptions and four passes defended in addition to 17 receptions for 241 yards and one touchdown…As a sophomore, he had 17 catches for 363 yards and three touchdowns, helping Edgewater to the regional semifinal round of the 7A state playoffs…Edgewater also competed in basketball and track and field.