Desmond Malpress is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about edge rushers in the 2025 recruiting class - and for good reason. The Jacksonville (Fla.) Atlantic standout was on campus at Florida State over the weekend for the Seminoles’ second Junior Day of the month, and by all accounts, the visit made a strong impression.
One of the biggest factors in FSU’s pursuit? Newly hired defensive ends coach Nick Williams. Malpress already had a relationship with Williams from his time at Syracuse, and that connection is clearly paying dividends for the Seminoles.
“Great experience since they got my coach, from Syracuse, Coach Nick,” Malpress said. “I love him.
Great coach, love him to death. He’s a great person.
I know he’s going to push me where I want to be - into the NFL. That’s what I want from a coach like him.”
That kind of trust and familiarity can be a game-changer in recruiting, especially when it’s paired with a vision that aligns with a player’s future goals. For Malpress, who’s listed at 6-foot-3, 205 pounds, the NFL is the dream - and Williams is someone he believes can help him get there.
But it wasn’t just Williams making an impact on this visit. FSU head coach Mike Norvell made a statement of his own earlier in the week, showing up at Malpress’ high school via helicopter. That kind of effort doesn’t go unnoticed, and it clearly resonated.
“It meant everything,” Malpress said. “That’s a coach you want to be coached by.
That’s a great coach. Obviously a coach I would want to be coached by.
He’s a motivator. Great guy - very energetic.
He’s going to give you everything you need to be pushed where you want to be. I’d love to be coached by him.
This is definitely a school for me right now.”
Beyond the relationships, Florida State’s defensive scheme also caught Malpress’ attention. The coaching staff laid out a vision for how they’d use him - and it’s the kind of versatility that elite defenders dream about.
“Multiple defense, so they’re going to put me in any position I want to be in,” he explained. “I can be at the 3, I can be on the edge.
I can be guarding a tight end. I just love to do that.”
That kind of flexibility is a major selling point for a player like Malpress, who thrives on disruption and versatility. Whether he’s crashing off the edge or dropping into coverage, he’s the type of defender who can be a difference-maker across multiple fronts.
Recruiting-wise, Malpress is keeping his options open. He visited Georgia last weekend and is heading to South Carolina next. He also has an official visit set with Syracuse - his only one scheduled so far.
According to 247Sports, Malpress is ranked as the No. 83 overall prospect in the nation and one of the top edge rushers in the class. His junior season production backs that up: 10 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks, showing the kind of explosiveness and motor that college coaches covet.
There’s still a long road ahead in his recruitment, but Florida State has positioned itself well. Between the existing relationship with Williams, Norvell’s hands-on approach, and a defensive scheme that fits his strengths, the Seminoles are making a compelling case.