Florida State Making Strong Push for QB Derrick Baker Amid Indiana, SEC Competition
Florida State is making a serious move for a rising quarterback prospect, and this one could carry a little extra weight given the competition.
Derrick Baker, a 6-foot-2, 220-pound quarterback out of Alpharetta, Georgia, has started to turn heads across the college football landscape. He’s a three-star talent, but don’t let the stars fool you-his offer sheet is beginning to look like a who's who of college football. And yes, that includes the defending national champions, Indiana.
That’s right. Indiana.
The Hoosiers just captured their first-ever national title, and they’re not slowing down. Their championship run has given the program a new level of recruiting cachet, and Baker is among the prospects they’ve targeted as they look to build on that momentum.
But Florida State isn’t backing down from the challenge. The Seminoles have zeroed in on Baker, and his recent visit to Tallahassee might’ve just moved the needle.
A Visit That Made an Impression
Baker recently spent time on FSU’s campus and came away impressed-not just with the facilities or the atmosphere, but with the people running the show. He met with quarterbacks coach Austin Tucker and assistant Tony Tokarz, and the conversations went far beyond the usual recruiting pitch.
“It was phenomenal,” Baker said of his visit. “Getting to see coach Tucker here, I know the last time I came, coach Tokarz was here.
Really getting to sit down with coach Tucker and go on the white board and really get to break down some of the stuff they run - their fundamentals. It really gave me a deeper insight of what this whole program is about.”
That kind of deep-dive into scheme and philosophy is exactly what quarterbacks want when they’re evaluating potential fits. It’s not just about being wanted-it’s about finding a place where they can grow, learn, and thrive in a system that suits their strengths.
Building Bonds with the Big Names
Baker also got face time with the top of the offensive food chain in Tallahassee: offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn and head coach Mike Norvell.
“Getting to sit with coach Malzahn and coach Norvell, getting to talk to them again. I know I've been able to do it before.
It's just nice to continue to build a relationship,” Baker said. “It’s phenomenal.”
That word-phenomenal-keeps coming up. And when a recruit uses it repeatedly to describe a visit, it’s a good sign that the program is doing more than just checking boxes. FSU is clearly making Baker feel like a priority.
The Recruiting Landscape
Baker may be a three-star on paper, but his recruitment is shaping up like that of a much higher-rated player. In addition to Florida State and Indiana, he holds offers from Georgia, Tennessee, and Auburn. That Auburn connection comes with an interesting wrinkle-Baker plays for Cam Newton’s 7-on-7 team, giving the Tigers a unique link to his development.
Still, Indiana stands out on his list. The Hoosiers have become a legitimate player in high-level recruiting conversations, thanks to their recent success. And for a quarterback, joining a program fresh off a national title has its obvious appeal.
But FSU’s consistency and relationship-building might be the difference.
Where Does FSU Stand?
So where do the Seminoles sit in this race?
“FSU is definitely at the top of the list,” Baker said. “They're a school I've been to a lot of times and been able to build the most relationships with - especially Norvell.
I've seen him the most out of any of the head coaches I've been around. That's a strong relationship right there.”
That kind of familiarity matters. In a recruiting world where constant communication and trust are king, Norvell’s presence in Baker’s process could be a game-changer.
The Bottom Line
Florida State’s pursuit of Derrick Baker isn’t just about adding another quarterback to the room-it’s about landing a player who fits the culture, the system, and the vision of where this program is headed. And with Indiana, Georgia, Tennessee, and Auburn all in the mix, the Seminoles are going to have to continue pushing hard.
But based on Baker’s words, they’re already in a strong position. Relationships, insight into the offense, and repeated visits have put FSU firmly in the conversation-and possibly out in front.
This is one to watch.