Four-star FSU QB commit Jeff Sims gets a taste of Tallahassee football

Florida State four-star quarterback commit Jeff Sims has been a regular in Tallahassee this year.

He's attended multiple FSU events and camps and visited the University numerous times since he committed in February. He has rocketed up the recruiting rankings since then and is now the No. 8 pro-style quarterback and No. 211 overall player in 247Sports' composite rankings.

Sims, a Jacksonville native, is always excited about getting back to campus at FSU for a number of reasons.

"The atmosphere there," Sims told the Tallahassee Democrat.

"The family atmosphere. Getting to know my coaches better. Getting to know the players better. And just being around it."

More:Florida State commits Herring, Greene face off as Madison tops Wakulla in preseason game

More:Projecting FSU football's defensive depth chart for Boise State

More:Projecting FSU football's offensive depth chart for Boise State

Sims was playing football in Tallahassee a few months before he'll be on the Seminoles' roster Friday night.

Sandalwood High played a preseason game against Tallahassee's Rickards High at Gene Cox Stadium. Rickards took home the 14-13 victory after a two-hour delay to the start of the game due to weather.

Sims had an up-and-down night with two touchdowns and three interceptions, all by Rickards cornerback Lionell Whitaker.

Whitaker picked off a slightly underthrown ball in the endzone in the first quarter, ripped the ball away from a Sandalwood receiver while he was bringing it down in the second quarter, and then picked off a tipped pass in the final moments of the game. 

Sims did hit a 45-yard touchdown pass down the sideline in the first quarter and a 14-yard touchdown pass across the middle in the fourth.

The 6-foot-3, 195-pound quarterback also did damage on the ground. He broke a 40-plus yard run on the first play of the game and added a 20-yard run later in the drive. 

"I’m looking to have a record-setting season," Sims said.

"The goal is to take my team to state because we’ve never won one so that’s the main goal."

Sims is locked in on FSU and can't wait to early enroll in January.

He's ready to get to work on winning the starting quarterback job as a true freshman.

"I’m trying to show something," Sims said. 

"I’m trying to show that I have the potential to start my freshman year, but if that doesn’t work out, if I got to redshirt, that’s not a bad thing."

Sims is looking forward to seeing how the FSU offense looks in Kendal Briles' first year with the program.

Briles and Sims speak daily and have built a great relationship since he arrived in December. Sims also speaks with Taggart frequently.

"I talk to them every day," Sims said. 

"It’s just they’ve got something different this year. They just can’t wait to see what goes on against Boise State. I’m expecting a fast-paced offense. An offense that will get down the field quickly and score fast."

Bermudez ready for FSU

Sims isn't the only FSU commitment on Sandalwood's roster.

Three-star cornerback Derek Bermudez plans to join Sims at FSU as an early enrollee.

"When I went there on my visit it was just different than all of the other places I'd visited," Bermudez said.

"I connected very well with the coaches there and the players there so that's where I see myself playing at."

Bermudez didn't play against the Raiders while he was dealing with a slight hamstring injury, though he will be back when the Saints begin their regular season next Friday.

The 6-foot-2, 180-pound three-star is ranked as the No. 44 cornerback and the No. 579 overall player in the 2020 class. 

He's excited that he gets to join Sims at FSU and continue to play together after playing with him for the last four years. 

"He's a cool, fun dude to play with," Bermudez said.

"We've been playing together since ninth grade. We've had a bond since way back when... It's unreal because I never thought I'd be at Florida State."

Reach Wayne McGahee III at wmcgahee@tallahassee.com.