Florida State appears to be in a good spot for 2023 safety Kenton Kirkland.

The 3-star prospect will announce his commitment on Monday, and the Noles are in the lead according to one of the industry’s most-accurate experts.

247Sports’ Steve Wiltfong put in a Crystal Ball projection for Kirkland to pick Florida State on Friday. Wiltfong is the first 247Sports analyst to formally project Kirkland to pick the Noles. Other experts have been expecting him to side with his other finalist, Kentucky.

Kirkland visited Florida State twice this summer. He’s a Jacksonville native who attends Raines High School. He’s listed at 6-foot-1, 187 pounds.

He’s the No. 44 safety in the country, according to 247Sports Composite rankings. He’s also the No. 490 overall player in the class of 2023.

Florida State picked up a pair of commitments last week and now has 13 commitments in its 2023 class. The group ranks No. 26 nationally, according to 247Sports Composite rankings. If Kirkland picks FSU on Monday, the Noles would presumably move into the top-25 of the national rankings.

Here are some highlights from Kirkland’s junior season: