The early signing period starts December 19 so here is a preview to get you ready.
Offensive line is the biggest need and getting 4 or 5 would be enough to make most people a little more confident in this group going forward. Getting an extra safety and defensive end would be nice as well. FSU still needs to do some work at defensive tackle, middle linebacker and at the skill positions (running back, tight end and wide receiver). FSU is looking to take at least 21 student-athletes in this class.
Solid commitments are players that have verbally committed to FSU and if they go somewhere else it would be a major surprise.
Five stars
CB Akeem Dent. He’s a big, physical corner that is also quick enough to cover slot receivers. He’s a perfect fit for Harlan Barnett’s scheme as he is used to playing bump and run coverage and being in one-on-one situations.
Four stars
QB Sam Howell is a pocket passer that can scramble if he needs to and will be a weapon in the QB run game once he puts on more weight. He is a smaller but more accurate version of current Texas QB Sam Ehlinger. Howell plans on signing enrolling early.
WR Maurice Goolsby is a tall (6’5’’), lanky, long striding receiver that is good at high pointing the ball and looks like he enjoys blocking.
OL Dontae Lucas is a guard that could start right away with the lack of playmakers on the line. He is a must have for this class.
DE Derick Hunter is a huge defensive end with a quick first step that could move to defensive tackle if he cannot develop better pass rushing moves.
DE Derrick McLendon has very polished pass rushing moves but could be a liability in stopping the run due to his size but if adding more weight to help in that area he could be one of the better players in the class.
DE Curtis Fann Jr is strong and almost fully physically developed. He needs to work on his quickness. He’s a very vocal recruiter for this class on social media.
DE Quashon Fuller is another huge defensive end, which will help against the run later on. I could see him playing as a freshman on 3rd and long to rush the passer from the defensive tackle position.
LB Jaleel McRae is an outside linebacker. He is a good tackler but may need to work on figuring which gaps to fill when defending the run.
LB Kalen DeLoach is another outside linebacker that seems like he would be a perfect fit to play the ‘star’ position in Barnett’s defense. I think he will contribute on special teams as a freshman.
CB Travis Jay is a big corner from Madison County. He is big enough to play safety and athletic enough to return kicks if need be.
S Nick Cross is the no. 1 player in Maryland. He is fast enough to play free safety and also big and physical enough to play strong safety. His skill set makes him a prime candidate to get lots of playing time as a freshman.
S Brendan Gant is a faster but smaller version of Nick Cross. Cross isn’t expected to get to FSU until the summer so Gant may have a leg up on him going into their freshman seasons.
Three stars
DT Tru Thompson is a run stuffing tackle that needs to lose some weight and turn it into muscle. Once coach Haggins helps him with his technique he could be a really good player in a couple years.
CB Renardo Green is a lanky corner with long arms that is solid in man-to-man coverage but is a little slow reacting when playing zone.
Target Players
Targets are players that coaches have reached out to and have a decent chance at signing with the Seminoles. After their name I will predict where I think they will end up.
Five stars
RB Trey Sanders (Alabama), WR Jaden Haselwood (Miami), OL Evan Neal (Alabama), DE Kayvon Thibodeaux, he is deciding this Saturday (Oregon)
Four Stars
OL Will Putnam (Florida State), OL Charles Cross (Mississippi State), DT Tyler Davis (Clemson), LB Derick Hall (Mississippi State/Auburn), CB Marcus Banks (FSU/Texas A&M), S Raymond Woodie III, son of linebackers coach Raymond Woodie Jr and attends Florida High (Florida State)
Three stars
DT Malcolm Ray (Florida State), CB Jarvis Brownlee (Miami), TE Sam Snyder (Baylor), LB Kevon Glenn (Florida State), OL Dewand James (Michigan), OL Maurice Smith (Boston College)
Junior College
OL Jay Williams (Florida State), Josh Cooper (Mississippi State), Kadeem Telfort (FSU is the only team that he has scheduled to visit but he could go back to his junior college)
Transfers
OL Tommy Kennedy (Miami)
– Information is from Wednesday, December 12 at 11 PM
*Rankings from ESPN, rivals.com in 247sports.com
Florida State Football 2019 Recruiting Class Breakdown added by Scott Carswell Jr on
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