Recruiting Recap- Offense

by FSUSkot on Sep 8, 2008 10:49 PM EDT in FSU Football

2009 Florida State Targets

Offense

Quarterbacks Recruits

Offers

Additional Status and Info

Eugene Smith
Miramar, FL

BC, Clemson, FSU, Michegan, Louisville, USF

Still open to quite a few schools. Seems to be Jimbo's number one target for the class of 2009. But that being said, not a huge position of need and would not be a huge disappointment if FSU did not sign a qb this class. Seems to be the only QB that FSU is recruiting heavily at this point.

Running Back Recruits	Offers	Additional Status and Info
David Oku Midwest City, OK	Clemson, Florida State, Louisville, Michigan, Nebraska, Tennessee	Recently dropped FSU off of his list. Reasoning? For lack of a better term "they werent showing him enough love". With two backs already committed, and the possibility of British Footman returning, it seems FSU has decided to use its scholarships at more pressing positions of need.
Chris Thompson Greenville, FL	FSU (solid verbal), Clemson, Memphis, Miami	Has been committed to Florida State since the turn of the recruiting calander. Makes up for his lack of size with his breakaway running ability and pass catching prowess. Put up rediculous numbers last year (33 TDs on just 187 carries), while splitting carries. Could evolve into a slot receiver at the college level.
Trent Richardson Pensacola, FL	Alabama (soft verbal), Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, LSU, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Texas	Committed to Alabama for the time being. Has set up official visits, but it seems that the "top running back" to some experts, will stay with his commitment to Nick Saban.
Eddie Lacy Geismar, LA	Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Florida State, Iowa, LSU, Miami, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Tennessee	Numerous big time offers, has yet to determine a top 3 or even a favorite school. A force in the backfield, runs north south better than anyone in the country. Has yet to mention FSU as a possible player in the his recruitment, but at the same token, has not eleiminated them for his services either
Lonnie Pryor Okeechobee , FL	Florida State (soft verbal) Clemson, Florida, Georgia, Auburn	Committed to Florida State, Seems very solid as he grew up a Florida State fan. A dynamic runner, and equally dynamic safety. Might have to move to the defensive side of the ball at FSU, as he is not a perfect fit for Jimbo Fisher's one back offense.
Trabis Ward Ft. Lauderdale, FL	FSU, Miami, Ohio State, South Carolina, UCF	FSU is in his top four along with South Carolina, Ohio State and Miami. Right now, has South Carolina on the top of his list.Not a very large running back (5-10 186), but makes up for this with speed and deceptive power. Has said he will visit FSU officially.
Wide Receiver Recruits	Offers	Additional Status and Info
Rueben Randle Bastrop, LA	Alabama, Florida State,Georgia, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Stanford, Tennessee	The top receiver in the country. It would be easier to list the schools that havent offered him. Has yet to say much in regards to FSU, and seems a long shot at this point.
Andre Debose Sanford, FL	Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Miami, Ole Miss, Ohio State, Oregon, South Carolina, USC, Tennessee, UCF	Has not committed to a visit to FSU, and seems to have other schools (UF, UM, and LSU) higher on his list. He is a game breaker who FSU would love to bring in. A part of the well hyped "sanford trio". FSU could slide back in his top 3 if it could secure a visit.
Willie Downs Tallahassee, FL	FSU (solid verbal), FIU, Clemson	Another early commit to the Noles. Excells on both sides of the ball at WR and S. As with all Godby recruits, grades could be an issue. But is said to be further along than British Footman was at this point last year.
Rodney Smith Miami, FL	Florida State (soft verbal), Auburn, Ole Miss, Rutgers, South Florida, Tennessee, UCF	Florida State commit with size and speed. Is also a great kick and punt returner. Still plans to take additional visits.
Willie Haulstead Titusville, FL	Florida State (soft verbal), Auburn, Boston College, Georgia, Florida, Michigan, Purdue, South Carolina, South Florida, UCF	Committed to FSU in may. Plans on taking all of his official visits. He was a star at Seminole Showcase and caught 45 passes for 648 yards and 13 touchdowns as a junior. FSU will have to fend off the likes of Georgia, Michegan, UF, and USF to keep his commitment.
Xavier Rhodes Miami, FL	Florida State (soft verbal) Auburn, Miami, FIU West Virginia	An early August commitment to Florida State, Rhodes is another in a long line of talented recievers from the South Florida area. Plans on taking officials most likely to Tenn, Miami, Ala, and WVU.
Tight End Recruits	Offers	Additional Status and Info
Logan Thomas Lynchburg, VA	Clemson, Florida State, North Carolina, Penn State, Tennessee, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, West Virginia	Recently opened back up his recruitment, opening the door for FSU to fight for an official visit.
Orson Charles Tampa, FL	Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Illinois, LSU, Louisville, Miami, Michigan, Ole Miss, North Carolina, South Carolina, South Florida, Tennessee	Seems to be an in state race. Not a great blocker, and rarely gets much practice at it. He is normally split wide in Plant's offensive scheme, and is Aaron Murray's favorite target.
Bryan Stork Vero Beach, FL	FSU (Solid Verbal) Syracuse, UCF, FIU	A solid FSU commit. By all indications will slide to the tackle position at the college level after adding size.
Offensive Line Recruits	Offers	Additional Status and Info
John Prior Portsmouth, OH	FSU (solid verbal) Indiana, Louisville, N.C. State, Purdue, Syracuse, West Virginia, Wisconsin	Chose Florida State without ever visiting the campus because of his relationship with Coach Trickett. A very big lineman with a frame to add more size (6' 6" 283)
Shauntez Bruce Tallahassee, FL	Arkansas, FSU, Indiana, Iowa, Ole Miss, Rutgers, South Carolina, South Florida, Wisconsin	Grew up, and is a huge FSU fan. Says that wont effect his recruitment. A lincoln player, so don't expect a quick announcement
Mark Brazinski Somerville, NJ	Boston College, Florida State, North Carolina, Rutgers	A former Rutgers commit that FSU has recently become involved with. One of the top rated centers in the country
Henry Orelus Belle Glade, FL	Florida State (Soft Verbal) Auburn, LSU,Tennessee	Decommitted from LSU, only to commit to Rick Trickett shortly after.

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Comments

This is pretty in depth.

A few suggestions:
You reference the players size (or lack of), without actually saying what that size is.

I think Stork is being recruited to play center.

Lonnie’s and Trent’s verbal commitments are rock solid, IMO, to their respective schools.

Some feel Trickett has no interest in Bruce

I personally do NOT want another offensive lineman.

I am concerned about Haulstead sticking. We really need him. With the possibility that Corey Surrency, Preston Parker, Greg Carr, and Rod Owens leave this year, we will have room to take 4-5 wideouts.

Unique analysis of the 'Noles and the national CFB Landscape at HTTP://www.FSUncensored.blogspot.com

by Bud Elliott on Sep 9, 2008 2:27 AM EDT reply actions

re: This is pretty in depth.

Well, if i put the height, weight, and show size of every recruit, that would be a pretty boring article now wouldn’t it?

I had heard that stork was a tackle, but with Trickett, you just never know.

I agree that Lonnie is solid (but don’t think LSU hasn’t mezmorized our recruits before, and wont try again). And Richardson (as I was told by a friend yesterday) seems to be recruiting for bama during his visits to other schools.

If Trickett had no interest in Bruce, he wouldn’t have an offer

I would prefer a defensive tackle and or corner, instead of another lineman

I am not as concerned about Haulstead, if Downs (qualifies), and stays at WR. That would mean going into next year we would have Reed, Easterling, Fortson, Commack, Rhodes, Smith, Wade, Goodman (if he medical redshirts), and Owens. I think that is plenty of Wrs. But i do see your point that none of those guys are in the mold of Surrency or Carr, in that they are big and physical (i would include fortson, but im worried he might switch to TE)

by FSUSkot on Sep 9, 2008 8:14 AM EDT reply actions

For the love of God, yes. Please take another corner. or DT.

For the reason you mentioned (lack of huge receivers returning), I don’t see Fortson at TE.

This is a bit early, but there are 3 MUST HAVES in the 2010 class for me:

LaMarcus Joyner
Darius Cummings
and 1 of: Clements and Lattimore.

Thoughts?

Unique analysis of the 'Noles and the national CFB Landscape at HTTP://www.FSUncensored.blogspot.com

by Bud Elliott on Sep 9, 2008 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions

I think that the biggest position of need in the upcoming class is actually corner. We only really got one true corner in the last class (parks), and have yet to get anything close to a shutdown corner in this years class. Prob will leave and Tony Carter is a senior. That position to me is the weakest by far. We have loaded up at safety (Moody, Bright, Demps, etc). Also we should level out at DT as well, we are bringing in an excellent class this year. We also have a girth of young defensive ends.

At the qb position we are set, and I think we have a muilitude of options at the RB position for years to come (also, sounds like Footman might be back next year too). And we all know that trickett has a ton of young talent on the line, as well as the two young TE’s (little and reliford).

So IMO, corner should be our number one priority.

by FSUSkot on Sep 9, 2008 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions

I definitely want another corner in this class. I’m not sure who is still out there, though. I really wanted McGee. CB looks to me to be the weakest position in terms of overall talent going into next year, especially if Robinson leaves. Who will be left? Jenije, Allen, Parks, and Mangum? Anyone else? Yikes.

Care to give a brief rundown on Joyner, Cummings, Clements, and Lattimore? I’m not up on the 2010 guys yet.

by andy_wooster on Sep 9, 2008 12:42 PM EDT reply actions

The corner sports next year are extremely shaky. I love Mickey Andrews (FSU’s DC for any Non ‘Nole Fan readers), but he has failed in his job of developing DB’s recently. I think Parks will be a good corner, though some think he is destined to be a safety.

Do not be surprised if we reach out and extend an offer to a JUCO DB.

Joyner— CB—Plays for South Dade. Loves FSU. 5* Lock even at 5’8. Has some of the most impressive film you will ever see from a Sophomore. He is a huge hitter at CB, who has Noel Devine speed. Short (5’8 or 5’9), but he’s only a Junior this year and should continue to grow.

Cummings- Excellent DT prospect. Committed at Showtime camp. Similar build to D’Monte MCAllister (2009 DT Recruit and ’Nole Commit). I expect him to come in around 280LB. Exceptional Quickness and instincts. Should be a good one for us if we can keep him. Plays for Titusville (might be astronaut), an area where we are making progress.

Clements— RB— Loves FSU. RB for Miami Booker T Washington. He’s a beast and probable 5*. Excellent size and instincts. Youtube him.

Lattimore— RB— Byrnes, SC. This will be tough but Jimbo is all over him. This would be the gem of our class in many folks eyes (though in mine, Joyner is the #1 player). He is just one of the best HS football players you’ll ever see. Good, not great size (reports vary, but I’ll say 6’0 200).

Unique analysis of the 'Noles and the national CFB Landscape at HTTP://www.FSUncensored.blogspot.com

by Bud Elliott on Sep 9, 2008 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions

thanks for the rundown

I’m not a fan of short CBs, but Joyner definitely sounds like a must-get.

I had read about Cummings’ commitment but forgot his name. FSU’s DT recruiting really has picked up as of late. Tackle will be back to being a strength of the team shortly.

Landing an elite, pure RB is high on my wishlist.

by andy_wooster on Sep 9, 2008 2:01 PM EDT up reply actions