Wednesday Open Recruiting Thread 03.04.09

So it returns!  After a couple of weeks layoff, the WORT!

This week, we debut the 2010 Florida State Recruiting Big Board!  Tomahawk Nation worked for over a month compiling that board and we're pretty proud of ourselves.

This is jam-packed with information, folks.  Come and see every prospect FSU is recruiting, results from the UA combine in SoFla, and an early bird predicted class.

Let's cut to the chase. The Under Armour Combine took place in Miami a couple of weeks ago.  Many top prospects that FSU is recruiting were in attendance.  JC Shurburtt has a great Southeastern blog at ESPN and he was in attendance.

Although there were many high-end prospects at the event, Joyner was perhaps the most celebrated and impressive. The 5-foot-9, 165-pounder is explosive, fast and strong for his size, and he can change direction easily. Joyner posted a 4.47-second 40-yard dash, but it was his final event of the day in the testing portion of the combine. He said after his second try (when he ran the 4.47) that he felt he could run a better time if he were not as fatigued. He had a stellar L-cone time of seven seconds. (All times are unofficial, and official times won't be posted until later this week.)

Joyner also was impressive during the one-on-one and seven-on-seven drills toward the end of the camp. He also did well in the defensive back drills, where he showed quick feet and the ability to turn, run and close fast.

This only confirms what we know:  Joyner is the top prospect in Florida and maybe the nation.  While at the combine, Joyner also said that FSU was his dream school.  Deion may be taking a mentoring role here; he was shadowing LJ during drills.

Darius Davis (Miami/Krop) was the top linebacker prospect at the event. Davis moves well in space and can cover. For linebackers, combines are a great measure of athleticism (Davis ran a 4.4-second shuttle) but really don't tell the story of things such as tackling, courage, fire and the other intangibles that go into being great at the position. That being said, according to several observers who have watched him play since his elementary school days, those intangibles should not be a problem where he is concerned.

I know for a fact that FSU is hard after Darius Davis.  The top linebacker at the event is very impressive, especially at a Miami combine.

Running back Eduardo Clements is one of the fastest running backs in the Southeast and showed it Sunday when he posted a 40-yard dash time of 4.37. Clements has a lot of natural ability and really is one of the better prospects at his position, even though there are many quality running backs in Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties this year.

Many are wondering why FSU hasn't offered this kid.  The reason is simple:  Jimbo wants bigger backs for his offense.  Additionally, Clements had a down Junior year to follow up his impressive sophomore campaign.  Fisher might want to make sure Clements hasn't peaked, especially considering he runs behind an excellent offensive line.   I, however, feel that Clements is too good a talent to pass up.  We had better get on him quick.  UPDATE:  FSU has just offered as of Monday, March 2, 2009.

Florida has offered defensive end/outside linebacker Christian Jones (Winter Park, Fla./Lake Howell). The Gators join Florida State, Miami (Fla.), South Florida and Central Florida in offering the 6-foot-4, 220-pounder, whose dad and brother, both named Willie Jones, played for the Seminoles.

This new offer will make no difference.  Jones is a Seminole.  He, and a few others, are expected to commit at FSU's March 21st public Junior Day.  Another name rumored to commit that day (per Tharinger) is Christian Green.  Green could play either wide receiver or quarterback.

More tidbits from ESPN:

Georgia, Michigan, Florida State, Miami and Boston College are among the programs showing the most interest in quarterback Jeffery Godfrey (Miami, Fla./Central). The 6-foot, 182-pounder also is getting attention from South Florida, Florida International, West Virginia, Georgia Tech and others.

 

Florida State head coach in-waiting Jimbo Fisher extended a scholarship offer to ESPNU150 Watch List wide receiver Tai-Ler Jones (Gainesville, Ga./Gainesville). The Noles are the latest program to jump in with an offer for Jones and offered his teammate, ESPNU150 Watch List athlete/quarterback Blake Sims recently as well.

We are really hitting Georgia hard this year.  Godfrey received an offer from us, per Rivals.

Other notes to get you up to speed on FSU 2010 recruiting.

• We have about 70 offers out right now
• UF has roughly 80 offers out
• Miami has about 55 offers out

Traditional FSU strongholds (pipelines)

South Georgia looks to be loaded
South Florida looks to be as loaded as it's ever been
Tampa looks decent (we are improving here).
Jacksonville is loaded this year
The Panhandle is down compared to last year
The entire Southeast looks to be up from last year.

All in all, Florida has insane talent this year.  The state might be more loaded than it has ever been.  This would be a great year to have a full 25 scholarships available.

NEEDS

5 - 6 DL
2 - 3 CB
3 - 4 LB
3 - 4 WR
1 QB

PRIORITIES

The coaches seem to be after some prospects very hard and some others, well, not so hard.  From what I can gather, here are the prospects that we are on like white on rice.  I agree completely with CaStauch when he says that Jimbo gets fixated on certain prospects.  In 2008, it was Julio Jones.  In 2009, he ignored Andre Debose until he committed to the Gators.  This year, it looks to be Marcus Lattimore. Here they are:

Marcus Lattimore (probably Jimbo's #1 target at any position)
Chris Dunkley
Brandon Willis
De'Joshua (DJ) Johnson
Lamarcus Joyner
Christian Green

I want to do an early bird predicted class.  Disclaimer:  this is subject to change many times.

QB - David Olson (who knows right now)
RB - Debrale Smiley (JUCO, original commit 2008)
RB - Eduardo Clements
WR - DJ Johnson
WR - Chris Dunkley
WR - Fred Pickett
OL - Ed Christian (commit)
OL - Chaz Green
DT - Anthony (Amp) McCloud (JUCO, original Commit 2008)
DT - Tavaris Barnes
DE - Corey Miller
DE/DT - Brandon Willis
DE/DT - Darious Cummings (commit)
LB/DE - Christian Jones
LB/DE - Tevin Smith
LB - Jeff Luc
LB - Darius Davis
CB - Lamarcus Joyner
CB - Terrence Mitchell
S - EJ Johnson
ATH - Devon Wright (S or RB)
ATH - Christian Green (WR or QB)

Now, that's 22 kids.  Do not underestimate the attrition that will occur when Jimbo takes over.  I would like another cornerback, but who really knows?  These are two studs I am really hoping we go after.   I want to see Trickett land a big time stud, a 5 star, so he will not only work with projects every year.  Other than a few kids, this class could be very possible to complete.  If all goes as planned, this could possibly be the best class Jimbo has pulled while he has been at Florida State.  There would be so much five star talent in this predicted class.Plus, it's recruiting, you know some kids will emerge from now until February 2010 (ahem Phillip Thomas ahem).

You might be wondering about the names of EJ Johnson and Devon Wright, two studs not many people have heard of.

EJ Johnson, safety from Cocoa, dominated the state title game.  He had three picks and probably should have had a couple of more.  All were tremendous reads and breaks on the ball.  He is a recruit that will emerge big time over the next few months.  EJ is more than likely a free safety prospect in college.  Good writeup here.

Devon Wright, a RB/S from Miami, is another high level prospect.  There is film on Scout for those that can view there.  I have heard that it is extremely impressive.  Wright is about 6'1'' 195, and he is a smooth runner that seems to glide when he runs.  Good writeup here.

Blake Sims, a 6'0", 180lb QB/ ATH from Gainesville... Georgia.  I'm always hesitant to declare that a kid who just turned 17 must be an athlete as opposed to a quarterback.  Our friends at Chantrant.com have a writeup on him as well as video.  I don't love his work at QB, but he does have a lot of potential at the position.  If he grows 2 more inches, he's a quarterback.  If he doesn't he's Preston Parker, minus the drugs.

Tevin Smith, checking in at 6'4'' 200, is a DE/LB out of Valdosta that we have just recently.  Judging from his videos, he has a great size/speed ratio.  Smith is capable of big hits as well.  We should have a great shot at him with our new Valdosta pipeline.  The only question about Smith is position.  Will he grow into a DE?  Will he remain a LB?  Tevin could possibly commit at our March 21 Junior Day.

And, one more thing to get you excited.  Here is Anthony McCloud's film from high school.

Amp McCloud High lite video (via ytsejam180)

Question of the day:

Other than fill in the existing cells, what should we do to improve the recruiting board?