Houma (LA) H. L. Bourgeois Defensive Tackle Damien Jacobs commits to the Florida State Seminoles
by FSUSOM on Sep 11, 2009 2:15 PM EDT
in FSU Football Recruiting
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PrintDefensive Line Coach Odell Haggins under the edict of Florida State Head Coach In Waiting Jimbo Fisher to re-stock the defensive line with big bodies added another today. Good to see some of FSU's Louisiana connections come through. FSU was the first school to find this kid. Jacobs had other offers from Ole Miss, Arkansas and Nebraska. Jacobs texted us this morning. He had a blast at the Miami-FSU thriller Monday night, and realizes the potential he has to play very early in his career, due to FSU's embarrassing lack of size along the defensive line. Apparently FSU had him as a silent commitment (if you believe in that type of thing), and asked him to go public this week.
VITALS:
Hometown: Houma, LA
Height: 6'3''
Weight: 295
ESPN Rating: 77 Rating
Rivals.com Rating: 3*, 5.7, ATH #42
Inside: Free Video, Scouting Reports, ect.
Do be concerned if Jacobs gets an LSU offer. The only reason he hasn't committed is because he was waiting on the Tigers.
Scouting Report:
Portions from ESPN Scouts Inc:
Jacobs is obviously a big kid, but his size on paper is not jaw dropping though. He gets off the ball well and will flash the ability to generate some power from his lower body. He can be a tough kid to move off the ball. He does need to watch his pad level. He shows good natural strength, but can tend to play high. He is very active with his hands and is able to violently shed blockers at times even when he is not in a great position leverage wise. He does though need to be more consistent with his hands. Does not quickly change directions, but when he gets moving in a straight-line towards his target he flashes a solid burst for a big boy. He can create push with a bull rush as a pass rusher. He can be active with his weapons to try and knock the blocker out of his way, but does need to channel his movements at times into more efficient pass rushing moves. Jacobs may be feasting on some lesser opponents in high school, but the kid does have good size and is active for a big man. He needs to clean up aspects of his game, but could develop into a troublesome presence in the trenches.
They highlighted a concern with Jacobs: competition. However some of our guys saw Jacobs at some camps, and he looked good, and FSU desperately needs 8 defensive tackles in this class, and at least 4 of them need to be big bodies.
Video:
Damion Jacobs HLB @ Yahoo! Video
Comparison:
Jacobs is similar to Vance Walker of Georgia Tech, who was taken in NFL draft this past year by the Atlanta Falcons.
Current Class:
Here's FSU's class, as it now stands:
QB Clint Trickett
RB
RB
RB (optional)
WR De'Joshua Johnson
WR Jarred Haggins
WR
WR (optional)
TE/ H-Back (optional)
TE/ Hback Tank Sessions
OL Ed Christian
OL
OL (optional)
WDE Corey Miller
WDE/SDE
SDE/DT Tavaris Barnes
SDE/DT Darious Cummings
SDE/DT
DE/DT Cameron Irving
DT/NG Damien Jacobs
DT/NG
OLB
OLB Telvin Smith
OLB Nigel Terrell
MLB
LB Holmes Onwukaife
CB
CB Terrence Brooks
CB
CB
CB/S (optional)
S Chad Abrams
The TomahawkNation.com recruiting map has been updated to reflect the commitment.
Make sure to check the TomahawkNation.com Recruiting Board to stay current with all the 'Nole's current targets!
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total homo lol
"Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable."
"But How will I know limits from lies, if I never try."
by geoffissiffoeg on Sep 11, 2009 4:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Hope he can improve his quickness off ball
Kind of lumbers around …….
Love the size though.
That's what I thought
Didn’t look very good off the ball.
I watched the video before reading ESPN and noticed that he does play too high, needs to work on that.
He seems like a depth provider, but I’m not sure he’ll ever start at DT at FSU with the talent we are bringing in.
by tdchrisdavis on Sep 11, 2009 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions
I think you make a good point
We need (by next year) 320 pound BACKUPS on the DL, not 280 pound starters. I can see this guy turning into a running down player at DT, coming in on first down for a play or two, then coming out. Playing goal line/short yardage D.
Speaking of, how in the heck are we going to stop anybody on Fourth and 1 this year with all the DB sized D-linemen we have? Oh that’s right, they’re quick.
It's awful
McDaniel might be our best DL. As a true frosh, it’s just incredible.
Out DTs are small and our DEs are slow.
I really think we should go with a 335 package. I’d rather have Reid freelancing than Thacker or Stewart mulling around out there.
by tdchrisdavis on Sep 11, 2009 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions
We probably will not stop them.
Look at Bama and LSU. They all have 27 or more front 7 scholarship players. How many do we have? Not counting the two walk-ons we schollied… 23. That’s not acceptable, and it’s even worse when you consider that Harriss, Gresham, Jackson don’t have a shot to do anything good ever.
Stroud
You gotta believe he’ll have ample opportunity to gain a lot of explosiveness. He’s probably not in the best shape. He’ll be here and do well in our system I think. Besides, he couldn’t be any slower than Budd Thacker. It’ll be an immediate upgrade, depth provider and after working out in a way he never has before, could be better than we anticipate.
Glenn Dorsey
His high school build is similar to Dorsey’s. Jacobs hasn’t had a lot of great competition to get up for. When he has played against great teams he has looked unstoppable at times. He has taken on a better work ethic coming into this season and it shows. He isn’t just trying to power through the inferior lineman in front of him, but rather utilizing his huge paws and even using some leverage to split double teams. It is early in his season but he is showing improvement. Can’t wait to see him on a college weight training program. Welcome Damien!!!
by lildrunknole on Sep 12, 2009 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions
LSU is well stocked with DL talent.
They probably won’t offer.
Maaaaaan. He’s got a lot to work on, but he’s got the body to be great.
by pillsburysoldier on Sep 11, 2009 2:22 PM EDT reply actions
Just a thought here...
I was wondering if FSU would have a silent commitment comitt this week to create some recruiting excitement after the tough loss to Miami. If that was indeed the case, does that mean we dont have any blockbuster type silents waiting in the wings?
Or it could just be that he figured out LSU isn’t going to offer and wanted to go ahead in comitt.
by noles 4 life u dig? on Sep 11, 2009 2:31 PM EDT reply actions
Who do you guys think is next?
Commitments I am expecting:
Joyner
Luc
Green
Jones
Willis
Mitchell
Gainer
Smiley
McCloud
That’s pretty much our class. Maybe a Dent or a Gainer.
Really?
You mean not at all in this class?
by tdchrisdavis on Sep 11, 2009 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions
2 differing opinions on whether Luc goes to FSU
I’d like to hear why you guys think he’s a silent or going elsewhere.
You don't expect Luc at all?
Or just not soon? I’ve heard a lot about Luc being a silent, or at the very least having us as his favorite. What happened?
I'm very skeptical.
Others are confident. People outside the program say he’s a silent to FSU. Some say he’s leaning FSU. I don’t see why he would be interested in FSU other than to start from day one. I guess we will find out before December when he’s enrolled somewhere.
SQUAD UP!
I couldn't tell ya.
I would assume so since both were at the game. gahnki has said Luc’s a silent, TR has said he heard Luc was a silent and Gator fans have told me he was a silent.
SQUAD UP!
Regardless of all the rumors
Sounds like our Noles stand a decent shot at landing him. That’s all that matters to me.
With that said, someone mentioned Derrick Brooks as a possible candidate for LB coach. As a member of FSU Board of Trustees, what are the chances of that happening?
I really don't know, but I'd like it personally
Everytime I bring this idea up people raise an eyebrow at me, but Brooks being anywhere near our staff would do wonders for recruiting. He’s incredibly intelligent, he’s young enough to relate with our kids and he’ll immediately command their respect. I just don’t know if that’s a job he wants or not. Like I said he’s really smart and probably has a lot of career options in front of him right now.
That's all that matters to me too.
I completely thought he was a no chance, but it’s definitely good to hear we’re in contention. We’re at least doing something right.
SQUAD UP!
We will see.
IMO Luc’s general motivation is early playing time, and a program that can win while he is there; in that order.
Oops
There is no shot of Brooks being LB coach. On the upside I get to be in the board of trustees meeting next thursday.
I didn't think there was a shot
And I have not heard or read anything in regards to Brooks wanting to coach at this point in his life. But if he wanted to, I think it would be a great hire.
He wont be the next President
We are putting together a long search manual that we will have completed soon, we will go after someone from the academic world with this presidency.
AD is an option down the line I believe, he will continuue to stay very involved int eh workings of the university and the football program.
Brooks as an AD
is what I have been advocating on message boards for years
by NoleThruandThru on Sep 11, 2009 4:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Brooks
FWIW he was on Rome’s ESPN show earlier this week and mentioned as his next step, in order of preference, 1) signing an NFL FA contract, 2) broadcasting and 3) business opportunities. Nothing about coaching. Again, FWIW.
Great....another coach we can't fire and who has never...
done the job before.
Makes ZERO sense.
Do you see UF hiring Emmitt Smith as their OC?
More like Emmitt as RB coach, not OC
At least they played those positions in college.
Where did Jody Allen play again?
I don't know...
but he shouldn’t be a coach at FSU and neither should Derrick.
Buckley has put in his time and shown he will do the work. If Derrick does the same….I am all for it. But it would be a bad hire at this point.
Could you definitively say that it would be a bad hire?
Not that this is even in the realm of possibility anyway, but there’s no reason to assume it would be a bad hire.
Two words for you
Ken Norton.
Derrick Brooks made his living in the NFL by playing with speed, good technique and intelligence. The last two are completely coachable. With his ability to speak, his fame, resume as a player and charity work he would be able to walk into any high school or living room in Florida and knock the socks off any player, coach or parent he spoke to. No other ex-Nole could do that (Deion has too many knocks on his personality). I don’t see him ever taking the job, but it would make perfect sense.
by osceolafan850 on Sep 11, 2009 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions
I think he's comparing Brooks to Ken Norton
And I agree with him. I understand that Brooks hasn’t coached before, but if he were hired i’d have a hard time seeing him failing at it or even being remotely “bad”. If anything his recruiting would make up for inefficiencies there anyway. He’s one of the greatest LB of all time on both the college and NFL levels and has played for/with some of the best defensive minds in the game. He’s always been fundamentally sound despite his freakish athletic ability.
Obviously the entire scenario is hypothetical, but I think he’d be great at it and his intangibles are being underestimated by anyone that thinks otherwise.
by truenole87 on Sep 11, 2009 5:42 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Is it a
“too good to be true” thing? I just don’t get all the skepticism other than the idea of people trying not to get their hopes up about it (which trust me, I DO understand). But I think Luc coming here is completely plausible, even for reasons other than playing immediately. This recruiting class will provide FSU with elite level talent at basically every position on defense. He knows that. Think about the kids we have recruiting for us. His own brother is an FSU alum, his mom doesn’t want him living in Miami and Charlie Strong may not even be in Gainesville next season. I know nothing is guaranteed by any means, but we have a few things in our favor.
Jon Bostic looks amazing at MLB for the Gates.
I just find it too good to be true. Post-FNL some people were saying he was a silent to the Gators. Miami fans swear that he grew up a Cane, and would easily commit there if it wasn’t for mama. Jeff Luc is such an enigma that it’s hard for me to believe that anyone can know for sure that he’s a silent.
SQUAD UP!
He wasn't a UF silent, that stemmed from a long conversation in Meyer's office
and his subsequent actions at FNL afterwards. Jon Bostic is their MLB of the future right now, and he is one of the more talented guys on their roster.
True. But we have no coaching staff....
on the defense. Tough to compete with his level of player when that is the case.
IF Jimbo hires a new DC the day after the last regular season game….maybe
Believe it or not
That hasn’t been a red flag for him thus far. There’s a reason a lot of people think he’s silent. I know its only a rumor, but they all start somewhere.
Also add Kenny Shaw
Not on my game today.
by tdchrisdavis on Sep 11, 2009 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Just put some of this over in the Big Board before this popped up...
Great to see another big body who can potentially play NT/NG. Surely the DL’s lack of depth and embarrassing performance in the Miami game shored this one up if he had doubt before the game.
So far, contributors seem to have a mixed—yet positive—outlook on this guy. If he was merely offered to add another big body with potential to play as an upperclassman, I like it. Plus, the recent wave of injuries is scary. The FSU/UM injury report reminded me of Gone With The Wind’s open-air hospital scene.
Our current commit list shows 4/5 guys who can potentially play DT. I do like the pickup of bigger bodies that we can decide if we should whittle down to be a DE rather than trying to force gobs of whey protein down their throats and pray it sticks to get up to size.
Any potential DL JUCO's other than McCloud?
We need help next year… I mean, who is our line in 2010?
DE – White (nothing special
DE – Jenkins (still young, a bit undersized
DT – Jacobbi (good)
DT – McCloud? Stevens?
We need another DE and another DT who can perform next year. None of the freshmen can do that. Maybe Miller can play some DE, but only in passing downs.
Not me
Personally I don’t believe the “silent” talk. I do think FSU is in the driver’s seat but UF is still very much in the picture.
by NoleThruandThru on Sep 11, 2009 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions
I want some big guys, but
I remind myself LSU keeps reloading with monsters up the middle, but even with some big DTs last year and to start this year their defense was not great. Gotta have size with some decent speed/skill.
You need the size before the speed.
We may as well be playing 3 borderline SS (our LB), 2 LB (our DE), and 2 DE (our DT) as our front seven.
SQUAD UP!
They had coaching issues
It will take more than one game for them to straighten everything out.
by osceolafan850 on Sep 11, 2009 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Nice to get a big DL guy!
Hopefully he has good character and works hard .
Welcome Damien!
Any words on his grades?
I read he scored a 16 on the ACT.
by noles 4 life u dig? on Sep 11, 2009 4:23 PM EDT reply actions
Last minute defensive changes for tomorrow's game
Per Democrat:
http://nolesports.tallahassee.com/article/20090911/FSU03/90911005
Nick Moody will make his first start on Saturday just as defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews had indicated on Thursday. The redshirt freshman will start at rover ahead of Korey Mangum against Jacksonville State.
That’s not the only change on the official two-deep roster in the secondary.
True freshman Greg Reid has replaced A. J. Alexander as the No. 2 boundary cornerback behind Patrick Robinson. Andrews had said that he expected Reid, who played at nickel back against Miami, to get some work in FSU’s base defense. That could be at both cornerback positions.
Terrance Parks, who missed the Miami game because of a hamstring injury, is the No. 2 free safety behind Jamie Robinson.
Ochuko Jenije, who started at field cornerback against Miami, is listed in an either/or situation with Dionte Allen as the starting cornerback for the Jacksonville State game. That looks to be a game-time decision.
There are no changes on the depth chart for the offense.
by FtLauderdaleNole on Sep 11, 2009 4:24 PM EDT reply actions
Have you ever seen Tavaris Barnes' profile pics captions?
Or some of his status? He adds “no reason” to everything lol.
Grillin’ no reason.
Chillin’ no reason.
Since Barnes was talking with Jacobs and doesn’t know the hellaswag man, I think he’s “committed no reason.”
SQUAD UP!
You can't have 8 superstar commits on the DL
need some glue guys, some good depth options. But who knows, maybe four years from Now Jacobs is a 1st rounder. I just don’t think he’ll ever be a true force down the line.
Love this commit- need some success in Louisiana, especially if we want any chance at some of the ridiculous LA talent coming up in the next few years.
by NoleThruandThru on Sep 11, 2009 5:02 PM EDT reply actions
I'm excited to see Jacobs in this class, but I wish we were looking to add a couple more JUCOs to this class...
The only 2 players in the 2010 class could start for FSU next year are Smiley and McCloud. Luc might be able to start, but he is just a rare type of high school athlete. Some of our other blue chippers will be ready to provide a some minutes as depth, but they wont be ready to take a majority of the snaps.
As good as our offense is looking this year, next year it could be really special. The whole OL will be back, and there is a good chance they will all be over 300lbs next year. I know Ponder will get NFL attention, but I think he stays to finish his masters. We add Smiley to the 4 quality RB we have now. We lose the 2 senior WRs, but Fortson, Reed, and Easterling will be back, and we add Haulstead, Smith, and Rhodes to the rotation. Reliford and Little should be able to step in for Caz.
We’ll have some young quality depth, and will look better at most spots. I would like to see a JUCO CB and a JUCO DT to add to the rotation of McDaniel/McCloud//McCray. If you play McAllister at DT, that only leave Dawkins/Stevens/Hicks and maybe White on the outside. It’d be nice to p/u a JUCO DE too.
I have six locks on my door all in a row. When I go out, I only lock every other one. I figure no matter how long somebody stands there picking the locks, they are always locking three.
Elayne Boosler
I'm in the crowd that thinks
Corey Miller for sure and possibly Darious Cummings be ready to contribute early. Brandon Willis could project as a SDE and if he’s an EE like Miller they could both be ready to get in the rotation by next September (assuming he’s committing to us like we think he will)
Neither will be any worse than what we saw Monday night
I think we’d all agree that regardless of youth, next season will be an upgrade on the DL
Corey Miller will play
no doubt in my mind
by NoleThruandThru on Sep 11, 2009 6:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes, but it is enough to make a run at a NC?
I think our offense might be that caliber next year, and I think while Willis and Miller will EE, we still wouldn’t want them taking the majority of snaps if we expect to make a run at the NC next year. I do think they provide quality depth even as true freshmen. We need a couple of guys ready to add to the line. Say we keep White next year. The two deep would be SDE McAllister/, DT McDaniel/, NG McCray/McCloud, WDE White/Stevens. These are allk guys that next year you would feel comfortable in those rolls. We need to fill in those question marks with JUCO, IMHO…
I have six locks on my door all in a row. When I go out, I only lock every other one. I figure no matter how long somebody stands there picking the locks, they are always locking three.
Elayne Boosler
This was supposed to be a reply to truenole....
I have six locks on my door all in a row. When I go out, I only lock every other one. I figure no matter how long somebody stands there picking the locks, they are always locking three.
Elayne Boosler
I think the realistic target year for a NC is 2011
That’s my personal opinion. But When I look at our depth chart next year, I think the factor to recognize in our freshman class will be is that they represent bodies that simply are not there this year. Meaning that if anything they can keep our starters and 2nd stringers more fresh. Don’t forget Brandon Jenkins will be heavy in that rotation as well. I’d argue that as 2 legit 4-5* caliber players from a winning program as EE’s both Miller and Willis would at the very least provide depth. Also, Everette Dawkins may finally have the opportunity to play his natural position next season now that we’re revamping our interior line.
Yes, it is.
I really believe that. The offense might be really really good and the defense just good enough.
You have to think our offense might take a small step back in 2011.
New QB, Hudson and McMahon gone…I’m not implying they will be bad, just not quite as explosive as 2010…
I have six locks on my door all in a row. When I go out, I only lock every other one. I figure no matter how long somebody stands there picking the locks, they are always locking three.
Elayne Boosler
I guess my reply button is broke...
I refuse to admit user error, but before you ask, I’m not MA.
I have six locks on my door all in a row. When I go out, I only lock every other one. I figure no matter how long somebody stands there picking the locks, they are always locking three.
Elayne Boosler
Yes our offense may take a small step back
But I don’t expect it to be a bad one at all. We’ll be in the midst of consistent coaching and player development by 2011 for the first time in a long time at FSU. EJ Manuel presumably starting at QB and you’d have to assume he’s had an opportunity to play quite a bit by then, along with some pretty good and some elite skill players around him. Remember how young a lot of our best skill players on offense are right now, and of that bunch the only one I see possibly making the early jump to the NFL is Fortson. Then you consider that our defense in 2011 (especially if we haul in the class this year we think we will) WILL BE ELITE. An ELITE defense and an offense anywhere from decent to outstanding puts you in a good position to play for a NC.
The recruiting department asked me to head over to LA for some S & M with Jacobs so I obliged.
We met up with some local players at the Terrabonne Parrish Pool. Unfortunately the caliber up guys that showed up was less than par. We had a great time anyway and played for several hours.
Here is what I learned from our time together…
-Big body that was tough to swim around
-He was a little slow off the wall and needs to work on his push-off. Weak flip-turn.
-Strength and athleticism helped compensate for unrefined technique. Easily could handle two minnows on defense.
-Ate 4 lbs of gumbo after the games, so there is no chance of Trickett taking him from the D-line.
-Showed great attitude and competitiveness. Should be a solid contributor.
OH YEAAHH!
by TBfisherman on Sep 11, 2009 8:28 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I dont know
You know part of me is happy about this “unkown” talent that we are finding. Especially since i have watched over the year these 3 star and lower guys bringing it to us.
But i have to say that this class has consisted of so many “unkowns” it is making me suspicious as to the actual promise this class will offer.
I can care less about star, etc but IMO we still need some big names (that actually qualify) in this class.
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