Florida State football recruiting: Big visitors coming for UF game

The recipe for national titles begins with bringing in more four- and five-star prospects than not. Florida State has done this under Jimbo Fisher, and only six programs have signed a higher ratio of blue chip talent than the Seminoles over the last four classes.

It continues this year, as 13 of Florida State's 20 commitments are rated four-stars or better. FSU is cleaning up in-state, with nine blue chip commits, compared to Miami's five and Florida's zero. This is shaping up to be another top-five class, and could finish as high as No. 2 (behind Alabama) if things break right. The Noles seem to have a very strong group of current commits trying to get other elite preps to join them in Tallahassee, often using the #Tribe15 hashtag on social media.

FSU loses 13 seniors to graduation, and could lose 6-10 underclassmen off the roster to the NFL draft or other opportunities. Florida State can sign up to 27 players in the 2014 class, although 25 is a more likely number. Given that Florida State may be losing 25 percent of its 2014 roster, having players enroll in January and go through spring practice is an important goal in what looks to be a bit of a rebuilding 2015 campaign.

Let's look at what FSU needs at each position, what it already has, and who it might target to fill those remaining needs.

QB

Florida State signed J.J. Cosentino in 2014, a strong-arm pro-style passer. Florida State is slated to return two quarterbacks in 2015, assuming Jameis Winston heads to the NFL, meaning that it needed to take two in this class. This is a rather poor year for quarterbacks East of the Mississippi, and FSU struck out on its top QB targets out West.

The Seminoles elected to combat the issue via quantity. FSU currently has three quarterback recruits: De'Andre Johnson, Deondre Francois, and Kai Locksley. I addressed the situation in Will Florida State really sign three quarterbacks?. Very little has changed since then, though. Texas and Maryland are still interested in Locksley, but it's not all that likely that any of the three flip.

The new detail here is that FSU secured a commitment from 2016 QB Malik Henry, one of the best in the country. Will that knowledge weigh on the minds of any of the 2015 players? We'll have to wait and see.

Skill (RB/WR/TE)

Florida State signed seven skill players in 2014, including two excellent running backs, a terrific trio of receivers, and two very promising tight ends. Florida State will return 15 skill players in 2015. Assuming attrition of one, it will need to bring in five to seven skill players. Within that, it will need at least two backs, three receivers, and one tight end.

RB: Florida State currently has two four-star running backs committed in Jacques Patrick (Orlando Timber Creek) and Johnny Frazier (North Carolina). Together, they are the best tandem of running back commitments in the country, according to the 247sports composite ratings, although it should be noted that this is a down year for the position and there are no obvious five-star backs. Patrick is very solid to the Seminoles, but Frazier is openly flirting with Tennessee, NC State, Duke, etc., and it's questionable if FSU will be able to retain him. Obviously, FSU is a better program than those, but prospects value different things in their recruitment, like distance and playing time.

I was told Frazier is not in love with FSU taking Patrick's commitment, even though he knew it would be happening. FSU needs to get Frazier down for another visit.

There's a reason FSU is keeping contact with Miami four-star commit, Jordan Scarlett, of St. Thomas Aquinas. If Frasier leaves, expect the Seminoles to crank up the heat even more to try and flip him. However, that doesn't mean FSU can automatically flip Scarlett if Frazier bolts. I don't know where FSU would go if it loses Frasier and cannot flip Scarlett. It's possible they could pocket the scholarship and roll with Mario Pender, Ryan Green, Dalvin Cook, Jacques Patrick, and Freddie Stevenson (TB/FB) for 2015.

UF weekend: Jacques Patrick will be in town doing some recruiting to make #Tribe15 an all-timer of a class.

WR: Florida State has three receivers committed in George Campbell (Tarpon Springs East Lake), Nyqwan Murray (Orlando Oak Ridge), and Auden Tate (Tampa Wharton). I believe all three are four-star caliber players, and Campbell, if he continues to improve his catching, could be a fringe five-star type. His athleticism is already there. Tate compares to a Willie Haulstead big-body type, and Murray compares to Bobo Wilson or Kenny Shaw with his ability to work in the slot.

While not publicly committed, strong sources consider Miami Central WR Da'Vante Phillips to be committed. He'll announce at one of the all-star games in January. Phillips is not a burner, but he has very strong hands, is very physical and will be a major red zone weapon.

FSU will continue to try and flip Calvin Ridley (Pompano Beach Monarch). Ridley is committed to Alabama, and the Alabama folks I speak to feel he is solid to them.

Even if FSU cannot flip Ridley, adding Phillips to the three committed would be an excellent haul. Given the emergence of Ermon Lane and Travis Rudolph as freshmen, it'll be interesting to see what happens with Isaiah Jones, who is academically ineligible for 2014 but will have three years of eligibility remaining. However, that's more of a question for the 2016 class.

I don't believe FSU will have room for slot receiver, Ryan Davis, and I mention him only because folks keep asking about him. I am not high on Davis and would save the scholarship for 2016 if given the choice.

UF weekend: Da'Vante Phillips is taking his official visit for the Florida game. 2016 receivers Keith Gavin and Maysoe Wiley will also be there.

TE: Florida State loses Nick O'Leary and Kevin Haplea, but returns three other scholarship tight ends. FSU would like to carry five on scholarship, if possible. The Noles have a commitment from Jalen Wilkerson (Coffee County, Georgia). Wilkerson is athletic, but is unlikely to be an instant-impact player. Tight end is a tough position to learn as a freshman, due to blocking and route running requirements. I don't think FSU is in on any other big tight ends at the moment, but I wouldn't rule out the staff moving on a tight end who emerges as a senior.

Of course, there's also the consideration of keeping the tight end depth chart attractive for 2016, as FSU is in great position for Isaac Nauta, who is moving to Florida and will be attending the IMG Academy in Bradenton. Nauta is currently the best tight end prospect in his class.

UF weekend: Wilkerson will be in town.

OL

Florida State cleaned up along the offensive line on National Signing Day, bringing in seven fantastic offensive linemen. They'll return 10 offensive linemen in 2015, along with attrition of one or none. Teams typically want to carry 15-18 offensive linemen, but FSU may want to space it out a bit between years, so four to six seems about right.

FSU has three commits listed right now: Abdul Bello (Montverde Academy), Cole Minshew (Georgia Coffee County), and David Robbins (Glenelg, MD). Bello is extremely athletic but raw; Minshew is an absolute steal that Georgia has to be kicking itself for not offering earlier; and Robbins is a promising prospect at center or guard.

A source also told me over the summer that FSU still planned to stick with Ethan Frith, who delayed his enrollment to have shoulder surgery so that he wouldn't lose a year of eligibility due to injury. Frith told me he still plans to be at FSU and his surgery went well.

FSU is still pursuing Jalen Merrick, of New Smyrna Beach. Merrick projects as a guard, although he could play right tackle. FSU is battling Florida and Arkansas for his services. Any way you slice it, FSU's two-year haul on the offensive line is great. Merrick was over the moon during his last visit, and he'll return to Tallahassee for the Florida game.

UF weekend: Merrick is indeed officially visiting for the UF game. He'll be joined by FSU commit Cole Minshew.

DL

FSU signed a monster class of defensive linemen, seven in all on National Signing Day 2014. Florida State will return 16 defensive linemen in 2015. Assuming attrition of four, it needs to bring in at least four in the 2015 class.

Florida State has two commitments on the defensive line: JUCO D.J. Jones, and Darvin Taylor (Virginia). Taylor is very solid, but FSU will have to fight any number of SEC schools to keep Jones' commitment.

Jones recently visited Auburn, and told Rivals that he had a four of Alabama, Ole Miss, Auburn and South Carolina, in addition to being committed to FSU ($). He visited Tallahassee for the BC game.

Another defensive tackle, like Neville Gallimore, of Ontario (CN), would be nice, but don't expect FSU to grab a random body. Gallimore has visited FSU, and the Seminoles are battling Oklahoma, Auburn and Ohio State. The DT crop in the state this year is terrible.

Defensive end is where the focus is right now. FSU is still whale hunting with five-star ends: Josh Sweat, Terry Beckner, and Byron Cowart. FSU's chances with the three are somewhat questionable, but it's always nice to at least be in the running.

Sweat's visit to Tallahassee during the Boston College weekend was without his parents and in terrible weather conditions. Virginia Tech, despite their terrible season, remains a major threat.

Cowart told Josh Newberg of Noles247 ($) that FSU is his new leader. He followed that up by saying the same to Derek Tyson of ESPN. I believe he said that to Newberg, and he may like Florida State, but Cowart goes to Armwood High School, and Armwood players simply have not signed with Florida State. If the Gators retain defensive line coach Brad Lawing (I'd keep him if I was the new coach of the Gators), you have to like UF's chances. Alabama is also still in the mix for Cowart.

FSU is also interested in Shelton Johnson, a developmental pass rusher out of Delray Beach Atlantic. They seem to have a good shot at him, as well. Johnson visited with his mother recently, and I expect the Seminoles to land the long pass rusher.

I don't expect FSU to reach too far if it strikes out on the big four, as the Noles are set to have the best pair of defensive end recruits in the 2016 class.

11/26: Terry Beckner is taking his official visit to Tallahassee for the UF game. CeCe Jefferson will also be visiting, though how interested he is in the school is certainly up for debate. And Byron Cowart will also be in town. Yes, that is three five-star defensive ends in town for this game. 2016 DE commit Janarius Robinson and DT commit Cedric Woods are also expected.

LB

FSU signed a great linebacker class on National Signing Day 2014 and will return eight linebackers in 2015. Assuming no attrition, it will need to bring in at least two linebackers, and it's done so in Brian Bell, of Valdosta (Ga.) and Sh'Mar Kilby-Lane, of Hallandale (Fla.). This is a solid pair of linebackers and given the lack of linebacker talent in the state, this is not the year to reach for an extra player.

I was asked if FSU will be taking another linebacker after the dismissal of Ukeme Eligwe. The answer? Not unless a great player wants to come aboard.

DB

FSU needs to hit a home run in the defensive backfield in this class.

Florida State signed a pair of talented defensive backs in 2014. FSU will return 12 defensive backs, but attrition of three should be expected, meaning FSU needs to take at least five in its 2015 class.

Right now, FSU has four committed: Derwin James (Haines City), Tarvarus McFadden (American Heritage), Calvin Brewton (Miami Central), and A.J. Westbrook (Daytona Mainland). James is far and away the best safety in the country, and McFadden is one of the top five cornerbacks in the country. Brewton and Westbrook are nice, versatile pieces as well.

McFadden cancelled his visit to Georgia recently, which is big news for FSU's chances of holding on to the star corner. He also recently tweeted pro-FSU stuff, which makes me think he is more solidly committed than I first believed.

FSU is still pursuing corners Minkah Fitzpatrick (Alabama commit), and Davante Davis of Miami Booker T. Washington, who is also being pursued by Florida, Miami, Georgia and others. Then there's the Texas trio of Kris Boyd, Kendall Sheffield, and Holton Hill. I think Boyd is the most likely of the trio.

Alabama believes it will hold on to Fitzpatrick, and the New Jersey corner is visiting the Tide for the Iron Bowl this weekend.

Keeping McFadden in the fold and landing one of Fitzpatrick, Davis, Hill, Sheffield, or Boyd would be a home run for the Seminoles. Two more would be a grand slam.

11/26: Hill and Boyd are both officially visiting for the game.

Me and my boy @kris23db hitting up Florida St. Next weekend #FSU #OfficalVisit #D1Bound

— HOLLYWOOD (@Hollywood__5) November 24, 2014