Tim Brewster is in Philadelphia Tuesday to see 4-star tight end Naseir Upshur, who is committed to Florida State.
-Florida State coaches hit Louisiana Monday to see commitment Kyle Meyers, a four-star cornerback, and Clifford Chattman, a three-star safety/outside linebacker target. The pair are visiting this weekend along with Chattman's teammate, four-star defensive tackle Stephon Taylor.
FSU was expecting him, we'll see if he reschedules. (Also might end up in a JUCO, so this could all be moot) https://t.co/0YUGAHpfiI
— Bud Elliott (@TomahawkNation) January 19, 2016
-Florida State dropped in on 5-star Jonathan Kongbo Monday. Most think the JUCO star is Alabama bound, but FSU is not giving up.
Good to see @CoachLawing from Florida State today, I call him the "professor" pic.twitter.com/Z61BJEeIQ7
— Jonathan Kongbo III (@King_Kongbo) January 19, 2016
-Florida State is getting a visit from Pie Young this weekend, an athlete from Miami Senior High. Young likes playing receiver, he told me over the summer, but I really like the 5'10.5, 175-pounder at cornerback because of his hips, flexibility and quickness for a long strider. By the way, he is Devonta Freeman's nephew. Check out his highlights.
I believe FSU is recruiting Young as an athlete, which roughly translates to "we'll figure out the right position once you get on campus."
-Numbers: I think Florida State has about six spots left in its class, but it needs to recruit like it has eight in case currently committed prospects flip. Signing less than 24 in this cycle would be a mistake.
Alumni
-Her's Pro Football Focus on Derwin James and Josh Sweat.
Analysis: The best true freshman in the nation this season, James looked like a future star as soon as he took over as a starter in Week 6. He finished with a plus-30.3 overall grade, second-best among all safeties in the nation, grading well across the board against the run (plus-10.1), in coverage (+7.2), and as a pass-rusher (+13.3). Perhaps most impressive from James is his ability to line up as a deep safety on one play and a true edge rusher on the next play as many of his 22 pressures (on only 63 rushes) came on one-on-one situations against offensive tackles rather than unblocked blitz situations. James is a special player.
Analysis: The top true freshman edge defender against the run, Sweat made an impact early on in Florida State's defensive line rotation. He finished with 16 run stops, good for third in the class, but it was his ability to blow up blockers on running plays that proved most valuable for Florida State's defense. There is room to improve as a pass-rusher where Sweat picked up two sacks, two hits, and 27 hurries on 348 rushes.
-Giorgio Newberry apparently did well in something called the Tropic Bowl. Maybe he'll be drafted?
Other
-In my daily newsletter, I wrote about Ohio State wrecking Maryland's recruiting class.
-LSU has the best shot to end Alabama's six-year run of No. 1 classes.