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Recruiting:
-This weekend, Florida state will host their final recruits before National Signing Day. Targets four-star DE Brian Burns, four-star DE Jonathan Kongbo, and current UF commit and four-star DT Shavar Manuel should be making the trip as well, though we'll see if that actually happens. They will be joined by current commits four-star RB Amir Rasul, four-star TE Naseir Upshur, four-star OLB Keion Joyner, Three-star ATH Gabe Nabers and three-star OT Mike Arnold as they help the Seminoles make their final push for Kongbo, Burns, Manuel and Manuel. Five-star corner commit Levonta Taylor will also be in on an unofficial.
Florida State Football:
-ESPN listed the most irreplaceable players from this past season, with three of those departing players playing on 2016 opponents, as well from one member of the 'Noles.
Kevin Dodd and Shaq Lawson, DL, Clemson
This is more than a case of Clemson having to replace two of its top defensive linemen, as Dodd and Lawson were arguably the two best defensive linemen in the nation.
They finished first and second, respectively, in tackles for loss last season (Lawson with 25.5, Dodd with 23.5) and were the only defensive linemen in the nation to post 20 or more TFL. Lawson and Dodd also ranked in the top 10 in sacks (12.5 for Lawson, ranked fifth, 12.0 for Dodd, ranked seventh).
The Tigers do benefit from the return of junior defensive tackle Carlos Watkins, who registered 7.5 TFL and 3.5 sacks last year, but all of the rest of Clemson's returning defensive linemen bring back 19 TFL and nine sacks, so it would be folly to expect that group to come close to equaling Dodd and Lawson's impact.
Laremy Tunsil, OT, Mississippi
There are times when a top offensive lineman's draft hype overshoots his on-field production.
That certainly isn't the case with Tunsil, as he looks to be the real deal. According to STATS, LLC, last season Tunsil allowed zero sacks and zero quarterback knockdowns and was charged with only one offensive holding penalty in the six games he played. This performance was an extension of his 2014 season when Tunsil allowed only 1.75 sacks and four knockdowns and was hit with only one offensive holding penalty in the 11 games he played in that season.
The Rebels do have an eventual replacement for Tunsil in the form of five-star recruit Gregory Little, but expecting a freshman to replicate Tunsil's nearly unblemished record is probably too much to ask of a first-year player.
Roberto Aguayo, K, Florida State
Florida State has a long history of superb placekickers dating back to Bill Capece, but Aguayo is arguably the greatest kicker college football has ever produced. His 267 successful field goal and extra point conversions out of 276 attempts gives Aguayo a .967 career combined conversion percentage, a mark that is tied with former Nebraska kicker Alex Henery for the best in college football history. The Seminoles could come close to replicating this performance via his brother, Ricky Aguayo, whose ESPN Recruiting Nation profile says he makes field goals as well as any kicker in the 2016 class, but the odds are still strong that there will be a drop-off from Roberto Aguayo's success rate.
Alumni:
- Speaking of Winston, he seems to be enjoying his time in Hawaii preparing for the Pro Bowl.
Blessed to be with these future Legends @DangeRussWilson and @teddyb_h2o #WeBackInStyle ✊ ✊ ✊ #TheTakeover pic.twitter.com/8aqWaszJ29
— Jameis Winston (@Jaboowins) January 28, 2016
Other:
- "Sad 'Noles Girl finally comes out and shares her story of the day she became famous.