Florida State football recruiting news from Jimbo Fisher Camp

Florida State had a good first day of Florida State football camp. Let’s get to the news and notes. I am only going to focus on prospects I could conceivably see FSU offering.

Note: Updates from the Wednesday sessions will appear in this comment section

New offers

Florida State gave out two offers after camp Tuesday in 2019 Texas QB Grant Gunnell and 2018 DB Amari Burney.

I covered the Gunnell story here (including video). That was one of the best performances I have ever seen from a player with three years left of high school at a camp. Gunnell’s coach also coached FSU tight end Mavin Saunders, and has a good relationship with FSU’s Texas recruiter and tight ends coach, Tim Brewster.

Burney is out of Clearwater Central Catholic. He spoke with 247sports and Scout

Last summer the Florida State staff gave Burney a bit of advice, they told him they think he should switch positions and become a safety. He listened to their suggestion and it paid off when he received an offer today after camp.

“This camp was all about coming in at a new position,” he added. “Last time I worked at wide recevier and they told me they saw me more as a safety. I’ve been working my technique all summer at safety.” — 247

And

"Jimbo Fisher is a legend, it's a huge offer for me," Burney said. "Just the way they offered. Jimbo pulled me in his office and offered and I liked that. I know that they put a lot of DB in the NFL, and I like that about a school. Also every year they compete for a national championship." — Scout

A source said Burney ran under 4.4 at camp.

Potential offers

CJ Avery, a 6’1, 196-pound safety from Greneda (Miss.) had a good day and told us that a Florida State offer would immediately shake up his recruiting. Will FSU take three safeties (Cyrus Fagan and Daniel Wright are already committed)? That is still to be seen.

“It would be big,” Avery said of a potential offer. “FSU puts DBs into the NFL. I’d love to have that chance.”

2018 receiver Kevin Austin Jr., of North Broward Prep also stood out. He is a Michigan State legacy and our interview with him is below.

2018 Glades Central receiver Gerald Jackson also impressed. He appears to be 6’5, probably 185 or 190 pounds with room for more and he is not as stiff as many young, tall receivers.

Two defensive ends to keep an eye on are Brian Jones and Devontae Davis. Jones is an Ole Miss commitment out of Baton Rouge (La.) Madison Prep, while Davis is from Aiken (SC) Silver Bluff. Jones is the better of the two prospects at this point, though both are growing into their large frames. Jones is 6’5.5, 240, while Davis is 6’5ish and about 250 pounds. Davis broke a bone in his foot prior to his 2015 season and both prospects are very raw. I believe Jones is more likely to receive an offer from FSU than Davis, but I’ll be keeping an eye on both as seniors to see if either develops more explosiveness or coordination.

2019 DB Jaylen McCollough of Powder Springs (Ga.) Hillgrove is a future star. He is already 6’1, 190 and I’d be surprised if FSU didn’t offer.

Visitors with offers

2018 RB commitment Charles Strong again had a good day and looks like he is 25 years old.

2017 LB Walter Grant of Cairo (Ga.) made it down and spent time talking with Jimbo Fisher and defensive coordinator Charles Kelly. He is a top target for the Seminoles.

Chris Nee of Noles247 confirmed that RB Cam Akers is not coming this week. We expressed skepticism Tuesday that he would make it in because he already visited in June. More surprising is Josh Newberg’s report that WR Nico Collins is not coming. This is not the first time a planned trip down fell through for the four-star Alabama receiver. Collins had previously said he was coming and was expected in.

Names if you’re really, really into recruiting

I don’t necessarily think FSU will offer the following kids anytime soon, but they are interesting prospects nonetheless.

-2018 FB Caleb Marquez, of Kansas City: Marquez claimed an offer on twitter, but we are trying to follow up on this

-2020 DT Henry Bryant: Young DT showed some athleticism

-2018 WR D’Marcus Adams, Daytona Mainland: I heard he has been doing well on the 7-on-7 circuit and he had a good day catching the ball with his hands.

-2017 WR James Bostic: Bostic’s father played at Auburn for Jimbo Fisher and his cousin is John Bostic, who played for the Gators. Bostic is high on Temple, NC State and Vanderbilt and wants a Kentucky offer.