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Florida State football, recruiting news: Who is FSU's secret weapon?

By Andrew Miller
Stacy Revere/Getty Images

Football:

- Bleacher Report broke down each playoff contender's secret weapon, giving DB Tarvarus McFadden that title for Florida State. The sophomore played in seven games last season, which was due to the talent above him on the depth chart limiting McFadden's opportunities. Who would you think Florida State's secret weapon will be?

Florida State isn't regularly included in the "DBU" discussion, an arbitrary debate between Florida and LSU over which school produces more top-quality defensive backs, but it should. The Seminoles secondary seems to always have several great corners and safeties—to the point that some highly rated prospects have to wait awhile to get onto the field.

It's how Tarvarus McFadden, the No. 15 player in the 2015 recruiting class and the third-rated corner, only managed to appear in seven games and log four tackles (three against FCS school Charleston Southern) because of the talent ahead of him on the depth chart.

But with Jalen Ramsey in the NFL, the Seminoles have an opening at corner, which is McFadden's for the taking as long as he can hold off fellow sophomore Marcus Lewis and another 5-star freshman, Levonta Taylor. FSU will have its hands full with Ole Miss' receiving corps in the season opener on Labor Day in Orlando, meaning McFadden figures to be put to the test early and get to prove himself right away.

- Miami (FL) announced earlier today that the school had sold out of single game tickets for the Florida State vs. Miami matchup in Miami Gardens on October 8th. Last time the schools met up in South Florida in 2014, the teams drew 76,530 fans, much higher than UM's 2014 home average of 52,517 (48,515 not including FSU).

- In case you missed it, we broke down the Florida State defensive ends group ahead of the 2016 season. Besides DeMarcus Walker and Josh Sweat, there are other impactful weapons that Florida State has. After adding in the depth at the position, will FSU have one of the best defensive end duos in the NCAA?

Recruiting:

- 2018 four-star tight end Jeremy Ruckert from Lindenhurst (NY) released a list of schools that he will mainly be focusing on, with Florida State included in the mix among Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Ole Miss, Penn State and a few others. The 6'5 220 lb. athlete is ranked the 117th overall player and sixth best tight end in the nation by 247 rankings.

Alumni:

- Carolina Panthers WR Kelvin Benjamin returned to game action for the first time since tearing his ACL in preseason workouts last season. He would go on to add a catch early in the first quarter against the Ravens.

- Tampa Bay Bucs QB Jameis Winston had a great start to the preseason, throwing for 97 yards and a touchdown in Philadelphia. 2017 second round pick Roberto Aguayo would go on and hit the uprights on his extra point attempt, admitting he had butterflies that attributed to the missed kick.

With concern about injury, 2016 first round pick Jalen Ramsey did not play in the Jaguars' game in New York.

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