Profiling Demarco Artis, Florida State linebacker recruit target

Florida State lost the commitment of legacy linebacker Bradley Jennings jr. Monday evening. The three-star recruit was the lowest rated in FSU’s class, but sources say the staff did not want to lose him.

The move does not come as a surprise. Seven days ago, the Noles offered Demarco Artis, a 6’2, 215-pound three-star from Sanford Seminole. Artis was a UCF commitment, but as of Tuesday morning he has removed “UCF Commit” from his Twitter bio.

Let’s watch his film, and then a state champion high school coach and I will give our thoughts. A commitment could be imminent.

HS Coach: Artis features his hand in the dirt throughout his highlights which leads to the question does he fit more at OLB or ILB?

He uses his above average athleticism at end to get around blockers and pursue the quarterback or ball carrier. Displays a non-stop motor and often times can be seen shedding two or three blockers to make a play. Shows the ability to be able to change direction, line up a target, and unload from his hips through a target. At times he plays a little upright but uses his hands well to get blockers off of him.

The two biggest questions for Artis are can he cover down the field and can he read keys as an ILB? There's a decent change he plays Jack, but I think it's a better likelihood he lines up inside though. There are a couple plays where he comes off the RB and changes to the QB on some read stuff and he seems to find the ball well, doesn't chase air a lot.

Bud: To answer the first question, we turn to his testing scores from Nike’s The Opening Regional event in Orlando. Artis played defensive end during the event, just as he does with his high school team, but he measured in at 6’2.0, 215 which profiles as linebacker size.

If you compare his scores to linebackers within ten pounds at the event, they are quite favorable. Of 32 players (all positions) between 205 and 230 pounds, Artis’ 4.26 shuttle time ranked No. 1. The shuttle time is important because it suggests his ability to change direction is good enough to play linebacker. His 40-yard time (4.89) was in the top third on a slow track. His vertical jump of 35.5 is excellent, rating sixth overall of 34.

Here is Artis’ scores compared to the top linebackers at the event.

In our editorial chat, it was suggested that FSU would take an athlete of Artis’ caliber regardless of Jennings jr.’s commitment status. He may have been a “take” when Jennings jr. was committed, but he’s sure to be a take now in our opinion.