Florida State football, recruiting news: Will FSU exceed expectations in 2018?

Football:

Florida State certainly fell short of expectations in 2017 but will they bounce in 2018 under Willie Taggart?

The Seminoles, through all of these changes, remain quite talented. Almost the entire offense will return, and their defensive departures will be mitigated by a strong recruiting base. This could easily be a 10-win team again next season. It all depends on how quickly the Seminoles adjust to Taggart. Watch out for a quarterback battle between Deondre Francois and James Blackman.

Jacob Pugh, Matthew Thomas, and Trey Marshall are having strong showing so far at the East-West Shrine Game.

Derwin James could be joining Chris Thompson in Washington D.C according to this Mock Draft.

Defensive end depth took a hit when Jalen Wilkerson declared for the draft but there’s still plenty of talent in Tallahassee.

Coaching staff updates, recruiting visits, the latest edition of the Nolecast has it all.

With the deadline to declare for the NFL draft passing last night here’s who’s staying and who’s going for the Seminoles.

Recruiting:

3-star offensive tackle Jalen Goss is a Seminole. The lean mean prospect is the first commitment of the Grey Frey era.

Could we see another addition to #WestSideNoles Top-100 wide receiver Jalen Hall says that he’s committing soon:

FSU is making a move for 4-star linebacker Xavier Peters whom is committed to Kentucky.

Florida State defensive coordinator Harlon Barnett, assistants Odell Haggins and Raymond Woodie were in West Chester, Ohio today visiting four-star Kentucky linebacker Xavier Peters. The 6-foot-4, 225-pound outside linebacker was heavily pursued by Willie Taggart and his staff at Oregon and that hasn’t changed now that they’re at FSU. A source tell Noles247 that Peters is expected to take an official visit to FSU on January 26th. Despite his commitment to Kentucky, Florida State, Florida and Miami are also involved with his recruitment. It’s unclear when Peters will make a “final decision”.

4-star defensive end Andrew Chatfield will take an official visit to Florida State:

While wrapping up that visit with InsiderTheU.com’s Andrew Ivins, Chatfield made it known he will make his way to Tallahassee to visit Florida State this coming weekend.

“I know I got a Florida State this weekend, but that’s about it,” Chatfield said.

FSU assistant coach Raymond Woodie made his way to American Heritage on Friday to check in on Chatfield, as well as five-star cornerbacks Patrick Surtain and Tyson Campbell.

Basketball:

FSU was unable to continue the momentum from its double-overtime victory over Syracuse last as they fell to Boston College. The ’Noles were uncharacteristically cold from deep.

Alumni:

Despite only playing four games Dalvin Cook was named Minnesota’s best rookie by ESPN.

The Denver Broncos are hoping for more from their rookie class including Demarcus Walker who showed rapid improvement at the end of the season.