Recruiting
From Howell’s flip, to the linebacker corps being revamped, we’ve got your one-stop shop to the early signing period on Wednesday.
Head Coach Willie Taggart met with the media on Wednesday afternoon to give updates and thoughts on the early signing period.
In perhaps the most significant move of the day, 4-star and Elite-11 quarterback Sam Howell decided to de-commit from Florida State and signed with his home state UNC Tar Heels.
GDTBATH #GoHeels pic.twitter.com/rGXCvEcqDN
— Sam Howell (@Sam_Howell2) December 19, 2018
Florida State now has just one scholarship quarterback on the roster. The position is in a precarious spot, writes Brendan Sonnone.
FSU spent a ton of time and energy on Sam Howell. Now the future of the quarterback room is up in the air after his Heel turn.https://t.co/WP8I26aKvx
— Brendan Sonnone (@BSonnone) December 19, 2018
The Seminoles landed a big signing when Dontae Lucas announced he was all-in with #Tribe19.
Pope gonna bless 'em.
— FSU Football (@FSUFootball) December 19, 2018
Rounding out #Tribe19 on the first day of #NSD19: @7totha8.
Full bio: https://t.co/NTP7bT8wzf pic.twitter.com/pG8Wg6KylJ
Here’s the biggest news from around the country after National Signing Day came to a close.
Current ’Noles were excited to welcome in #Tribe19.
Excited and ready to work with all my new brothers #Tribe19 . Welcome to the family ❤️
— Cam akers (@thereal_cam3) December 19, 2018
Football
Just when you thought the drama of National Signing Day was over, the day took a weird twist. At around 6:30pm on Wednesday, the Orlando Sentinel first reported that Deondre Francois, according to three different sources close to him, was on his way out of Tallahassee. Not weighing his professional options with the potential of returning to FSU...but leaving the Garnet & Gold and either declaring for the NFL Draft or transferring.
#FSU QB Deondre Francois will not return to Seminoles, plans to move to NFL or transfer https://t.co/WWewVAp8kt pic.twitter.com/OImmyypNEP
— Chris Hays, Orlando Sentinel (@OS_ChrisHays) December 19, 2018
That’s when Francois took to Twitter, adamantly refuting the report.
Fake news-Stop spreading rumors https://t.co/Adu4r8llgb
— Deondre Francois™ (@_Dirtie12) December 20, 2018
Francois even called the Orlando Sentinel and had them change the report.
Update: FSU QB Deondre Francois says he'll test NFL waters, but could still return to FSU https://t.co/GoAkkIlTm0
— Chaunte'l Powell (@chauntelpowell) December 20, 2018
That’s when everyone started getting along again.
Thank you. https://t.co/BXXluL2ddk
— Deondre Francois™ (@_Dirtie12) December 20, 2018
Other Sports
Florida State Basketball took care of business at home against UNF, taking down the Osprey’s 95-81.
Alumni
One former Seminole is making noise in the NFL, and it earned him NFC Offensive Player of the Week.
Offensive Players of the Week (Week 15):
— NFL (@NFL) December 19, 2018
AFC: @Chargers WR @darealmike_dub
NFC: @Vikings RB @dalvincook pic.twitter.com/nzeLlGp7Pm