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Florida State football, recruiting news: Seminoles come in at No. 18 in first preseason rankings

The best is yet to come.

NCAA Football: Independence Bowl-Southern Mississippi vs Florida State Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

Football

ESPN released its “way too early top 25” programs for the 2018 season, and the Seminoles come in at No. 18 after an impressive signing day for new head coach Willie Taggart.

“After taking over the FSU program in mid-December, former Oregon coach Willie Taggart gave the Seminoles a much-needed boost by closing the recruiting cycle with a flurry. After inheriting a recruiting effort that had been neglected by the previous staff, Taggart and his assistants assembled a class that ranked No. 11 nationally, the best of any FBS first-year coach.”

Former Florida State staffer Bert Biffani announced that he will be joining Jeremy Pruitt’s staff at Tennessee.

Recruiting

The 2018 recruiting class is now cemented, and the Seminoles have filled their short-term and long-term offensive line needs. We break it down for you here.

FSU has offered 4-star class of 2019 athlete Jaren Mangham out of Detroit (Mich.) Cass Technical. Mangham is a bigger back, listed at 6’1 212lbs and is a physical runner who is tough to bring down on plays. He’s listed as the No. 22 ATH in the class and the No. 8 prospect out of Michigan.

The Seminoles also offered class of 2019 outside linebacker Avery Huff out of Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas.

Getting a head start on the 2020 class, the ’Noles have offered offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr. out of Cincinnati (Oh.) St. Xavier. Johnson Jr. also already has offers from Ohio State, Notre Dame, and Stanford, to name a few.

FSU has also offered 4-star class of 2019 offensive tackle Tanner Bowles out of Glasgow (Ken.) Glasgow. Bowles could serve as a strong and tall presence on the offensive line, listed at 6’5 and 280lbs. He’s currently the No. 5 prospect out of Kentucky and the No. 31 offensive tackle in the class.

Speaking of the offensive line, if you haven’t already, catch up on who Florida State has offered from the class of 2019 and potential targets for whom the Seminoles could aim.

Alumni

FSU alum and star kicker Roberto Aguayo has signed with the Los Angeles Chargers.

Other Sports

FSU baseball is just around the corner, so make sure to get to know some of the new faces out on the diamond this season in Cooper Swanson and Tyler Ahearn.

Our own Lauren Swertfager broke down the Seminoles’ second base battle as they try to solidify their starting lineup.