Noles News: Taggart, FSU close out National Signing Day in class

Recruiting

Florida State football head coach Willie Taggart regularly tweets out the phrases “do something” and “have a great day, if you want to.” On National Signing day, Taggart’s staff certainly “did something” and “had a great day” doing it.

When Taggart took over in the middle of December, the 2018 recruiting class was in shambles. In the wake of the destruction that Jimbo Fisher left, FSU held the No. 64 overall recruiting class and saw several players de-commit from the school following his departure.

Less than two months later, a furious recruiting charge saw the Seminoles finish with 21 signees and the No. 9 recruiting class per Rivals and the No. 11 class per 247. Only two ACC teams, Clemson and Miami, finished with better overall classes. It should also be noted that the ’Noles passed Florida and Texas A&M, neither of which finished in the top 15.

FSU flipped 3-star wide receiver Jordan Young from Tennessee as well as 3-star running back Anthony Grant, taking top talent away from the SEC.

On what was already a successful National Signing Day for #Tribe18, the FSU war room lost it when 4-star receiver Tre’Shaun Harrison announced his commitment to the Seminoles. Harrison, the No. 2 player in the state of Washington and No. 7 player at his position, provided a huge boost to the class.

FSU also beat out Miami for 3-star DL Jamarcus Chatman on National Signing Day. Chatman is the No. 35 overall DT from Rome (Ga.) High School and is joined by fellow DT Dennis Briggs Jr., who also chose FSU over Miami. Again, the Seminoles beat out another in-state rival, Florida, for the No. 9 defensive end in the class in Malcolm Lamar, out of Seffner (Fla.) Armwood High School.

For the full list of the players who signed today and in the early signing period (as well as the songs that went along with their announcements), click here.

However, Taggart and his staff were not ready to rest on their laurels with a Top 10 2018 class— 2019 is on deck.

Sam Howell, a 4-star pro-style quarterback from Monroe (N.C.) Sun Valley High School, picked up an offer from the ’Noles today. With no quarterbacks in the 2018 class, shoring up the position is now a priority for next year. It’s worth mentioning that Howell has a long-standing relationship with new FSU QB coach and offensive coordinator Walt Bell.

Taisun Phommachanh, a four-star dual-threat QB from Bridgeport (Conn.) Avon Old Farms High School, also was offered by FSU today.

The ’Noles also offered Cameron Williams, a 4-star weak-side defensive end from Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna Prep School. Williams committed to the University of Miami on Jan. 20.

Football

Florida State had nine players invited to the NFL combine, which was the fifth-most overall and tied with the Miami Hurricanes total for the most in the ACC.

The players invited are as follows: Ryan Izzo (TE), Derwin James (S), Rick Leonard (OL), Tarvarus McFadden (CB), Derrick Nnadi (DT), Jacob Pugh (OLB), Josh Sweat (DE), Auden Tate (WR), and Matthew Thomas (LB).

Other Sports

The FSU men’s basketball team fell 59-55 to No. 2 Virginia at home last night after a second half disappointment. Up next, the Seminoles will play Notre Dame (14-10) on the road Saturday afternoon.

As for the No. 12 women’s basketball team, they will take on Virginia tonight at home.

Alumni

At the Virginia game last night, former FSU standouts and current Jaguars players Telvin Smith and Jalen Ramsey sat court-side after meeting with members of the football coaching staff earlier in the day.