Florida State football, recruiting news: Can Willie Taggart raise FSU from the ashes?

Recruiting:

Wide receivers coach Ron Dugans is hot on the recruiting trail, and he’s targeted 2021 defensive back Phillip O’Brien, Jr.

FSU will open their 2019 season with Boise State at a neutral site and during a recruiting dead period, which means there are recruiting restrictions in place at a time when FSU will want to create much needed momentum among recruits. But that doesn’t mean FSU can’t put on a show.

Football:

Can Willie Taggart raise FSU from the ashes? The answer is yes, though ‘Will he?’ remains to be seen. The national media appears to be catching on to the fact that Taggart inherited a less than ideal, though to him not an unfamiliar, job situation. Hayes’ piece includes some interesting quotes from FSU athletic director Dave Coburn on FSU’s academics and culture under Fisher:

It’s the offseason, and running backs coach Donte Pimpleton posted some videos on Twitter of Big Marv, Joshua Kaindoh, Cam Akers, and Asante Samuel getting after it in the weight room:

Do you agree or disagree with these win probabilities next season?

Is running back Khalan Laborn healthy? If his knee is good to go FSU is going to need him for the upcoming season.

Other Sports:

Hiring Mike “Meat” Martin, Jr. as the new coach of FSU Baseball was a polarizing decision among some parts of the fanbase. TomahawkNation addresses that blowback here. Meat was officially introduced yesterday.

Seminoles.com put out their case for why Meat was the right choice.

Was taking the wonderful Mfiondu Kabengele not enough? Former five-star FSU true freshman shooting guard Patrick Williams is already being labeled a one-and-done, coming off Sports Illustrated’s NBA 2020 Draft Big Board in the first round. At least if this comes true Williams will continue FSU’s tradition of churning out 1st-round NBA talent. The life-changing generational wealth for Williams doesn’t hurt either.

FSU senior Andrew Ewers will make his international debut for Jamaica at the IAAF World Championships in Qatar. He will be joining a number of other ’Noles from the Track & Field team, including teammate Shanice Love and former Seminole Kimberly Williams. Freshman Trentorria Green may have walked on at FSU unheralded from Quincy, FL, but after winning the triple jump at the USATF U20 Championships Green has earned the right to represent the United States at the Pan American U20 Championships next month.

Golfer Frida Kinhult was named a first-team All-American by Golfweek. Beatrice Wallin was named an honorable All-American.

Alumni:

Christ Koumadje signed a free agent deal with the Philadelphia 76ers.

NFL mega-star and DBU alumn Jalen Ramsey sat down to talk with Adam Schefter:

Ramsey is famously known for his candor, but he admits he is maturing in answering questions:

Our top 100 players countdown continues with the indomitable William Floyd.