Florida State football, recruiting news: Which FSU signees project as 2017 contributors?

Recruiting

Thursday saw the Tomahawk Nation staff wrap up its look at the 2017 recruiting class by analyzing the offense as well as the defense of Tribe17.

Here’s a look at how this year’s recruiting class stacks up with those of years past.

It’s never too early to look ahead to next year, as proved by Wayne McGahee of the Tallahassee Democrat sharing his list of the ten FSU targets to watch in the 2018 recruiting class.

Florida State’s 2017 class has a unique claim which is relevant on the national level, as pointed out by TN’s Andrew Miller.

Brendan Sonnone of Noles247 shared some recruiting firsts that Florida State experienced in its 2017 class including this gem.

...FSU signed a tailback from out of state (JUCOs excluded)

Cam Akers is the top-ranked running back FSU has signed under Fisher and he’s also the first running back the Seminoles have gone out of state for under the current regime. You could make the case that Debrale Smiley (from Itawamba C.C. in Miss. by way of Thomasville, Ga.) counts as an out-of-state running back, but he was recruited as a fullback for the Seminoles. Gabe Nabers (Valdosta, Ga.) is also a fullback.

Our own David Visser compared how Florida State’s 2017 class stacks up with those of the Seminoles’ in-state rivals. (Unsurprising spoiler alert: it compares favorably.)

Football

Florida State held firm in the No. 2 spot of ESPN’s way-too-early 2017 rankings after National Signing Day.

2. Florida State

2016 record: 10-3, 5-3 ACC

First Way-Too-Early ranking: 2

Returning starters: 7 offense, 9 defense, 2 special teams

Key losses: RB Dalvin Cook, OT Roderick Johnson, WR Kermit Whitfield, WR Jesus Wilson, G Kareem Are, DE DeMarcus Walker, CB Marquez White

Outlook: The Seminoles open the season against Alabama in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game in Atlanta in what is shaping up to be one of the best opening-weekend games in college football history. FSU has landed the ACC's top-ranked class in each of Jimbo Fisher's eight seasons in charge and landed the biggest commitment Wednesday when No. 1 defensive tackle Marvin Wilson chose the Seminoles. Seven signees, including No. 1 running back Cam Akers, No. 1 defensive end Joshua Kaindoh and No. 1 juco outside linebacker Adonis Thomas, already have enrolled for spring semester. Akers and No. 4 running back Khalan Laborn will battle for carries as FSU tries to replace Cook, its all-time leading rusher.

Florida State signee Cam Akers finds himself on Aaron Torres’ list of the 10 true freshman poised to contribute to their new teams in 2017.

Cam Akers, RB, Florida State

A one-time Alabama commit, Akers broke the hearts of home-state Ole Miss fans when he ended up at Florida State. And the Rebels’ loss is the Seminoles' gain, as Akers should spent a large part of his freshman year filling the void left by Dalvin Cook.

In his storied prep career, Akers rushed for over 8,000 yards. And he did it from the quarterback position, where he also threw for over 5,000 yards and 78 touchdowns. He’ll play running back in Tallahassee, but he isn’t a bad guy to have in a pinch at quarterback, right?

Alumni

Near the conclusion on Wednesday’s Signing Day War Party, Jimbo Fisher shared a fascinating and very telling story of former Seminole Devonta Freeman, as recapped here by Safid Deen of the Orlando Sentinel.

Other Sports

Tomahawk Nation’s comprehensive basketball coverage brought observations from Florida State’s impressive road win over Miami as well as a look inside the box score from the victory.

The Florida State women’s basketball team continued its historic season on Thursday with a crushing victory over the Boston College Eagles.