Florida State football, recruiting news: FSU looking ahead to Bama

Football

Jimbo Fisher admitted to being especially tough on his team over spring in an effort to get the most out of them come fall.

Some spring game takeaways from the Tomahawk Nation group chat were compiled into an article for the viewing pleasure of all of you, paired with the spring recap edition of the Nolecast.

With the spring game in the rear view mirror, the next thing on FSU’s schedule is its neutral-site date with Bama in September as described by ESPN’s Jared Shanker.

Florida State fans fixated on the Crimson Tide months ago, and with spring camp in the books, the Seminoles players are joining them. The focus in Tallahassee over the weekend spun forward to Sept. 2 for one of the most anticipated season openers in recent history.

“It’s a great challenge,” Florida State quarterback Deondre Francois said. “Right off the bat, we’re going to see what type of team we have. We don’t want to waste time. We don’t want to wait until the fourth game to see what type of players we have.”

Jason Kirk of SB Nation wrote on that week one matchup between the Tide and the Seminoles and how it could be the biggest college football season opener of all time.

Matt Baker of the Tampa Bay Times shared his notebook from the Florida spring game last weekend.

1. Feleipe Franks is quarterback to beat

"I think he's ahead," coach Jim McElwain said. "There's no doubt about it." Playing with the Orange's first-team offense (which won 31-0), Franks finished 8-of-14 passing for 119 yards. The highlights were a 16-yard touchdown pass to Antonio Callaway and a gorgeous 46-yard throw to Josh Hammond that was as impressive as any play by a UF quarterback last year. "Obviously a confidence-booster," Franks said. He wasn't perfect; he missed throws high and committed a McElwain sin by holding onto the ball too long. But he outplayed fellow redshirt freshman Kyle Trask, who finished 4-of-13 for 31 yards but mostly played against the first-team defense. Trask missed on seven of his first nine passes, fumbled on a sack and threw an interception to linebacker Vosean Joseph. Trask finished 4-of-13 for 31 yards. The competition isn't over. Coaches say Del Rio will be in the mix in the fall, once he returns from offseason surgeries to both shoulders. Former Notre Dame quarterback Malik Zaire is reportedly considering UF as a grad transfer, if the SEC changes its rules to allow that to happen. But through spring ball, Franks remains the favorite to start the Sept. 2 season opener against Michigan. "It's going to be a dog fight until the very end," Trask said.

Recruiting

Florida State offered a scholarship to 2018 four-star running back Keaontay Ingram on Monday.

To say the least, the offer is an interesting one as the Seminoles already have two RB commits in their 2018 recruiting class and signed three running backs in their 2017 class. Only time will tell how this one plays out.

Alumni

Dalvin Cook is nearly outside the first round of Dan Kadar’s latest NFL mock draft for SB Nation.

29. Green Bay Packers: Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State

Most of the attention goes to defense and the offensive line, but Cook would be an excellent lead running back to pair with Ty Montgomery.

Speaking of Cook, he will be featured on NFL Network Tuesday night with Steve Mariucci.

On the hardcourt, Jonathan Isaac continues to be highly regarded in NBA mock drafts.

7. Sacramento Kings - Jonathan Isaac, SF, Florida State

If the Kings kept DeMarcus Cousins, there was a good chance their first-rounder would have went to the Chicago Bulls as a pick falling outside the top 10. Instead, Sacramento will have two top-10 picks it badly needs to nail to rejuvenate the franchise post-Boogie.

Isaac would be a great start. The 6’11 wing has quick feet and a developing three-point stroke. He projects as a super role player with the potential to grow into something even more.

Former FSU baseball player Buster Posey had a scary moment on Monday when he was hit in the head by a pitch, but he is doing well after he was taken out of the game.

Other Sports

The Florida State baseball team found itself unranked on Monday in many polls after another weekend series loss, ending a lengthy streak in the polls.

In case you have missed how ridiculously successful the FSU softball team has been so far this season, our own Prince Akeem Joffar put together a recap of the weekend sweep of Syracuse and their continued domination of everyone in its path.