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Football:
- In SB Nation’s 2017 bowl projections, Florida State is headed to the Orange Bowl to face Penn State. That would make you think they have Clemson included in the College Football Playoff. Wrong. Clemson is slotted in the Peach Bowl vs. USF as an at-large with the CFP comprised of, in seeding order, Ohio State, Alabama, Oklahoma and USC.
- Is DT Derrick Nnadi the strongest player in College Football? Nnadi recently squatted an astounding 750 pounds. Yes, you read that right —- 750 pounds.
- According to The Spun, Florida State vs. Alabama’s get in price of $396 for tickets ranks second among any College Football game in 2017.
- In NFL.com’s 17 for ‘17 series on defensive players, Tarvarus McFadden and Derwin James were ranked the No. 6 and No. 1 DBs in the country respectively.
6. Tarvarus McFadden, CB, FSU
The Seminoles' top cornerback had a breakout season in 2016, making an FBS-high eight interceptions with the kind of size and length, at 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, that NFL scouts crave at the position. Three of those picks came against quarterbacks who were 2017 draft picks (Deshaun Watson, Brad Kaaya, Chad Kelly), and another came against Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson. McFadden missed spring practice due to shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum, but will be back this fall as one of the nation's elite cover men.
1. Derwin James, S, FSU
After a fabulous freshman season in 2015, James finished third in the ACC Rookie of the Year voting. He played multiple roles in the Seminoles' defense, playing effectively both in coverage and as an occasional blitzer. Last season, he made his first career interception against Ole Miss in FSU's season opener, but a Week 2 injury to his left knee put James out for the season. He returns this fall as a redshirt sophomore with understandably high expectations. NFL.com analyst Daniel Jeremiah compared him favorably to Seattle Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor.
Recruiting:
- Gator Coutry has details on FSU target Justin Field’s visit to UF. The ‘Noles are vying with a few other teams, including Auburn and Florida, for the No. 1 dual-threat QB int the country.
- Noles247 dives into Florida State’s slow recruiting and proves that it’s nothing to fret. Brendan Sonnone breaks it down by saying, “Getting pledges in the summer is usually less significant than receiving verbals late in the recruiting process.”
Other Sports:
- Florida State had two selections in the 2017 NBA Draft for the first time since 2010.
- Jonathan Isaac went sixth overall to the Orlando Magic.
- Dwayne Bacon was selected 40th overall to the New Orleans Pelicans. His rights were then traded to the New Orleans Pelicans.
- Juan Montalvo argues that Florida State baseball head coach Mike Martin should get one more year in the dugout.