The Freshman Files: Who’s standing out for Florida State?

Florida State Seminoles football football finished the 2020 recruiting season ranked 22nd.

While the class brought in several key players that will have an impact at FSU, most were not considered ones who could have an “instant” impact. But some players mature and improve quite a bit between the end of their senior football season and the beginning of the college fall camp. We’ll highlight which freshmen are making the most noise so far in camp and could potentially impact the 2020 season.

Josh Griffis

Griffis was a late recommit to the Florida State 2020 class, but so far, he has shown he was worth the recruiting battle. The 3-star defensive end has received praise from defensive coordinate Adam Fuller and has also already left his mark on a few offensive lineman. Fuller specifically called out Griffis’ as a player that can help this year:

“Joshua Griffis, he’s mature enough and strong enough. He’s going to help us.”

He’s not exactly a “freak” athlete at the position, but his strength and fundamentals will push him onto the field this year.

CoachAB: Expect Griffis to find his way on the field early in the season. His advanced snatch technique is not something you observe from high school players. This comes from advanced coaching at IMG Academy. It looks as though Griffis has been playing the Fox position early in camp.

DJ Lundy

Lundy was a player from Georgia that Florida State didn’t enter the recruiting picture until January of 2020. While he was an under-the-radar 3-star linebacker prospect, the 3-time state wrestling champion is already a presence in fall camp. Lundy has received praise from both Fuller on defense, and head coach Mike Norvell on offense. Norvell specifically mentioned Lundy as an option at fullback:

“We’ve got a couple guys. DJ Lundy, he was a running back for most of his high school career. Armani Kerr. A couple other potential options.”

CoachAB: I saw all I needed from Lundy in the scrimmage highlights. Lundy scraped on an outside zone play and took on Dontae Lucas with no fear. This type of aggression as a freshman lends itself to serious upside. Pair the aggression with physical tools and you have a steal at linebacker. Oh, and, he might be your goal-line fullback.

Stephen Dix Jr.

The other imposing figure in the above tweet is linebacker Stephen Dix Jr., a 3-star linebacker in the 2020 class. Dix committed to Florida State in February of 2019 and never wavered. As a result, he was a piece of the class that was at times, overlooked. Norvell was quick to mention Dix as freshman that will be an early contributor. Additionally, defensive coordinator Adam fuller listed Dix among other first year players that will play:

“TJ Davis, we’re glad we got him. DJ Lundy and Stephen Dix, I think they’ll both play for us.”The Mike linebacker has already been showing up in Florida State’s camp highlights, displaying explosive hips and the ability to square up ball carriers.

CoachAB: Can I say grown man again? Dix Jr was an early enrollee and capitalized on the time spent on campus and with Coach Storms. If you are Leonard Warner you are looking over your shoulder at the young studs pushing their way into the fold. Dix Jr is a do it all linebacker who packs at punch at contact. In a clip from Saturday’s scrimmage he takes on a guard and absolutely stones them in their tracks.

Kentron Poitier

Credit to the Florida State staff and their ability to scout. Poitier was yet another 3-star recruit that the new staff added soon after their hiring. The 6’3 wide receiver has already impressed his head coach in fall camp and has turned some heads with impressive body control on catches. Norvell has taken time on multiple occasions to single out the talented freshman:

“Kentron Poitier, he is having a phenomenal camp for a freshman. I think he’s going to put himself in great position.”

CoachAB: Mike Norvell loves big, long WRs on the edge and that’s what Poitier is. He’s shown the ability to high point the ball and have solid body control to make highlight reel catches. Poitier’s best ball is in his future.

Chubba Purdy

The 4-star talented quarterback from Arizona was a late flip from Louisville. With quarterbacks James Blackman and Jordan Travis ahead of him, Purdy had a long shot at earning the starting gig — but his ability to use his legs and make plays left some with the opinion that he could be a package player or make a run at the starting spot later in the year. Unfortunately (likely during Saturday’s scrimmage, which saw a touchdown run from the quarterback) Purdy broke his collarbone and will be sidelined for a few weeks. This doesn’t mean that Purdy still won’t play this year and have an impact on the season, but the window is smaller and give Norvell one less option.

CoachAB: This now looks like a redshirt year for Purdy ,but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Giving Purdy the year to get to know the playbook, work on his mechanics, and build is strength will benefit him down the road. Purdy has the tools to be the quarterback of the future and this could be a gift not a curse.