Once the dust settled, Jimbo Fisher’s 2017 recruiting class finished ranked No. 6 in the country (According to 247 Sports Composite rankings) following National Signing Day. For the eighth straight year, FSU will finish with the No. 1 recruiting class in the ACC.
The national rank of No. 6 is the fifth highest rank under Jimbo Fisher. The only times the head coach has come out with a weaker rated class was in 2010 (No. 7) and 2013 (No. 11). Its the first time Fisher has failed to finish ranked nationally inside the top-5 since 2013.
Despite the low ranking under Jimbo Fisher standards, the ‘Noles hauled in four five-star commits, the second most in any class. When you pair that with last year’s depth focused class that included 17 four-stars, the most under Fisher, the recruiting staff has set the team up for the foreseeable future.
The eight four-stars signed in 2017 are the second fewest of any class with 2010 being the lowest (6). FSU had a lot of missed opportunities in alluring blue-chip recruits with the Seminoles missing out on three targets during National Signing Day.
The 12 blue-chips signed also mark the lowest number since 2013. FSU had more than 12 four-star recruits alone in two of the previous three classes. 50% of FSU’s 2017 signees were blue-chips, the lowest percentage under Fisher since that 2013 cycle.
Florida State focused a lot of attention on high potential three-star recruits. The 12 signed are five more than 2016 and is tied for the third highest of any class under Fisher.
Although Fisher was able to grab many lower rated talents, the five-stars that will be headed to Tallahassee are unlike anything seen in years prior.
FSU got three commitments from players inside the top-10 in RB Cam Akers (No. 2) DT Marvin Wilson (No. 6) and DE Joshua Kaindoh (No. 9). Fisher had never pulled three of the top-10 recruits in a single class before, only managing to sign two twice in 2012 and 2015.
Akers is the tied with Mario Edwards Jr. in 2012 for the highest ranked commit under Jimbo Fisher and is the highest rated running back to commit. Marvin Wilson is the second highest ranked defensive tackle commit since 2010. Joshua Kaindoh is tied with Josh Sweat for the highest defensive end commit under Fisher.
In the end, the numbers may not tell the best story for Florida State 2017 recruiting class. Yes, FSU finished outside the top-5 for the first time in years, however the top-tier talent is something that hasn’t been seen by Florida State in quite some time. The ‘Noles will head into next season with 11 five stars on the roster, including 7 of the 9 highest rated players Fisher has ever signed.
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