Florida State’s July Jimbo Fisher Football Recruit Camp starts Wednesday and runs through Friday. The Seminoles have been a consistent top-three recruiting team under Fisher in his seven seasons in Tallahassee, and are in line for another excellent class.
As of Wednesday, Florida State has 13 commitments, seven of which are rated four-stars, however some of its lesser-rated prospects have not even been evaluated by several services, artificially depressing their ratings.
The final day runs 9:40-11:30. Tomahawk Nation’s Bud Elliott and Andrew Miller will be there. Notes will go in the comment section, while major updates will appear here.
Updates
4-star WR Marquez Ezzard to Florida State, as expected.
Florida State landed the best corner in the 2019 class, who has an FSU family connection.
FSU landed a defensive end commitment.
Justin Fields (5-star QB) has arrived for his visit. It is his third visit in as many months.
FSU offered a stud linebacker, finally.
A receiver is strongly considering Florida State.
A recap of the Thursday morning session.
Florida State has made a major impression on one of the most talented recruits in the country.
A four-star DB has FSU atop his list.
A four-star pass rusher is really high on the #Noles.
Preview
Let’s cover some of the most important prospects who will be in attendance.
The current commits: Florida State will have a lot of its current commitments on campus, including RB Charles Strong, RB Jashaun Corbin, WR D’Marcus Adams, WR Antoine Green, OT Christian Armstrong, OG Christian Meadows, DE Stacy Kirby, DT Robert Cooper, EDGE Patrick Joyner, and LB Amari Gainer. Plus, 2019 commitment DL Mike Morris will also be there. This is always important because along with current players, the commitments help to recruit others to Florida State. Gainer and Corbin have been especially vocal as recruiters.
Flip target: Florida State will be trying to flip Warren Thompson, a four-star receiver from Tampa who is committed to Oregon. Bud Elliott wrote about Thompson recently in the Florida State receiver recruit rundown.
Thompson is an Oregon commitment, which surprised many given his affinity for Florida State. The four-star is a 6’4, 185-pounder with room to add muscle. As with any time a Florida prospect commits to a school like Oregon, the question is whether the high of the visit will wear off, and the reality of distance will set in. FSU is still pursuing Thompson, and it would not be surprising to me if the Seminoles flipped him, perhaps even in July if he makes it up to camp.
Receivers aplenty
Florida State needs to sign four receivers in the 2018 class, and it already has two it likes. But some stars will be there. I’ve included some background on the biggest names.
Jaylen Waddle of Bellaire (Houston), Texas is already in town, arriving Tuesday.
Waddle is a 5’9.5, 175-pound slot with some ridiculous start/stop moves and ball skills. He is the former high school teammate of Marvin Wilson, the No. 1 defensive tackle in the class of 2017 who signed with Florida State. Waddle is expected to visit again in July, and the four-star should be able to spend time with his former teammate Wilson.
Texas A&M and Oregon, two spread teams, are also high up on his list. Leon O’Neal and Jordan Moore, two four-star Aggie commitments are also on his 7v7 team, and are recruiting him hard.
Sam Pinckney, Greenwood (S.C.)
I can’t figure out why Pinckney is rated as the No. 219 receiver nationally and the No. 1464 player overall. I have not seen him play in person, but you don’t see schools like FSU, Georgia, LSU, and Virginia Tech going out-of-state to chase players rated outside the top 1000 (not hundred, but thousand) nationally. His highlight film looks good, and he has production, with 133 catches, 1827 yards, and 18 touchdowns over the last two seasons. He’s also listed at 6’3, and 205 pounds, a believable measurement.
Confusion aside, the top competition here is likely South Carolina, with LSU and Virginia Tech also pursuing. FSU made sure to visit him in spring, he visited campus for junior day in February, and I expect him back for camp in July.
Marquez Ezzard, Stockbridge (Ga.)
Marquez Ezzard is a 6’1.5, 210-pound receiver with strong body control and hands. His top-end speed is not remarkable, but physically, few can body the four-star. His playing style might remind some of Anquan Boldin. Florida State is in strong position for Ezzard, and sources who cover Georgia told me in late June that UGA’s coaches believed FSU has the upper hand. Other offers include Alabama, Florida, Miami, Ohio State, Tennessee, and USC.
Linebacker to watch
Linebacker Channing Tindall, of South Carolina told me at Nike’s The Opening that he planned to visit Florida State this summer. He does not currently have an offer, but if he performs anywhere near how he did in Portland, I expect him to come away with one. He looks like an excellent prospect.
Offensive linemen
Four-star tackles William Barnes (Apopka), and Daniel Faalele (IMG) told me at The Opening that they would visit this summer, so it’s quite possible they show up this week. If they do, we won’t miss them. If Faalele comes, it’s likely he will bring an IMG teammate or two. Guard Trey Hill, of Georgia, could also show up.
Young guns
A number of 2019 and 2020 names will be on our radar, including:
- Quarterback Jack Miller (2020)
- Receivers Jalen Curry (Texas), Jashawn Sheffield (Georgia)
- Linebacker Owen Pappoe (Georgia)
- Defensive backs Jaylen McCollough, MJ Griffin, John Griffin
Who could commit?
It would not be a surprise for any of the big receiver names Ezzard, Thompson, Waddle, and Pinckney to pull the trigger.