:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66910833/1171863757.jpg.0.jpg)
Recruiting:
First and above all, here again is our Recruiting Thread — the recruiting game never stops, and neither does the discussion. Which is good, because recruiting is the lifeblood of all programs.
The hot topic right now? The commit of four-star cornerback Omarion Cooper. We’ve already got analysis and film breakdown of the lengthy blue-chip corner.
Four-star 2022 American Heritage cornerback prospect Earl Little Jr. has numerous high-quality offers, and he spoke to TomahawkNation about his FSU offer and his recruitment.
2023 tight end prospect Randy Pittman was also asked about his Florida State offer and his plans to visit campus.
2022 defensive back prospect Devin Moore can see himself playing in Doak Campbell:
Everytime I Get On The Phone With @Coach_MWoodson I Fantasize About Playing In That Garnet And Gold! #OneTribe
— Devin Moore (@realdevinmoore3) June 8, 2020
Football:
If you missed it, FSU announced the fall semester schedule, which will have an impact on college football.
2020 ACC divisional/championship odds were released — do you think Florida State’s odds are too high or too low?
It’s a big story that the only DT FSU signed last class, Emanuel Rogers, will instead head to JUCO. But Florida State isn’t the only program that’s losing signees:
Two #Gators numbers of note, with 4* DL Johnnie Brown going juco:
— Matt Baker (@MBakerTBTimes) June 8, 2020
By my count, Dan Mullen has now signed 10 players whose college careers were over at Florida before Week 1, including 8 in the last 2 classes....https://t.co/0DqO3ypefO
Marvin Wilson has been an outstanding example of leadership:
"You have a voice, and a voice that needs to be heard." @marvinwilson21 encourages student-athletes to speak out for social justice and take action. pic.twitter.com/d2Oae5gJ9V
— ACC Network (@accnetwork) June 8, 2020
Part 2 of our expected points model fundamentals — TomahawkNation is putting in the time and effort to develop cutting-edge analytics for college football. You don’t have to understand all the math to know that it can help us all better our understanding of the game, which, in my opinion, in turn improves our ability to enjoy the game. It may not seem like it, but I think what TN is doing here is a pretty big deal.
In that spirit, here’s a great thread from ESPN writer David Hale:
Been doing threads on each ACC position group last few weeks. Catch up on all of them...
— Hi, I’m David (@ADavidHaleJoint) June 8, 2020
QBs: https://t.co/ApfJMEEsaQ
OL: https://t.co/0UbfAqlzY5
RBs: https://t.co/YeVi3FR5DF
WRs: https://t.co/622XLJJ0lF
and…
— Hi, I’m David (@ADavidHaleJoint) June 8, 2020
DLs: https://t.co/FNSqpSNIaz
LBs: https://t.co/sMx7npifJ6
DBs: https://t.co/SvcvR9GkEO
STs: https://t.co/W0s4zH03zM
He also recently looked at luck, as in turnover luck (or the lack thereof):
Turnovers are the biggest example of the opportunity vs luck paradox. For example: FSU got an INT on just 13% of its pass break-ups. Wake got an INT on 40% of its pass break-ups. FSU was doubly unlucky: 34% of PBUs by the opposition resulted in an INT -- highest rate in ACC.
— Hi, I’m David (@ADavidHaleJoint) June 8, 2020
Luck is huge in close games, too & historically it's hard to consistently repeat massive success in 1-possession contests. Most teams should be around .500. But... in games decided by a TD:
— Hi, I’m David (@ADavidHaleJoint) June 8, 2020
UNC, 3-6
FSU, 2-4
Wake, 4-2
GT, 3-1
Lou, 3-0
Duke & BC both 0-2 in games decided by a FG. pic.twitter.com/HzWgBUsNcC
With all of that in mind, Hale ranked the ACC teams for the upcoming season:
I'll reserve making picks for the season until we're closer to actually playing games, but I think as we look at how my rankings avg out, it looks a lot as I'd expect.
— Hi, I’m David (@ADavidHaleJoint) June 8, 2020
Clemson ->
VT/Pitt/UNC ->
WF/Lou/Mia/FSU ->
BC/UVA/Cuse/Duke ->
NCSU/GT pic.twitter.com/Rj4in90754
So while FSU hasn’t been very good lately, they’ve also been rather unlucky. Can their luck turn around this season?
UVA, FSU and Miami all are in a similar middle ground, and I think that's largely due to so many question marks. I'd be willing to wager one of the 3 does much better than these predictions would suggest. Just not sure which one yet.
— Hi, I’m David (@ADavidHaleJoint) June 8, 2020
Quite possible. Just that the production didn’t match the pedigree last year, and I relied more on established performance. But… what about the Willie era did match the pedigree? Has to improve in 2020. https://t.co/OAVj2p4AHR
— Hi, I’m David (@ADavidHaleJoint) June 8, 2020
Transfer tight-end Jordan Wilson is getting better:
FSU TE Jordan Wilson @Jwils247 #SayLessDoMore #Noles #Elite3 pic.twitter.com/3vOEUlhfRR
— Riley Howard III (@RileyElite3) June 8, 2020
Other Sports:
TN’s Brett Nevitt brings you the best FSU baseball coverage around, and that continues with his 2020 MLB draft profile of southpaw pitcher Shane Drohan.
In other news:
Smith confirms with me that he will not be entertaining the draft this year and will be coming to campus. @smittyboy_3 is rated the 9th best SS in FL. Athletic MIF that makes consistent hard contact at the plate. https://t.co/e0fpq8mICq
— Brett (@brettpn) June 8, 2020
In scouting FSU’s opponents, Wake Forest’s basketball team landed a quality transfer:
High-flying athlete Jalen Johnson returns home to play for the in-state Wake Forest program. Began his career at Tennessee. https://t.co/pmxyI1P5TC
— Corey Evans (@coreyevans_10) June 8, 2020
Alumni:
Dalvin Cook is holding out:
Pro-Bowl RB Dalvin Cook no longer will participate in any team-related activities until and unless he receives a “reasonable” deal, a source said Monday.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 8, 2020
“He’s out,” a source told ESPN. “Without a reasonable extension, he will not be showing up for camp or beyond.”
It makes some sense — Cook has had a couple injury-plagued seasons, and another one in the last year of his rookie deal could significantly damage his earning potential. Running backs don’t have long shelf life in the NFL. The biggest thing working against him is the running back position has become extremely devalued versus what it once was.