http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/players/Moses_McCray/60885 Recent articles about Moses McCray en-us This is eighth in a multi-part series covering the various position groups as Florida State begins Spring practice. So far we've looked at Quarterbacks, Running Backs, Wide Receivers, Offensive Line, Tight Ends/ H-Backs, and Defensive Ends. There is no way to sugarcoat how bad FSU's defense was last season. Straight by the raw numbers, FSU was 108th out of 120 teams nationally. Common sense, however, says that to go solely by aggregate yardage allowed is silly as it doesn't adjust for competition level. The advanced metrics account for opponent quality and they say FSU's defense was somewhere between 80th to 92nd out of 120. Of the 66 major conference teams, FSU was on the level (or worse than) only Louisville, Kansas, Indiana, Duke, Stanford, Kansas State, Iowa State, Illinois, and of course, Washington State. The last defenses to be this bad in ACC play were some of the mid-decade Duke teams. If you want more comparisons and perspective, check out Closing The Book On The 2009 FSU Defense. Defensive Tackle Coach Odell Haggins If asked to select which defensive position unit played the best last season, I would say either cornerback or defensive tackle. But being the best unit on a really bad defense really isn't anything to brag about. The defensive tackles played about average in my opinion. They are coached by Odell Haggins. A lot of people didn't expect Coach Jimbo Fisher to retain Haggins, but he did. I think that says something about the former 'Nole great. Someone I trust told me that Haggins is a very good cook, but between 2005-2008, he wasn't the best grocery shopper. I think that's a good analysis. His recruiting in 2005-2007 absolutely left something to be desired. And he has also suffered a good bit of bad luck at the position with guys like Letroy Guion leaving early to be a late-round draft choice, Callahan Bright failing to qualify and then getting arrested before he could make it out of junior college, Justin Mincey's academic safari, Paul Griffin's torn ACL (never recovered), Emmanuel Dunbar's broken back, Budd Thacker's high drama/ low production career, the signing day switcharoo by Marvin Austin, and Moses McCray's elbow problem. But things look to be getting significantly better. Under a new staff with clear direction and renewed energy, I'm told Odell is the fun, vivacious Odell Haggins again. And that is really good news for the 'Noles. The recruiting has really stepped up. FSU has qualified all 5 of its last 5 defensive tackle commitments. And those guys are not scrubs. Among them are a 5*, a 4*, and 3 3*'s (including a JUCO). In 2008 FSU signed and placed Anthony "Amp" McCloud of Thomas Co. Central HS (Thomasville, GA). Many believed he was a better player than current Clemson NG Brandon Thompson (4*). Of course, McCloud had no chance to qualify and was not reviewed by the recruiting services. But he went to JUCO and is now back. The chance that a defensive line JUCO sign-and-place recruit ever makes it to his original college of choice is very poor, and it is an encouraging sign that FSU identified the talented prospect, found a home for him, laid out a plan to get him back, and got the kid back. More on him later. FSU already has two elite defensive tackle commitments for the upcoming recruiting class, and while they might not have come from Haggins' geographically designated recruiting area, there is no doubt that the interaction between potential future position coach and recruit plays a big part in the decision. Some believe that Haggins is being given this year to prove that he can still get it done. Judging by the current recruits and the young talent at the position, he'll be back in 2011 when the 'Noles defensive interior could be one of the best in the nation. The Departed FSU loses three players at the defensive tackle position in Budd Thacker, Justin Mincey, and Kendrick Stewart. Each had their moments in their FSU careers and each probably had their worst year as seniors for a variety of reasons into which I don't need to delve too deeply. All three struggled with injuries and all three were ill-fitting pieces to a rather disorganized defensive puzzle. While not completely downplaying their losses, I will say that if they were theoretically allowed to come back this season, they would be second teamers at best. None were considered starters. This year, FSU doesn't have a single Senior starter on the defensive interior. If FSU can get through 2010 it should have a dominant defensive interior in 2011. Out For Spring/ Not Yet On Campus Because this is a Spring preview, I am not going too in-depth into guys who are either not yet on campus, such as 6'5" 290 lb DT recruit Cam Erving and 6'3" 300 lb DT recruit Damien Jacobs. I'm also not going to discuss players who are out for Spring due to injury, such as the 6'2" 302 lb Moses McCray. The Junior from Tampa Hillsborough started 9 games despite wearing a huge elbow brace after having what I think was Tommy John surgery. McCray is incredibly athletic and strong. He's a former wrestler from his high school days. And he is nasty. But to be able to show his skills he needs to be healthy and have functional use of his arm. McCray recently had some more work done on his elbow and will miss Spring while healing. I am not worried about McCray missing time. He is incredibly strong and adds weight easily. That's not to say that he doesn't need work on his technique, but I am worried that his elbow is becoming a chronic issue. FSU needs him in the Fall and no game that counts has ever been played in April. Aside from Ponder's continued rehab from his shoulder operation, McCray's elbow is Florida State's most important body part. Young Stud Jacobbi McDaniel From the moment he stepped on the field at Madison County HS (FL), people knew Jacobbi McDaniel was a stud. He crushed the scouting camps before his senior year in high school, dominated as a senior, destroyed the all-star games, earned his 5* rating as the top defensive tackle in the country and played about as well as one could ask of a true freshman defensive tackle. He would have played even better if not for sustaining a knee sprain thanks to a cheap shot from USF's scumbag offensive lineman Chaz Hermann. On a side note, Hermann is an extremely dirty player who tries to injure people to make up for his own lack of talent. The 6'0" 292 lb Sophomore will now be asked to take the next step. I went back and watched every snap McDaniel played last year. He was FSU's best defensive lineman. And that was in spite of some of the things the defense asked him to do, including a ridiciulously excessive amount of stunting and twisting. Running McDaniel to the outside and bringing Craig Yarborough to the inside isn't an effective way to stop anything other than the 'Noles' chance of winning. Defensive Tackle is probably the 2nd or 3rd toughest position to play as a freshman, behing quarterback and arguably offensive tackle. McDaniel needs to continue to get better at everything, but his low center of gravity and powerful base paired with his amazing quickness is something that few people on the planet possess. He arrived to FSU carrying a fairly large amount of bad weight and has been steadily trading the baby fat for muscle. I'm not aware of any lingering knee issues and provided there aren't any, McDaniel need only to stay healthy, continue to get stronger, gain more experience, improve his recognition, and work on being more consistent with his technique to have a chance at an All-Conference selection. That might sound like a lot but it really boils down to "stay healthy and progres at a reasonable rate." Inside, I'll profile the other three defensive tackles available for Spring ball. The New Guy Welcome Anthony "Amp" McCloud to the picture. As discussed above, McCloud was one of the best players in Georgia in 2008 but had no chance of getting into college, so he went the JUCO route. If he had the grades he would have been a high 4* type recruit. Thankfully, he graduated with his AA in 3 semesters and enrolled in FSU this Spring. He showed up at around 315 lbs but is now down to 6'2" 300 lbs. The fanbase's expectations for McCloud are way too high at this point. While the kid is undeniably a talent, he has not played a down of football since November 2008. McCloud sat out the 2009 season to focus solely on his academics so that he could graduate early and enroll at FSU this January. It was expected that he would show up out of shape considering that he wasn't playing ball and didn't have a college-level weight facility available to him. So what to do with a rusty, out of shape, very athlethic, raw, promising player? Work him hard and coach him up, of course. McCloud has already lost 20 lbs of bad weight since arriving on campus and is focusing on getting stronger as he becomes re-acclimated to working out in a college weight program. It should be noted that McCloud is a redshirt Sophomore and not a Junior, by virtue of his academics-only year in 2009. We've seen some of his film from high school and it was undoubtedly impresive. McCloud really needs to work on everything from adjusting to major college life, to film study, to workouts, to technique, and probably to strapping up his pads. He is rusty and raw at this point, but guys with his frame and athleticism do not grow on trees. 'Nole fans should be very pleased if McCloud can play 20 quality snaps per game this year at a solid 300-305 lbs. My guess is that he makes his transformative leap next off-season. As a final note, Amp had an unspecified blood pressure issue in 2008 that was monitored but did not cause him to miss any games. Mr. Inside & Mr. Outside ? As a Nick Saban disciple, Fisher places a huge emphasis on versatility. That means having guys who can play inside at the quick 3-technique tackle position and also outside at the Strong-side defensive end spot. That's where the next two guys come in. Redshirt Sophomore Everette Dawkins checks in at 6'2" 271 lbs and Redshirt Freshman Demonte McAllister stands in at 6'2" 260. Yes, I am aware that the FSU Spring Guide lists the players at slightly lighter weights, but I heard those figures are slightly stale (by a few weeks). Both were highly regarded 4* recruits and there has been a large amount of speculation about one or both players moving to defensive end. A move could happen. But it is not guaranteed. And if a move does happen, it would be one player and not both. And if it does happen it won't occur until after Spring because FSU is thin at the position until McCray heals up and the two freshmen get on campus in June. Additionally, some have discussed moving one outside and allowing either of the freshmen defensive ends (Cummings or Werner) to play inside. But it is important to remember that playing defensive tackle is much harder for a young player than playing defensive end, due to the need to fend off blockers coming from all directions. Werner/Cummings could much more easily produce at a Dawkins-like level at End than they could trying to replicate his work at Tackle. What I think will happen is that FSU will continue to develop both players as defensive tackles, possibly cross-training one of them at end, most likely Dawkins. Then after this year, when FSU projects to have seven- 300 lb'ers at DT in 2011, one of Dawkins or McDaniel might be moved outside. The conspiracy theorist in me wonders "Could it be that Fisher wanted to keep McAllister away from Allen and let him learn under Haggins, regardless of future plans?" Here's a photo of Dawkins and McAllister, taken 2 weeks ago. [Click to see] Dawkins played very well considering he was a RsFr last season. He has a nice first step, plays with good leverage most of the time, and you can tell he is well coached. With continued physical development, he won't be too outmatched as a 6'2" 280 lb 3-technique this season. McAllister is a very polarizing player and his case is especially interesting considering that he has yet to play a snap for Florida State. A lot of people are concerned that Demonte hasn't put on much weight, if any, since he arrived on campus. He did get injured (leg) and I have to believe that hurt his progress some. There are also rumors that he is trying to purposefully force a move to end by staying small because he doesn't want to become a big guy as he is very image conscious. I really hope that is just bored off-season message board talk. If that is true he will find out very soon that he doesn't get to decide what position he plays. Demonte is a phenonemal athlete and has the frame to be an excellent 3-technique tackle in time. He needs to continue to put in work in the off-season program and soak up as much coaching as possible. I don't expect him to make a major impact this season but I do expect him to make a contribution. Finally, I want to address the issue of substituions. There seems to be this idea that Haggins substitutes too often and that starters should play the overwhelming majority of the snaps. I disagree with that as substitutions along the defensive line are an integral part of the game. Alabama substitutes all the time along its defensive line and Florida routinely rotates its interior defensive linemen. We can debate whether the substitutions need to be in predetermined intervals or moreso by feel and observation, but there seems to be this idea out there that the starting defensive linemen need to be playing 60 of the 70 available plays. Even with a supremely conditioned group, that just does not, and will not happen. I do think FSU fans will see less subbing this season on along the defensive line, but that is because FSU had a bunch of guys last year who were average at best and it didn't really matter who was in-- fresh legs were the best weapon FSU had. This season it seems likely that there will be more clearly defined roles for the defensive linemen, and the top talent will likely separate itself from the new young guys and career backups. As that point, you have to ask if your "10" at 70% is better than your "7.5" at 100%? Fri, 12 Mar 2010 09:00:49 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/Florida_State_Spring_Football_Position_Preview_Defensive_Tackle/2234176 http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/Florida_State_Spring_Football_Position_Preview_Defensive_Tackle/2234176 Florida State Spring Football Position Preview: Defensive Tackle http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/Florida_State_Spring_Football_Position_Preview_Defensive_Tackle/2234176 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/logoMini.png You already knew about QB E.J. Manuel will miss Spring because of shoulder surgery.  And we already knew that OT Zebrie Sanders should be 100% in June after having hip surgery.  And we already knew that QB Christian Ponder will be on a very structured and somewhat limited Spring regimen after undergoing shoulder surgery over Thanksgiving.  OT Antwane Greenlee is still recovering from his devastating August knee injury but will participate some in Spring ball camp.  And we reported a month ago that OL Rhonne Sanderson had leg surgery (turns out it was ankle).  Apparently Sanderson will participate in Spring, though he may be somewhat limited.  Now comes word that DT Moses McCray is out for Spring due to elbow surgery.  The Elbow has bothered Moses for what we think is two years, after he dislocated it in 2008.  The important thing is that he gets the elbow right as quickly as possible so that he can lift in the off-season weight program and be a huge beast inside this year for the 'Noles.  OT is Garrett Faircloth is out after undergoing hip surgery.  Not much info on this one.  In the linked piece, Andrew Carter mentions that OG David Spurlock will fully participate after having a minor knee procedure and C A.J. Ganguzzais also cleared for full participation after having an elbow cleanout.  Another note: No need to panic about any of these guys missing time. Most of the above procedures were routine and minimal. After end of any season, it's not uncommon for several players to undergo some routine maintenance. Especially those who play either on the offensive or defensive line. Off-season surgery is extremely common and isn't really anything to worry about.  I profiled this in: Florida State Weekend In Review: 'Nole Fans Conditioned to Overreact to Everything.  These guys are not rookies and, for the most part, don't really need Spring ball.  They do need to be healthy over the summer to get bigger, stronger, and faster, and absolutely need to be healthy for the start of the season.   Thu, 18 Feb 2010 07:30:16 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Florida_State_Players_Recovering_From_Off_Season_Surgeries_Will_Miss_Spring_amp_Aim_to_be_100_for_Summer_Workouts/2106326 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Florida_State_Players_Recovering_From_Off_Season_Surgeries_Will_Miss_Spring_amp_Aim_to_be_100_for_Summer_Workouts/2106326 Florida State Players Recovering From Off-Season Surgeries. Will Miss Spring & Aim to be 100% for Summer Workouts http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Florida_State_Players_Recovering_From_Off_Season_Surgeries_Will_Miss_Spring_amp_Aim_to_be_100_for_Summer_Workouts/2106326 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/logoMini.png NOTE:  The FSU Defense v. USF Offense part is finished.  Read this, then hit refresh, I *should* have the offensive portion finished by the time you finish reading. For the first time ever, the South Florida Bulls will take on the Florida State Seminoles.  Gametime is Noon.  The game is on ESPNU, and will also be available on ESPN360.com.  I'm scared of this game.  Not because I think USF is good, but because I think the Seminoles are in a bad spot.  Riding high off their 54-28 win over #7 ranked BYU, FSU is banged up.  Really banged up.  They are without DT Moses McCray and DT Justin Mincey.  Their only healthy defensive tackles are undersized senior Kendrick Stewart, promising freshman Jacobbi McDaniel- who has a bum MCL, and the high on energy but low on effectiveness Budd Thacker.  Additionally, both rovers, senior Corey Mangum and freshman Nick Moody are banged up.  Additionally, FSU's lame duck defensive ends coach, Jody Allen, continues to hold a grudge and insists on starting the worst starter in my lifetime (both '85)- walk on defensive end Craig Yarborough.  There are also some situational factors in this game.  USF has played the worst schedule in the country, and it is not close.  The Bulls faced two 1-AA teams and Western Kentucky, a team that either is or should still be a probational 1A team (easily the worst team in 1A).  So making a read on their current in-season performance is a bit tough.  I did watch their games, or what I could find of them, so I'll do my best.  I was asked to describe my thoughts on this game, and in a sentence, I said that I thought FSU was a much better team than USF, but that I didn't like the matchup.  I just have a bad feeling about this game.   But is it more than a feeling?  Let's start with USF's offense against Florida State's defense.  Over the summer, I wrote this comprehensive preview of USF's offense. The Bulls went 8-5 in 2008.  They were perfect in the non-conference, with wins over two terrible defensive teams in Kansas and NC State, and an overtime victory against UCF.  In the worst BCS conference, however, they were just 2-5, and their two wins came over UConn and Syracuse.  To say that USF feasted on bad teams would be an understatement.  Yet voters, who often see nothing but a team's record and not the competition they face, had the Bulls as high as #10 at one point.  They would lose 4 of 5 down the stretch to finish unranked.  This season, as I noted above, they are unranked and have played a terrible schedule. The Bulls were just 4-5 against BCS conference teams and 2-4 against teams ranked inside the Fremeau Efficiency Index Top 40.  Put another way: Wins S/ F+ Losses S/ F + UT Martin NR Pittsburgh 17 @ UCF NR @ Louisville 74 KAN 33 @ Cincinatti 19 FIU NR Rutgers 24 NCST (w.o their QB) 47 @ WVU 49 Syracuse 90 UConn 26 Memphis NR S/ F is a combination of S&P + and FEI, the two widely recognized advanced metrics for evaluating college football teams.  The quality of their opponents in wins was far less than that of their opponents in losses. This year, the Bulls schedule around the 'Noles game looks like this:   2009 schedule:Sept. 5 WoffordSept. 12 @ Western KentuckySept. 19 Charleston SouthernSept. 26 @ Florida StateOct. 3 @ Syracuse The Bulls have a very easy schedule before facing Florida State.  They essentially play three 1-AA teams (W. Kentucky is a provisional 1A school, the worst team in 1A).  This can help and hurt a team.  Having a month of pre-season assures that the Bulls will be able to work out some kinks, and that they will be healthy (starters playing fewer minutes in blowouts means less opportunity for injury).  It can also hurt, however, because FSU will be the Bulls' first test of the season.  'Nole fans saw this phenomena last year when they lost to Wake Forest after opening the season with two 1AA cupcakes.   Based on their talent an performance, the Bulls were probably a top 25 team last season, though they were too high early and probably too low late.  They did have three close losses in Big East play, and close wins or losses are a great indicator of a team being lucky or unlucky. Last season, the Bulls Offense looked something like this: Fremeau Efficiency Index: 48th Varsity Numbers (aka BeyondTheBoxScore at RockMNation.com, the brainchild of Bill Connelly) S&P+ (measure of ball movement and explosiveness):  21st (34th rushing, 16th passing) Forget the fact that South Florida led the Big East in total offense and finished second in scoring. It did most of its damage against lesser opponents, while failing to score more than 20 points in the final five regular season games. In conference play, the Bulls had the 6th best offense (of 8 Big East teams), with the 4th best ground game and the 5th best passing attack.  Only UConn and Syracuse were worse (though they were a lot worse). USF had an unsustainably high success rate on passing downs (2nd and 8+, 3rd/4th and 5+)  http://footballoutsiders.com/varsity-numbers/2009/varsity-numbers-2008-offensive-buffet  As the article discusses, USF was really goot at converting 3rd and long, compared to their other talents.  That's just not realisticly sustainable.  What team is consistently better on 3rd and long than 3rd and 4? USF averaged less than 350 yards and less than 5.4 yards per play in conference games.  (For reference, 400 yard games equal out to about 6.2 yards per play over 65 plays in an average game).   The Bulls run a spread scheme under new Coordinator Mike Canales, featuring a heavy dose of the zone read game.  It's 4-wide, pretty much all the time.  They will go into trips as well, which gives FSU fits.  They force the opposing defense to account for the QB's legs.  Canales was the Bulls' passing game coordinator last year and stepped into the OC role after Greg Gregory took another job.     Quarterback Here's what I wrote about Grothe: Matt Grothe has led the Bulls in rushing in each of the past three seasons.  He's also a big risk taker who often struggles to read defenses, possibly because of his 5'11" stature.  He's tossed up 42 picks over three years, while throwing 47 TD's.  He's been consistent in his erratic nature, throwing 14 INT's each year.  More troubling, however, for Bulls fans was the way he ended the Big East season:  Against Louisville, Cincinnati, Rutgers, UConn, and WVU, Grothe threw 11 Interceptions and just three touchdowns, while being sacked 13 times.   There's more:   Matt Grothe Games QB Rating Yards/ Attempt TD INT All Games 13 136 7.7 18 14 v. Conference 7 119 7.1 7 12 v. Non-Conference 6 156 8.4 11 2 v. Winning 6 109 6.5 4 10 v. Non-Winning 7 162 8.8 14 4 4 TD 10 INT against Bowl teams?  That's not impressive, and really, none of Grothe's passing numbers stand out.  He is a dangerous runner, of course.    And FSU has been ripped by teams utilizing the mobile quarterback over the past two seasons, particularly out of the shotgun, as USF does.  In fact, Grothe had 117 rushes for 828 yards, which is 7.1 yards per carry.  Simply put, Grothe is a playmaker with his legs.  He runs the zone read play quite well and making him one-dimensional is a primary goal for any team facing USF.   If he stays healthy, Grothe will surpass Pat White for the conference record in Total Offense, but I have to wonder how much of that record is due solely to playing time?  Almost any 4-year starter with mobility would have a shot at the record.   So obviously I didn't think Grothe was that good.  He tore his ACL and his career is over. His backup is Redshirt Freshman B.J. Daniels, a highly recruited kid out of Tallahassee Florida.  FSU wanted him as an athlete, because they already had E.J. Manuel as their only QB in the recruiting class.  This kid has a great arm.  It is a total cannon.  But he's not entirely accurate and lacks touch.  Kinda one of those kids who rifles everything.  He is a physical beast.  USF calls him 6'1 or 6'2" in various media guides, but he's somewhere between 5'11" and 6'2".  About 215lbs.  Fast as heck.  USF's offense isn't particularly complicated, and I expect that it is about to get simpler, but it is the exact design of offense that makes Mickey Andrews look washed up and incompetent.  Daniels scares the heck out of me because he is a much better physical talent than Grothe, who I didn't think was all that good.  He reminds me of a combination of NC State's Russel Wilson, and Oregon's Jeremiah Masoli.  USF runs the zone read play as their base run play.  Here's the video:   Here's a diagram:   That's the one where the QB in the shotgun reads the backside defensive end.  The line blocks away from him.  If the end stays at home to keep the QB in check, the QB will hand the ball off because they have the numerical advantage.  If the end "crashes down", the QB will keep the ball.  As linked above, FSU does not do well against this at all.  This stuff is the number one weakness of FSU's defense.  By far.  And this defense is banged up, undisciplined, and unsurprisingly not well coached by a disinterested and fractured defensive coaching staff.  I would choose to run this against FSU even if I didn't have the personnel to do so.  That is exactly what Boston College did to beat FSU last season with their terrible offense.   So how do you stop this?  FSU's defensive coaches have no idea.  Good defensive line play helps.  Someone must  win their one-on-one matchup.  Chris Brown of SmartFootball.com has some ideas here.  Now, I know we rip on Craig Yarborough quite often.  The kid tries hard, but he is a bad player.  That said, his discipline could be somewhat of an asset in this game for the Noles.  In order to beat the zone read, a team must have a plan, and everyone must follow the plan.  I'm not talking about "everyone go out and make plays" stuff, that's not a plan.  Yarborough can help by simply following his assignment here, even if he doesn't physically do it all that well.  This is particularly important when he is the read defender on the backside.  In Chris Brown's piece linked above, in the 2nd photo, think of Yarborough as the "E" (end) crashing down, and Nigel Bradham as the scraping linebacker.  There's an opportunity here for Bradham to have a huge game here. The zone read is difficult to stop.  FSU must have a good gameplan and must change up their looks.  I do not have much confidence in FSU to do that.  However, I do think FSU has some advantages here.  FSU's linebackers are very fast and better than most in coverage.  That will allow FSU to stay in a base defense or a nickel defense against USF's 4 wide receiver look.  Many teams are forced to use 6 defensive backs against USF's look, but because of FSU's linebackers, the Noles can use only 5 defensive backs.  Obviously when trying to stop the run, linebackers are better than defensive backs.  Running Backs This summer, I wrote: Mike Ford is a special talent and a likely NFL back.  He was a Five-Star recruit coming out of high school but had terrible grades and had to go to through the preparatory school route.  Last season, Ford battled numerous injury issues and had a disappointing year.  In 2007, however, he was excellent. 2008 2007 Opponent Att Yards Avg. Opponent Att Yards Avg. Tenn.-Martin 15 61 4.1 Elon 6 83 13.8 @ UCF Did Not Play @ 15 Auburn 21 74 3.5 Kansas 1 3 3.0 North Carolina 6 13 2.2 @ Florida Int'l 14 24 1.7 6 West Virginia 5 42 8.4 @ North Carolina St. 11 64 5.8 @ Fla. Atlantic Did Not Play Pittsburgh 14 73 5.2 UCF 8 39 4.9 Syracuse 11 51 4.6 @ Rutgers 4 9 2.3 @ Louisville 5 13 2.6 @ Connecticut 7 27 3.9 @ 17 Cincinnati Did Not Play 17 Cincinnati 7 13 1.9 Rutgers 1 2 2.0 @ Syracuse 28 134 4.8 Connecticut 8 20 2.5 Louisville 24 140 5.8 @ 23 West Virginia 14 62 4.4 @ Pittsburgh 16 63 3.9 + Memphis 8 34 4.3 + 23 Oregon 6 8 1.3 Totals 102 407 4.0 Totals 138 645 4.7 This year, he's apparently lost 20lbs, making him 6'2" 210 rather than the 230 he played at last season.  He is apparently quicker and now healthy.  You can bet that USF will not risk injuring him against their cupcake schedule before they play FSU. Canales has been vocal about trying to throw the ball to the backs more often, but Ford has not shown great hands.  He may catch a few more now that he is at a better weight, but he's really not that type of back. Mo Plancher represents another option to carry the ball.  At 5'9" and 200lbs, he has surprising quicks, gaining 330 yards on 69 carries last year. Jamar Taylor is an ex fullback type who tried to carry the load for USF into the bowl season, rushing for 300 yards on 62 carries.  He has the savvy and knows the offense well, so he is often asked to handle blitz pickup duties on 3rd downs. Richard Kelly is a very versatile back for the Bulls.  At 6' 0" and 250lbs, he is a receiving threat out of the backfield and also an excellent blocker.  Think of him as USF's H-Back.   USF is very deep at the running back position  A few updates here.  Ford was suspended for the first two games.  He is now back.  Plancher has been their best runner.  The stuff about throwing to their backs is dubious at best, unless they've been saving it for this game, which is possible, because their backs have accounted for two receptions in three games.  Also, Jamar Taylor is out for this game.  I expect to see a lot of Ford/Plancher. Wide Receiver This summer, I wrote: Who Left:  Name Yr Pos Rec. Yards Avg. TD Rec./G Yards/G Note Taurus Johnson SR WR 38 498 13.1 6 2.9 38 Led team in TD's, 2nd in Yards & Cathes Marcus Edwards SR WR 19 259 13.6 0 1.5 20 31 Career Starts Cedric Hill SR TE 16 194 12.1 2 1.2 15 2nd Team Big East   Who Returns: Name Yr Pos Rec. Yards Avg. TD Rec./G Yards/G Jessie Hester SR WR 54 579 10.7 3 4.2 45 Carlton Mitchell JR WR 28 405 14.5 1 2.2 31 A.J. Love JR WR 30 354 11.8 2 2.3 27 Dontavia Bogan JR WR 26 354 13.6 1 2 27 Ben Busbee SR TE 7 99 14.1 2 0.5 8 Patrick Richardson SO WR 7 68 9.7 0 0.8 8 Trent Pupello JR TE 2 26 13.0 0 0.2 3 The bulls really spread the ball around to a number of receivers and they are really, really deep at this position. Jessie Hester,  is the son of former Florida State great Jessie Hester (1981-84) and is the Bulls best wideout.  He was named Offensive MVP for 2008 after leading the the team with 54 receptions.  He's been named to a few pre-season All-Big East teams.  At 6' 0" 180lbs, he's not a burner but has enough speed to get open and runs very nice routes. Carlton Mitchell is a 6'4" 215lb Junior who missed a good chunk of 2008 due to injury.  When healthy he can be a redzone threat and is very strong and he had a great freshman season.  Though he is a Junior, Mitchell is very raw.  He's one of the best athletes on the team.  FSU fans might compare him to Jarmon Fortson.  Dontavia Bogan at 6'1" 185lbs is an explosive threat who had a good spring.  One of several bigtime breakout candidates.  Excellent athlete. A.J. Love was the Bulls' deep threat before injuring his knee in the Bowl game.  He is expected back for Fall and is making progress with his rehab.  It's anyone's guess as to whether he regains his pre-injury form. 6' 2", 180lb junior Ed Alcin had a very nice spring and could really surprise this year.  Some USF fans believe he is the 2nd best wideout on the team, which is saying something considering his lack of playing time in his first two seasons.  Theo Wilson could also catch a few balls for the 'bulls. The Bulls must replace Hill at tight end and will look to Andrew Ketchel who came on strong towards the end of the season and he started the bowl game. At 6'5" 240, he's the best pass-catcher of the tight ends.  Senior workout freak Ben Busbee is primarily a blocking tight end, but he can catch a few balls as well.  Updates:  Hester has a bum ankle and will either miss this game or be very limited.  Mitchell and Bogan are now their best wideouts.  They look to Mitchell a lot and I believe he is the fastest player on the field come Saturday.  Love and Wilson get a few balls as well.  This group is the polar opposite of BYU.  They are very fast and very big.  But they are undisciplined and don't run good routes.  Hester was the only one who had good receiver and not just athlete skills.  Because they are pretty raw, USF tries to throw little short routes to get the ball in the hands of their playmakers in space.  They throw deep jump balls (again, big tall fast athletes).  They throw crossing routes.  Their approach is to try and limit the number of routes they run which require precision. As much as I fawned over Wilson above, there are some obvious difficulties for him.  Besides having no game experience, Wilson almost assuredly doesn't have a good relationship with his wideouts.  He didn't get as many snaps as Grothe in practice because he was the 2nd team guy.  His timing with them can't be great.  FSU must force USF to complete precise routes, particularly in the intermediate level.  Those require touch, timing, and familiarity between QB & WR.  How will FSU do this?  They need to play some zone defense.  I would suggest cover-3.  I like the cover-3 look because it takes away the deep ball, you can account for at least one flat, and still have 6 defenders in the box against the run.  Hopefully by running a lot of cover-3, FSU will force USF to run passable routes and make their correct sight adjustments.  USF will need to sit down in the voids in the zone and from watching them, they really don't do that well.  I am not sure defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews will do this, however, because he is very stubborn and has been badly outschemed for the better part of this decade.  Next year, FSU will have a decent defensive staff.  For now though, we wait and hope. Offensive Line This is clearly the weak link for the 2009 Bulls.  USF must replace four Senior starters in Left tackle Ryan Schmidt, center Jake Griffin, right guard Matt Huners and right tackle Marc Dile .  Dile and Huners were 2nd team ALL-Big-East players, and the departed quartet accounted for 118 starts (Dile had 36).  The Bulls have a major issue here and will have a very tough time replacing those four.   That's not to say that the departed players were great- they weren't.  The 'Bulls allowed 7.1% sacks (7.1% of passing plays ended in sacks), which is horrible.  They were a lot better than the current crop and at least had some chemistry, however, something this new group will not have in 2009. Worse yet, the Bulls were counting on help from the JUCO ranks and at least one big player simply won't be in Tampa this year.  They expected JUCO transfer (and former 'Nole) Daron Rose to come in and start at one of the tackle spots.  Rose didn't qualify, however, and will not be playing for the Bulls.  Additionally, JUCO Tackle Carlos Savala is also ineligible.  The Bulls really needed one of them to come in and take over a tackle position. This off-season has been a disaster for the offensive line, and Head Coach Leavit said that none of the players were good enough to play on his OLine.   One position is definitely set.  Junior right guard  Zach Hermann is 6'3" 304lbs and made 13 starts as a freshman and 6 last year before injury struck.  Herman is a pure run blocker and is the typical tough guard.     At the other guard spot might be 6' 4", 292-pound sophomore Chaz Hine.  He didn't play much last year, but is a blue collar guy who could earn the job despite not being very talented.    The center position will hinge on a number of factors.  At 6' 5" and 285lbs junior center Jacob Sims has the ability to play a lot of positions.  The bulls are also considering him at tackle, but make no mistake, they want him at center.  He'll play tackle if the potential tackles struggle.  He had off-season finger surgery, but is expected to start somewhere on the line this year, either at Right Tackle, Left Guard, or Center. At center, there's an experiment going on with former defensive tackle Sampson Genus who is one of the strongest players on the roster.  He has looked good according to some reports.  If Genus doesn't work out at center (and he's the better athlete but needs a lot of work), the Bulls will turn to 6' 2" 304lb Soph Kevin McCaskill.  He's almost running even with Genus and was part of the big class the Bulls brought in after 2007. The other tackle spot a complete mystery.  One possibility is RsFr Jatavious Jackson, a decent recruit at 6' 4" 270lbs.  He's very green and undersized at this point.  RsFr OT Mark Popek is 6'7" 305 and got a lot of work in spring with Sims out due to injury (remember that the coaches want Sims at center but will move him back to tackle if need be).  He's talented but young and inconsistent.  He could challenge Sims for one of the tackle spots and USF hopes he wins so that Sims can play center.    Pushing Jackson at left tackle is 6' 4" 314lb Soph Jeremiah Warren, who is already struggling in the classroom but does have a good bit of talent.   And don't count out Jamar Bass who is apparently looking reall good for the Bulls (at Left tackle). The bottom line here is that the Bulls offensive line is very unsettled and even when it does settle, it will not be very talented.  None of the bulls linemen are getting any press for an All-Conference selection.  This group is definitely set up to run block, which is good considering that the Bulls run more than 60% of the time, but they will likely struggle in pass protection.Right now, their projected depth chart is this Current projected lineup LT Jeremiah WarrenLG Chaz HineC Sampson GenusRG Zach HermannRT: Jake Sims Warren is a sophomore who had 3 career starts (all this year).  He is starting because Bass is inconsistent.  Hine is also a sophomore with only these 3 games as experience.  Genus is the strongest player on the roster and could present some trouble.  He's a beast: Genus is huge at "314" lbs (he is at least 320).  But skinny ankles, no?  He's also inexperienced.   Right Guard Hermann is a decent player but a cheap shot artist.  Sims is nothing special. Because USF's offensive line isn't very good (being honest here, they didn't impress me, though FSU's beat up defensive line could make them look solid), USF does some things to limit their exposure.  one of those is the quick game.  A few notes here.  First, they ran this from two-tight singleback, which they don't often run.  They've run this play 7 or 8 times from what I've seen.  Opportunity here for the Noles to get a pick-6, but they must balance that with the obvious counter to this, which would be a double move.   These guys don't work well as a team in the run game.  There will be gaps where FSU can get penetration and stop the run for loss.  That's important because FSU wants to make USF one-dimensional. They've given up 3 sacks in 77 pass plays (3.9%), against by far the worst competition in the country.  FSU, in comparison, against good competition, has given up 4 sacks in 108 pass plays (3.6%).  This USF line is average at best.  To attack the passing game FSU needs to play coverage, and not rush Daniels aggressively.  The ends must not lose contain or attempt dumb spin moves.  Just a light, straight rush, like Bama did to Tyrod Taylor.  Once they lull Daniels into a sense of false confidence in the pocket, they must attack him via the DELAYED blitz.  Delayed is the key.  USF's offensive linemen will look to help each other out with the initial rushers, and there should be gaps open for Dekoda Watson to run though, as he did last season against Miami.  With contain established, and a free rusher coming in untouched, USF could have some trouble, particularly if their back doesn't pick up the blitz well.  What FSU can't do is telegraph the blitz, like they usually do with little success.  Make this kid sit in the pocket and read a defense, finding his wideouts in traffic.  He can't have that good of a relationship with them yet.   Bottom Line Last summer, I wrote: USF's offense will probably struggle this year, particularly against good teams as they did last season.  There is a lot of optimism at the quarterback and skill positions, but I wonder if prognosticators are making the common media error of overlooking line play.  If the Bulls are to have a top 50 offense, they must be able to establish the run.  Despite the new coordinator's background being more pass-happy than USF has seen in recent years, he must stick to the run and play low-risk football, catering to the defense which should be this team's strength.  The Bulls have talked about making more big plays this year, but big plays typically happen because a team is vastly superior to their opponent, or because the defense is cheating to stop something (like the run) and are burned by something else (play action pass).  If USF can't consistently put itself in better situations this year, like 3rd and 4 instead of 3rd and 8, Grothe will be the same old Grothe- taking too many risks and forcing too many passes.  If the offensive line gets it together, the Bulls could have a pretty decent offense as the skill position players are there, but that is a huge if. This is still a team that couldn't get to 350 yards per game in the lousy Big East.  Expect a regression from South Florida's offense and a more conservative gameplan as the season rolls along.   Now add in "they have a very talented but completely inexperienced quarterback."  Despite the fact that USF has been prepping for this game forever, their offense will stay pretty simple.  Still, FSU has a way of making rookie quarterbacks look like heisman trophy favorites.  Additionally, I worry because USF has some guys from that Norm Chow NC State team that gave Mickey and FSU fits.  Yes, that was the game in which FSU made Daniel Evans look great, to say nothing of Phillip RIvers.   I predict USF to score 27 points.   Fri, 25 Sep 2009 12:30:37 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/South_Florida_Bulls_Florida_State_Seminoles_Preview_can_the_Noles_avoid_the_Bulls_horns/1243415 http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/South_Florida_Bulls_Florida_State_Seminoles_Preview_can_the_Noles_avoid_the_Bulls_horns/1243415 South Florida Bulls @ Florida State Seminoles Preview: can the Noles avoid the Bulls' horns? http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/South_Florida_Bulls_Florida_State_Seminoles_Preview_can_the_Noles_avoid_the_Bulls_horns/1243415 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/logoMini.png No matter what the score is...FSU is in a no-win situation versus USF.  If FSU has a close win...then they barely beat an unranked team using their back-up quarterback.  If FSU blows them out...then they beat a team when they were down without their starting quarterback.  If FSU loses...then they lost to another unranked team at home in 2009 (Even though Miami is now #9, so that unranked team is nullified). New starting USF QB B.J. Daniels is going to come into Tallahassee with a chip on his shoulder.  He is from Tallahassee.  He wants to show himself off to his home crowd.  And USF wants to show they belong in the same conversation as the big three in Florida.  They have that chance this season with facing FSU this weekend and Miami in November. USF knows this is the game they have been waiting for.  They need this win for recruiting.  The FSU rout over BYU only has magnified this game for USF. USF's offense has a better time than ever to strike at the FSU defense.  The defensive line has been hit hard with injuries since Moses McCray suffered an elbow injury at BYU. he is expected to play Saturday if need be.  Justin Mincey will not play on Saturday.  But as BYU found out, FSU's offense can take their time going down the field and getting a touchdown.  The USF defense is going to need to get the FSU offense off the field and use dual-threat Daniels to keep the FSU defense on the field and off balance. FSU doesn't need this for recruiting.  Or ACC implications.  But for reputation.  FSU has to show that they are consistent, which is something they have not done this season.  The Seminoles need to show they can come off a big win and follow it up with a concrete win against another team before heading into the heart of their ACC schedule.  FSU has a history the last few years of not turning big wins into momentum.  2007 FSU def. #2 Boston College 27-17 at Boston College Virginia Tech def. FSU 40-21 at Virginia Tech 2008 FSU def. Clemson 41-27 Boston College def. FSU 27-17 after FSU regains lead in Atlantic Division with Wake Forest loss earlier in the day. FSU def. #25 Maryland at Maryland 37-3. #4 UF def. FSU 45-15.   Florida State needs to show the are on the way back.  The Jacksonville State game is already becoming a distant memory and the only "win" FSU can gain from this USF game is showing they can win on a consistent basis no matter if the team is #7 in the nation or unranked. Thu, 24 Sep 2009 09:20:35 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/USF_Is_a_No_Win_For_FSU/1236026 http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/USF_Is_a_No_Win_For_FSU/1236026 USF Is a No-Win For FSU http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/USF_Is_a_No_Win_For_FSU/1236026 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/logoMini.png Two specific games in the 2008 season seem to be more painful to watch for the Florida State defensive line than the rest—the November 1 game at Georgia Tech and the November 15 game against Boston College. Those two games featured the offensive lines of GT and BC walking over the front four of the Seminoles. Georgia Tech ran for 288 yards led by a two-touchdown, 145-yard game by Jonathon Dwyer.  Boston College ran for only 175 yards but it was stopping the running game when it mattered most where the 'Noles defensive line failed.  BC led 24-17 early in the fourth quarter. They then ate up nine minutes off the clock by running the ball for 67 yards en route to a field goal that extended their lead to 27-17—which ended up being the final score.  BC ran 16 plays, all rushing, to keep the Seminole defense on the field and the game in BC's control. What stung more is earlier in the day, Wake Forest lost to N.C. State. A win over BC would have propelled FSU into the driver's seat for the Atlantic Division title.  The defensive line goes into 2009 after losing star defensive end Everette Brown to the NFL. Markus White and either Toshmon Stevens or Kevin McNeil look to start on the ends to attempt to pick up the production left off by Brown.  McNeil came into the preseason as the other starter but missed some practices while he had to sort out academic issues. So he now is battling Stevens for the other starting defensive end spot. In the middle, the defensive tackle spot took a hit in preseason practices when Justin Mincey suffered a knee injury. Mincey will be unavailable until further notice.  Much optimism is surrounding heralded freshmen Jaccobi McDaniels and Demonte McCallister.  Sophomore defensive tackle Moses McCray commented on them to the Tallahassee Democrat. "They're big, strong and fast," McCray said. "They can play." Kendrick Stewart, Moses McCray and Budd Thacker are expected to get the majority of the playing time at defensive tackle until Mincey comes back from his knee injury. McDaniel could get in some playing experience while the coaches see how he handles the transition against college offensive lines.   The d-line will be able to see how far they've progressed from 2008 in the first game against Miami.  The defense held Miami to only 51 yards rushing last year, and the Labor Day match ups against Miami have traditionally been a defensive battle. But anything could go.  Miami is coming into Tallahassee with a new offensive coordinator who could look to exploit the FSU defensive line.   Thu, 20 Aug 2009 10:32:39 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/How_The_FSU_Season_Could_Depend_on_The_Defensive_Line/1017218 http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/How_The_FSU_Season_Could_Depend_on_The_Defensive_Line/1017218 How The FSU Season Could Depend on The Defensive Line http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/How_The_FSU_Season_Could_Depend_on_The_Defensive_Line/1017218 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/logoMini.png More photos » by Phil Coale - AP 10 days ago: Florida State University head football coach Bobby Bowden watches his players as they go through drills on the first day of practice, Friday, Aug. 7, 2009, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Phil Coale) Browse more photos » Florida State is the favorite to win the Atlantic Division, but do people realize how young they are? Only 30% of the roster is comprised of upperclassmen! (23 of 75).  If FSU is to have the season some expect them to have, the young talent of the past two recruiting classes will have to make up for the recruiting failures of 2006 and 2007 under the previous coaching regime (aka before Jimbo Fisher).  Only 12 of FSU's projected 22 starters are upperclassmen (and only 10 of those 12 were recruited before 2007).  Almost half of the 'Nole's starters will be Jimbo Fisher's guys- young kids who were recruited in the last two years.  So far, the results have been encouraging.  Here's the press release TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - There was no shortage of contact work Tuesday morning, when the Florida State football team hit the practice field for the first of two practice sessions. After spending the first portion of the 2 1/2-hour workout in position segments, the Seminoles tuned up for the team contact work with "board drills" - 1-on-1 skirmishes between offensive and defensive players battling over 2x8. The second half of practice featured a heavy dose of work on the running game and the play-action pass; a setting that really emphasizes the work in the trenches. Moses McCray and Jacobbi McDaniel were both impressive against FSU's elite offensive line group. FSU coach Bobby Bowden, who characterized Monday's practice as a "ho-hum" effort, liked the way his team responded. "I thought they picked it up a little bit today," Bowden said. "I thought they responded pretty decently." The central figures along those battles are offensive line coach Rick Trickett's young-but-seasoned unit, and defensive line coach Odell Haggins' youngsters, behind seniors Kendrick Stewart and Budd Thacker. Sophomore Moses McCray and true freshmen Jacobbi McDaniel and Demonte McAllister are getting a lot of work, now that Justin Mincey (knee injury) and Everett Dawkins (moved to defensive end) aren't in the mix. "They're getting a good dose of good football," Haggins said of the youngsters. "Jacobbi's holding up. Demonte is a little undersized, but he's coming on. He's just got to keep focusing. They've never done anything like this. When their legs are tired, they've got to keep pushing and look into the backfield. They've got to keep doing the little things." The McTrio - McCray, McDaniel and McAllister - represents the future of the interior defensive front, but could figure in this year's effort to improve against the run. All three have the size or frames the coaching staff wants to make in-roads in that area. "I think we're gaining on that," Bowden said. "We're still not as big and as strong as we want to be, because they're so doggone young. I do see some good talent out there. ... I can see something good to work with." That the youngsters can get that work against All-American offensive line candidates Rodney Hudson and Ryan McMahon, should help hasten their development. "It helps a lot, but I expect them to go out there and play football," Haggins said. "I know they're young, but I expect them to go out there and compete hard." McCray, McDaniel and McAllister all registered tackles for loss Tuesday morning, flashing their potential to disrupt offenses. McDaniel drove freshman tailback Lonnie Pryor into the ground for a 5-yard loss with a tackle that could have come from an instructional rodeo manual. Pryor, however, continued to demonstrate the toughness that has drawn praise from the coaching staff by piling up yardage after first contact. The Okeechobee (Fla.) native broke off one long touchdown run during an inside running drill. Jermaine Thomas added a couple big runs between the tackles. Tuesday's practice concluded with the offense going 11-on-11 from the 15-yard line. Quarterback Christian Ponder and wideout Richard Goodman collaborated on a 10-yard touchdown pass. Quarterback EJ Manuel scrambled for 7 yards and Pryor powered for 5, setting up Manuel's 3-yard touchdown pass to walk-on fullback Danny Gard. Practice culminated with eight goal line plays. The first- and second-team offenses were each 2-for-2 from 3 yards out, but the defense won all four battles from the 1-yard line. Linebackers Nigel Bradham and Nigel Hard came up with big hits on Thomas and Pryor, respectively. Kendall Smith and Markus White stopped Thomas for a 2-yard loss, while walk-on safety Chad Colley teamed with freshman JaJuan Harley to drop Pryor for a 7-yard loss on the final play of the morning session. Inside, we'll break down what this release means. First, it's great that Moses McCray and Jacobbi McDaniel are getting good reps against the excellent FSU defensive line.  Their importance to FSU cannot be understated, particularly with Mincey likely to miss the first half of the season. FSU apparently worked on the run game today, and did very well.  That should be expected, because their run game was already excellent.  I'm glad to see freshman running back Lonnie Pryor is getting reps, because Jermaine Thomas should be held out.  He's already proven that he can run and risking an injury at this point is silly.  Just in the past week, Miami and USF have lost their 1st oir 2nd string running backs.   Speaking of Pryor, Andrew Carter reports that he is doing well: Freshman RB Lonnie Pryor continues to impress. He's running exceptionally well, especially after contact. He has definitely taken advantage of the reps he is receiving while Ty Jones (hamstring) and Chris Thompson (ankle) nurse injuries. Chris Thompson was seen not wearing his boot/brace, so that is encouraging.  I don't expect much our of Jones or Pressley early int he year.  Pryor has a long ways to go before he can see meaningful game action, but he is a tough runner.  These injuries have been setbacks.  Can Thomas carry the load?  We shall see, but he was gassed at times last year and took huge "kill-shots" at times, leading to concussions.  When healthy though, he is fantastic.   Also from Carter, it's good to see Nigel Carr getting reps at middle backer.  He is a serious talent  with superstar potential.  If he outplays Kendall Smith, who had an excellent spring, he could start. In any case, it will be tough to keep Carr in the garage.  (haha, puntastic). Steve Ellis of the Democrat reports that Bowden acknowledged the lack of size in the front 7, and the need to depend on youth.  Also says that Korey Mangum was banged up today, so the defense had to use Nick Moody at rover.  No word yet on how he played.     Become a fan of Tomahawk Nation on facebook! http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/TomahawkNationcom/63264950770 Follow Tomahawk Nation on Twitter!  https://twitter.com/TomahawkNation New Readers:  please read through the Tomahawk Nation Welcome Guide!  We put a lot of work into that and it should enhance your experience. Pick up your Tomahawk Nation 2009 T-Shirt!  This is a very high quality shirt.  Now available in white and Garnet, and in Womens sizes as well!  This is a shirt you can wear out.  It's not gaudy and not trashy.  It is designed and produced entirely by FSU Alumni!  The White option is perfect for the WhiteOut game (USF!)     via assets.sbnation.com Tue, 18 Aug 2009 16:15:56 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/Florida_State_Tuesday_081809_Practice_Update_Seminoles_Counting_on_Promising_Youth/1007135 http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/Florida_State_Tuesday_081809_Practice_Update_Seminoles_Counting_on_Promising_Youth/1007135 Florida State Tuesday 08.18.09 Practice Update: Seminoles Counting on Promising Youth http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/Florida_State_Tuesday_081809_Practice_Update_Seminoles_Counting_on_Promising_Youth/1007135 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/logoMini.png Every day while catching up on my daily Nole must reads, I very often wonder to myself, "Are my 2009 Noles going to be better than last year’s team?" Recently I came across a similar series that I thought I could apply to our 2009 Seminoles, which might make for entertaining reading to some of our TN members.  While this series may not actually answer my question, it might at least give us something to discuss and debate until more information starts rolling in once the practices actually start. What I will attempt to do, is to project how our 7 basic units (defensive line, linebackers, secondary, backfield, offensive line, receivers and tight ends, and special teams) of the 2009 Noles will perform as compared to last season team. The way we will try to come up with a possible answer is to address each of the 7 units above individually, by using the projected 2 deeps as of today, in comparison with last years starters. We will look at who was there last season, analyze the roster changes, if any, and then we will all decide if these changes will result in progression, regression, or if we can expect little or no change. We must remember that with the kickoff still over a month away, and the start of practices still over one week away, it will be impossible to reach definite conclusions at this time. There could very well be injuries, promotions, demotions, and incoming freshmen who might surprise us all. I will ask you the TN members to project via poll, (your favorite way and the easiest and most accurate measure available to us) how well you expect the 7 individual units will perform this season. At the end of the series, I will report back to you, the TN readers, what your expectations of this team are at this point in time. Recently NoleThruandThru gave us his projected two-deep lineup and asked you for your thoughts on the 2-deeps.  While there were some very good comments and opinions posted as to what may happen before and during the upcoming season, for the purpose of this series I will be using only the official Seminole 2-deep lineups posted along with some projections and input I received from FSUncensored. Please remember that while we lost some very good individual talent, we want to look at the each unit as a whole when we finally vote on whether that particular unit has progressed, stayed stagnant, or regressed, in comparison to last years unit.    Today we will start with the DEFENSIVE LINE. 2008 DE=Benjamin Lampkin (really a LB) started the first 3 games, then was replaced by Neffy Moffett who started the rest of the season. In 10 games played, Moffett had 19 Total Tackles of which 11 were for loss, 5.5 sacks, 1 int, 2 QBH, and forced two fumbles and recovered one. Both players are now gone. 2009 PROJECTED DE=Kevin McNeil and Jamar Jackson   2008 NG=Moses McCray started the first 2 games then was replaced by Budd Thacker who started every remaining game until the Champs Bowl when Paul Griffinstarted his last game as a Nole. Griffin is the only one gone and only had 11 Total Tackles, 1 for loss, 1 QBH, and 1 FR. 2009 PROJECTED NG=Moses McCray and Budd Thacker   2008 DT=Kendrick Stewart started 8 games and Justin Mincey started 4 games, 3 of which were the last 3 games. 2009 PROJECTED DT=Justin Mincey and Kendrick Stewart   2008 DE=Everette Brownhas left and taken his 36 total tackles of which 21.5 were for losses, 13.5 sacks, 2 pass BU, 3 QBH, 4 FF, and 1 FR. 2009 PROJECTED DE=Markus White and Toshmon Stevens.   OTHERS EXPECTED TO CONTRIBUTE: Everett Dawkins (SDE), Brandon Jenkins(WDE), Jacobbi McDaniels (DT), Demonte McAllister (DT/SDE)   Well there you have it. I guess the real question is not if Brown and Moffett can be replaced, but whether their replacements will be able to keep up the kind of pressure on the QB we saw last year, to prevent the rest of the defense from being shredded.   MY PROJECTION: REGRESSION. What is yours? Please vote now.  Poll 2009 FSU DEFENSIVE LINE-PROGRESSION, STAGNATION, OR REGRESSION? Please read the whole article before voting. Poll closes Friday July 31 at 7:00 PM PROGRESSION STAGNATION REGRESSION   1 votes | Results Wed, 29 Jul 2009 22:55:46 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/Progression_Stagnation_or_Regression_Noles_Defensive_Line/904177 http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/Progression_Stagnation_or_Regression_Noles_Defensive_Line/904177 Progression, Stagnation, or Regression? Noles Defensive Line http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/Progression_Stagnation_or_Regression_Noles_Defensive_Line/904177 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/2/6/26bfda49334e6402f691c18fce87b517378b4b45/mini/Florida_State_v_aad8.jpg With only 40 days until the 2009 season starts, it's time to learn about the opponent's on Florida State's schedule.  We'll start with the teams Florida State did not play last year, leading off with in-state foe South Florida.  Yesterday we looked at USF's offense (not impressive), and today we'll look at their better half and the Bulls' special teams. Strategy:  The Bulls are a 4-3 base team and they do not hesitate to bring an 8th defender into the box to help with run support.  They aren't blitz crazy nor are they uber-conservative. Coach:  The Bulls' Defensive Coordinator is Joe Tresey who took over for Wally Burnham after Burnham took the Iowa State job.  Tresey was at Cincinatti before this and is highly thought of in some coaching circles and he can be very aggressive.  Additionally, HC Jim Leavitt is a defensive minded coach and has a lot of input with his favored unit.  2008 Bulls' Defense Overall Run Defense Pass Defense Fremeau Efficiency Index (FEI)  Per Drive, better explanation at link. 39th S&P+ Defense (National)  Per play, better explanation at link. 38th 10th 78th S&P+ Defense Conference Games Only 3rd 2nd 6th If you are curious as to what these numbers mean, click on the links.  Just know that they are widely accepted by professional gamblers and other people who study the game for their living as the best and most consistent measures of performance.    Front 7 USF's defensive line is the best in the Big East.  Phil Steele calls them the 6th best defensive line in the nation.  Simply put, they are loaded. USF loses Defensive End Jarriett Buie and his 5 sacks (all in Big East play).  He was a solid contributor and started all 13 games for the Bulls.  The only other loss is Sampson Genus, a defensive tackle who is now competing for a spot at center. At right end is Super Senior George Selvie, a 6'4" 250lb terror who passed up the NFL draft to return to the Bulls.  He's a two-time All-American and a favorite to win multiple national awards.  As a three year starter (37 games) he has 186 tackles, 60 for loss, and over 20 sacks.  He was hampered by injury last year, but when healthy, he's easily in the conversation for the best defensive end in America.  Selvie is just one of the elite pass rushers Florida State Freshman All America Offensive Tackle Andrew Datko will face this year as the 'Noles confront America's toughest schedule. At the other end position (replacing Buie) are senior Aaron Harris and junior Craig Marshall, along with Jason Pierre-Paul.  Harris is a tweener at 6'4" 265lbs and has played defensive tackle for some of his career.  He's a more natural end and everyone in USFs program raves about him.  He had an excellent sophomore season and is considered the front runner to man the strongside end position by many.  Craig Marshall is more of a pass rushing specialist at 6'5 260 and needs to refine his game, particularly by getting in the weight room.  He did play in every game last season and had 4.5 tackles for loss.  If he makes improvements this offseason, he could overtake Harris.  Even if he doesn't start, he will play a lot of snaps for the Bulls.    The real wild card here is Paul-Pierre, a stud JUCO transfer (top JUCO defensive lineman in the country).  Pierre-Paul stands 6' 5" 265 and some believe he will take the starting spot, mostly based off his impressive film, frame, and recruiting profile.  David Bedford had a nice spring game and should also contend for playing time.   At Nose Guard the Bulls have juniorTerrell McClain.  At 6'3" and 306lbs, he earned playing time as a freshman and continues to dominate for USF.  Both strong and quick, FSU fans should compare him to Moses McCray.  McClain should expect to be 1st team Big East in his second season as a starter.  At the other tackle is Rs.Fr. Cory Grissom (6'2" 289lbs), who hurt his ankle early in the season and misses th rest of the season.  He has great quickness and athleticism, but is obviously quite raw.  Backing him up is 5' 11" 267lb Sophomore Keith McCaskill.  He has a good wingspan and is very quick.   NOTE:  There is a chance Harris will play tackle not end, so keep that in mind.  The coaches are hoping that Grissom can get the job done at tackle, but if he can't or if some of the other ends blow up, Harris could end up back at tackle. All in all, this is an excellent defensive line with multiple players who will eventually play in the NFL.   . Linebacker The departed:  USF lost First Team all-Big East Strongside 'backer Tyrone McKenzie, who led the team in tackles (116) and tackles for loss (14.5), to go with a sack, a pick, and eight pass breakups.  He is the only significant loss.   USF will still have a strong linebacker corps, and is starts with Senior middle linebacker Kion Wilson, an 11 game starter as a junior at 6'2" 235. He is the big hitter who started 11 games a year ago.  His backup will be Michael Lanaris, 6'1" 230 and one of the better linebackers in Florida coming from 2007. Senior Chris Robinson is currently projected to replace the departed McKenzie on the strong side.  At 6'3" 240lbs, he is an decent force player who had a good spring.  Some USF fans aren't pleased with him, however, and wonder if he will ever put it all together.  A former defensive end, he's an excellent blitzer but also has limited range and is the guy the Bulls pull when facing a 3, 4, or 5 wideout set.  Also competing for the job is JUCO stud JaQuan Williams.  Phil Steele projects Williams to start at one of the outside backer spots, but I'm not sure on that.  Needless to say, he is talented.  Sam Barrington and Armando Sanchez also factor in here, but their roles are undetermined right now. At weakside linebacker, the Bulls will plug in 6' 0" 230lb junior Sabbath Joseph, who played in ever game last season, but not as a starter.  He's excellent in coverage but is a bit on the small side and can struggle getting off blocks.  Backing him up will be 6' 3", 222lb Senior Donte Spires.  He was an excellent JUCO recruit who played well in 2007 and was ineligible last year (academics- redshirt).  Don't be surprised if he starts.   Overall this is a decent linebacker corps.  None would start for Florida State, Miami, or UF, but they are good. Lack of Sacks One thing that was really puzzling to me was USF's lack of sacks.  The disparity in their run and pass defense was huge, as they were 10th against the run and 78th against the pass.  The Bulls had only 23 sacks in 224 passing plays (sack rate of 6.1%).  Part of the reason was Selvie being banged up, but other players also must step up.  If they don't, look for the Bulls to blitz more.   Front 7 Size If you've been following the 'Noles and reading our site closely, you'd know about the correlation between front 7 size and defensive success.  In three of FSU's 4 loses in 2008, they faced monstrous front 7 defenses that were amongst the best in the nation:  UF (1845lbs), Wake Forest (1875lbs), and Boston College (1902lbs).  As the linked article explains, a stout front 7 affords a defense many benefits.  A front 7 of 1830lbs or more really begins to help a defense.  FSU gashed most teams under 1830lbs last year. USF's defense weighs in at 1810lbs, which is good but not great.  When a team is not big enough to stop the run with their front 7, they have to devote an extra defender (defensive back) to the run, creating an 8-man front.  USF does just that.  Of course, that creates a disadvantage for the secondary and limits the possible coverages, but it's a tradeoff that USF makes.  They absolutely sell out for the run. This is an interesting case, because size wise, USF's front 7 is above average, but they are 35+ lbs smaller (and definitely less talented) than the 2008 defenses which shut down FSU's run game.  I assume USF will try to stop the run without the extra defender, at least initially, and then will bring the 8th man down into the box.  that presents an interesting quandary for the Bulls:     If USF plays 8 in the box and accounts for the deep ball, FSU will bubble screen them to death. (Like Miami, NC State for a bit, and MD did some in 2008) If USF plays 8 in the box and tries to account for the bubble screen, FSU will go deep.  (like Va Tech forced FSU to do) If USF plays honest defense (7 in the box), stays in 2-deep coverage, the 'Noles will run the ball.   Most likely, USF will go with the 2nd option and force FSU to beat them deep as Virginia Tech did (and FSU did beat them deep), because it's a high risk but potentially high reward strategy, and as the inferior team, USF will need to take risks.  The Bulls will do everything in their power to stop the run and have done so for years. If USF is somehow able to stop the 'Nole running game with only 7 men, however, they have a serious shot to pull the upset.  It truly is an interesting case and will test the "rule of 1830lbs."     Secondary Having that extreme dedication to stopping the run does cost USF, however, as their 78th ranked pass defense indicates.  USF asks a lot of it's defensive backs (probably too much).  That approach could prove interesting this year.   The Departed:  USF loses strong safety Carlton Williams, who was their defensive player of the year with his 56 tackles and 3 interceptions.  Williams played well for the Bulls, but he wasn't an elite talent and will not be playing pro ball.  They also lost one-year starter Tyller Roberts at cornerback, and underrated safety Louis Gachette. What they're working with:   At boundary corner, USF returns Senior Jerome Murphy.  The 6'1" 190lb Murply had an amazing 67 tackles from his corner position to go with his 7 pass breakups and 2 interceptions.  He is lightning quick and a coach favorite and should compete for 1st, 2nd, or 3rd team all-conference honors.   His backup is redshirt freshman George Baker.   At field corner will probably be sophomores Quenton Washington and Tyson Butler.  Both are average talents who will be tested early and often.  They have potential but must work on their consistency.   USF played over half their 2008 snaps in a Nickel formation (5 defensive backs), so the nickel corner position is vital to their defense (or it was last year).  The loser of the Washington/ Butler competition will square off against redshirt freshman Jon Lejiste.  The field and nickel corner spots are big unknowns for the bulls team and depth could be an issue (though not against FSU, because USF shouldn't suffer much attrition prior to the 'Nole game due to their pathetic opening schedule).   The bulls have a stud in Free safety Nate Allen.  He's 6' 2" 205lbs and a serious NFL prospect.  Allen will be counted on to be the leader of this group.  He had 53 tackles last year, but the bulls would like to be able to use him in more of a centerfield role.  Of course, that will depend on their ability to stop the run without over-committing their defensive backs to the run game, similar to how FSU wasn't able to showcase Myron Rolle because the 'Noles needed him to help with their run defense.  Allen is a candidate for the Thorpe award.     After starting South Florida's bowl game in December, the sophomore Jerrell Young will take on the starting job at strong safety.  Like Allen, he's also 6'2" 205lbs and is a huge hitter.  Young has a lot of talent but must put it together quickly.  USF wants to have allen focus more on the pass and use Young as their 8th defender against the run.   Consistency is really the name of the game for the Bulls secondary.  The new defensive coordinator likes to be very aggressive, and that should work because this secondary is already hyper-aggressive.  It could hurt the Bulls, however, when teams hit them deep with double moves.    Can the Bulls improve on their 2008 defense?  It really depends.  Most likely USF will take a step back in run defense and improve somewhat in pass defense.  Their 2008 disparity (10th and 78th) was silly.  They will be better if their front 7 can stop the run without much help and their front 4 can generate a solid pass rush.  If they continue to throw everything at the run and hang their defensive backs out to dry, however, they could have a rough year, depending on whether the corners can handle their responsibilities.  I look for USF's defense to again be top 40 nationally (39th last year), with a run defense in the top 25 and a pass defense that climbs back into the top half nationally.  They should have a top 4 defense in the Big East.  If the Bulls are to have a shot at winning in Tallahassee, they must have a great defensive performance, selling out for the run grabbing a few turnovers.     Become a fan of us on facebook! http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/TomahawkNationcom/63264950770 Follow us on Twitter!  https://twitter.com/TomahawkNation New Readers:  please read through the Tomahawk Nation Welcome Guide!  We put a lot of work into that and it should enhance your experience. Get your official Tomahawk Nation T-SHIRT!  ORDER NOW! via assets.sbnation.com  (Click to enlarge) Wed, 29 Jul 2009 09:35:19 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/Nole_Your_Enemy_Scouting_South_Floridas_Defense/899351 http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/Nole_Your_Enemy_Scouting_South_Floridas_Defense/899351 'Nole Your Enemy: Scouting South Florida's Defense http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/Nole_Your_Enemy_Scouting_South_Floridas_Defense/899351 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/d/4/d428379f5c84aed73ae6fc2d2528ad758609643a/mini/2c.jpg Florida State's Seminole Showtime camp was a great event.  I really enjoyed meeting some of our long-time readers (CSI Nole, FSUBrad, and FSU44, as well as seeing MattDNole.)  Oh, and the prospects were quite impressive as well.  The 'Noles secured two commitments (profiled earlier this week and linked inside).   Inside, we have reports, and a bunch of pictures and video! A big thanks to all the photographers this week, including CSINOLE, Jasonnole59, and SWFLNole!  Video is by Jasonnole!   Here's the campers walking in More campers walking in Former 'Nole greats enter the camp!   * It was often hard to tell the recruits apart.  I have a photographic memory and tried to remember a clothing detail about every major prospect as they walked out the tunnel, because once they put their helmet on, it was going to be tough.   QB I had a hard time telling some of these kids apart.  I thought that Clint Trickett (Rick's son) threw a pretty ball at times, including a nice deep ball to Kenny Shaw.  That said, he has some physical limitations.  I believe he'll be an excellent spread QB due to his smarts and football intelligence.   Anthony Gonzalez (Bethlehem, PA) failed to stand out to most of us watching.  Granted, his major attribute is his phenomenal athleticism, and he can't put that on display when he's just throwing, but he didn't clearly stand out as an ESPNU150 type recruit.   Tarean Austin is a QB out of Tampa that looked erratic.  He's another athlete who some say might blow up.  6'2" skinny build.  Loves Miami. Eddie Williams is a tall kid from 2012 who looked pretty good considering he is 15 years old.   2012 Eddie Williams (Panama City) video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRk2BVsxohY  Some have floated Antonio Cromartie comparisons.  Going to Soph year.  Scary.   RB Tahj Kimble looked good.  Very good.  He's 5'11" 195 out of Fernadina Beach.  The competition he plays is pretty weak, and he doesn't yet have an offer, but he was definitely the best back there (Gio Bernard attended but didn't workout).  I'm not as sold on him as some others.  People love the flavor of the month, and right now that's Kimble.  He's a bigger back with pretty good feet and good hands, but he is not the best back in Florida.  There weren't many great backs at the camp, so again, Kimble benefited from weak comparison competition. Here are his highlights.  Here's two. Gio Bernard, the highly rated 4* back from St. Thomas Aquinas weighed in at an impressive 210lbs. Gio Bernard likes FSU a lot.   Bernard is an excellent back who plays for a great program (St. Thomas), is extremely smart, coachable, and easily one of the best backs in the country.  He didn't workout at Showtime (elite prospects often don't do camps if they have already proven themselves).  Gio has all the intangible to be an elite college back (to go with his obvious tangibles).     WR Video of WR/CB 1-on-1 Drills.  The first few seconds are Jeff Luc (linebacker, see below) trotting out to his station after drinking some water.  In the middle of the clip, on the near side, is Kenny Shaw catching a slant.   Video of WR/CB 1-on-1 Drills part 2:  Kenny Shaw is the 3rd play in this clip catching a sideline route (in black tights).  Towards the end, we see LB Holmes Onwukaife, the linebacker from Texas (6'3" 220, from Texas) and LB Jeff Luc.   Kenny Shaw (Dr. Phillips High, Orlando)has now solidified himself as a top wideout in the state.  He's already a 4* by rivals.com and on the ESPNU150 watch list.  Shaw was the best wideout at the camp.  He stabbed at a few slant passes early but then calmed down.  He told me last week that he was the best wideout in Florida and that he was going to put on a show.  I asked him what about Dunkley or De'Joshua Johnson (who I expected to be participating- they were not), and he said he didn't care.  I figured it was smoke, but he really showed out at Showtime.  His best attribute is his ability to get in and out of his cuts quickly without losing speed.  He was consistently behind the defensive backs and just got huge separation.  I am sold on this kid.  He loves the 'Noles, but wants to commit after his Senior season.  FSU should save a spot for him unless someone better comes along.    Seen here in tights (Garnet) Shaw stabbed at a few slant passes early but ended up having a great night. 2:26 Video kenny Shaw on slant 1:41 Video of Shaw on a stop/out Karlos Williams (2011, Davenport Ridge), brother of Vince Williams, looked good as well.  He is such an athlete.  Could play linebacker, safety, or Wideout.   via Karlos Williams Andre Davis (2011, from Tampa), also looked very good.  The kid is fast and caught the ball well.  Impressed everyone on hand. Chris Dunkley did show up but didn't work out.  I still think he is 100% UF. TE Tank Sessions was the only even decent looking tight end at the event.   Offensive Line Former 'Nole and Pro Bowler Tra Thomas did an excellent job working with this group, as did FSU offensive line coach Rick Trickett.   FSU commit Ed Christian was very impressive.  He looks almost as big as FSU NG Moses McCray.  He will be a beast of a right tackle.  Ed wears glasses, just in case you were curious.   There were two 2011 kids who I am told were brothers- Nathan and Kyle Theus, and they both looked good.  Nathan especially could be a nice offensive tackle for the 'Noles.   Two local kids l kid you might see next year is offensive tackle prospect Montae Jones (Godby) and Trey Braun (Lincoln).     Defensive Line Lots of stars were out along the defensive line.  Granted, it's tough to judge linemen without pads (compared to wideouts and backs), but I did see some things Nole commit Tavaris Barnes (Jacksonville first coast) looked good.  He's very tall and has a decent frame but can probably add a good bit of weight. Nole commit Darious Cummings (Titusvilla Astronaut) looks bigger than he was the last time I saw him, and he has his trademark quickness.  Had a few wins in pass rush.  (he was in Maroon helmet).  He can play end or tackle.  Was in the ear of all the commits all night.  Darious says he will keep calling potential recruits.  He loves the 'Noles and is an elite recruit.  That's a nice combo to have as your recruiter.   via assets.sbnation.com 'Nolele commit Corey Miller (DE, Byrnes HS, SoCarolina) looked very quick.  He's one of the best prospects in this class and as I profiled in the preview, is a kid we are very lucky to have.  Had some nice wins off the corner and has a great motor.  Also, huge hands.  I wear 2XL batting gloves, and his hand just engulfed mine.  Definitely my fave prospect in this class.  Story on Miller here.   DT Brandon Willis (Byrnes HS) looked big.  He's a polished kid coming from Byrnes.  He looked like he was having a great time out there and was one of the better prospects at the camp.  I fully expect him to join Miller as a 'Nole fairly soon.    Willis might not be able to get above 280lbs because he has narrow hips.  3-technique DT or SDE will be his destination.        * Both Willis and Miller are early entries, meaning they will enroll in January and participate in spring.   Louis Nix (DT, Miami commit) looked powerful but not in the best of shape.  He also acts like a punk out on the field.  Kid has some character issues he needs to work out. Shawn Green had a bad day and was actually pancaked once or twice in drills.  He kept at it though and he said that it was a great trip and that the school was very nice.  Some kids aren't camp players, and he might be one of those. The most impressive defensive lineman was 2011 DE Tim Jernigan.  Unblockable.  I believe he had his shoulder iced after the event, but he looks to be a surefire 5* recruit.  He likes Florida early, but we can get him.   LB FSU wants to take 4 linebackers in this class and really needs 3 at an absolute minimum.   LB Drills Video:  We see Nigel Terrell to open up this video (light skinned black kid on left side).  Onwukaife is in the green shorts, and Luc is in the baggy shorts.  He's also huge.  The focus of the water break is 2011 Karlos Williams. Jeff Luc looked every bit of his 5* ranking.  The kid is a chiseled 240lbs (roughly).  He showed surprising quickness and was clearly the best linebacker at the event.  I tried not to watch him a ton because everyone else watched, but I'm told he covered the RB's very well.  Truly an elite prospect. Christian Jones (Lake Mary, 4*, stud, Huge FSU lean) was very impressive looking (didn't pariticpate, just watched):  He'll look great in Garnet & Gold.  He looks almost as physically impressive as Luc. Nigel Terrell looked to be very quick,.  He's probably a weakside linebacker and it seems that FSU has a shot. Truenole87 watched him and said he looked very long.   Holmes Onwukaife.  FSU offered him.  6'3" 220.  He played defensive end last year, and will play OLB this year.  The kid is from Texas and is very smart.  Holds offers from Michigan and some other top schools.  Harvard as well (again, smart).  If he wants to come FSU would take him.   Holmes Onwukaife Holmes Onwukaife (via jackinthetrac) Note:  FSU will not offer Jeremiah George.  He was not impressive.   DB No defensive back blew people away.   Lamarcus Brutus was a 2011 kid that a lot of people liked.  Kid plays for Treasure Coast  (Jeff Luc's HS).  He can play safety or corner.  Obviously as a 2011 DB, he's a bit raw, but he has excellent feet for a sizable prospect. 'Nole Commit Terrance Brooks looked good and had a few nice jams in 7-on-7.  He's a physical kid.  Good but not great speed.  Could probably play safety or corner.  Definitely raw at this point, but that's what T-Buck is for (to teach technique).   Story on Brooks here.     Cody Riggs is just always playing well.  He's not flashy, but is very well coached.  Wore white w/ blue sleeves. Tyler Hunter is an absolute stud corner/ safety prospect for 2011 out of Valdosta Lowndes (Greg Reid, Gerald Demps, Ed Christian are current 'Noles from there).     Keion Payne looked okay, but did not blow people away.   Notable Missing Players Lamarcus Joyner, 5* corner and large 'Nole lean did not make the trip back up after spending nearly a week in Tallahassee.  Most still expect him to commit before October. Christian Green also visited FSU earlier in the week and did not make it to Showtime.  He's also looking heavily at the Gators.  Most recruitniks still believe he is a 'Nole. LB Telvin Smith attended UGA's Dawg Night and not Showtime.  I can't see how people honestly expect him to be a 'Nole.  He will go to UGA in my opinion.   Photos of Current Players E.J. Manuel & Greg Reid Jacobbi McDaniel   More Videos!   7-on-7 Video  In the first play of this three minute clip, we see Kenny Shaw catching a tight out route.  The 2nd clip focuses in on Jeff Luc (linebacker).  In the 3rd play we see Luc again. Position Groups Video   FSU's Current Class: 6 of 8 FSU recruits are on ESPNU's 150 Watch List.   QB (optional)RBRBRB (optional)WR De'Joshua JohnsonWRWRWR (optional)H-Back (optional)TEOL Ed Christian OLOL (optional)WDE Corey MillerWDE/SDESDE/DT Tavaris BarnesSDE/DT Darious CummingsSDE/DTDT/NGDT/NGOLBOLBMLBLBCB Merril NoelCB Terrence BrooksCBCBCB/S (optional)S Chad Abrams   FSU 7-on-7 (This Weekend) The following prospects should be there: QB JEFFREY GODFREYRB BRANDON GAINERRB EVAN BELLAMY?WR JOSHUA REESEWR DERRICK KNOWLESDE COREY LEMONIERDT CALVIN SMITH (not sure if he plays 7-on-7 but he told me on facebook that he'll be in town)A few others but they are likely no-names.   Recruiting Big Board    Recruiting Map   View Tomahawk Nation.com Florida State Seminoles 2010 Recruiting Map in a larger map Wed, 22 Jul 2009 08:00:10 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/Florida_States_Seminole_Showtime_Camp_Recap_with_pictures_and_video/851167 http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/Florida_States_Seminole_Showtime_Camp_Recap_with_pictures_and_video/851167 Florida State's Seminole Showtime Camp Recap with pictures and video! http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/Florida_States_Seminole_Showtime_Camp_Recap_with_pictures_and_video/851167 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/5/2/527d0ab69b6eff66cc379448e27a21ec7f2ff978/mini/Houston_Texans_v_ecb7.jpg Welcome back. As always, our recruiting coverage here at Tomahawk Nation is based on the: 2010 Big Board *If you have a simple recruiting question (i.e. Where is Jeff Luc leaning?), please do not waste a fanpost.  If you have questions such as these, I direct you to the BIG BOARD when there is not a recruiting post open. Tomahawk Nation's Florida State Seminoles Recruiting Map.  View Tomahawk Nation.com Florida State Seminoles 2010 Recruiting Map in a larger map Again, if you haven't yet given us your zip code, please do so.  We will add you and you can see what players Florida State is targeting in your area.  More info on the map and the project here.  Help us band together and provide the best free Florida State athletics coverage on the net. Let's get to it!  Today is a big update! We told you not to worry unless FSU started accepting commitments from scrubs.  This week the 'Noles grabbed three big comitments from the Sunshine State. COMMITTED: Merrill Noel, CB Tavaris Barnes, DE De'Joshua Johnson, WR  ADDED: Corey Lemonier, DE.  Zach Allen, LB REMOVED: Cory Phillips, DB, no interest.  Impact:  Minimal. Derek Owens, DB, commit to UGA.  We did not show interest.  Impact:  Owens is a good player out of Jacksonville, but we weren't going to offer his teammate just to get him as the Dogs did.  He was at best the 'Nole's 7th rated corner prospect. Morgan Bailey, OL, the lifelong Georgia Tech fan committed to the Yellow Jackets.  Impact:  Minimal.  FSU only plans on taking 2 offensive linemen this year and they already have ESPNU150 Watch List OT Ed Christian from Lowndes.  Bailey is a good player but not someone who will make or break a class.   Reid Webster, OL, committed to Clemson.  Impact:  Again, Minimal.  We're not losing any prospects we really need. Mark Wilson, LB, Tallahassee Lincoln.  Committed to Illinois.  He's a marginal prospect, but we do need linebackers.  Impact:  undetermined.  We'll know more when other LB prospects emerge. Nate Askew, TE, San Antonio.  Committed to Texas A&M.  Impact:  FSU needs a tight end, but this kid was a long shot from Texas.  Brent Benedict, OT, Jacksonville.  Committed to UGA.  Impact: HUGE, because it keeps him away from UF.  FSU had little shot with him from the get-go. Ralph Williams, LB, Miami.  Committed to Tennessee.  Impact:  Minimal. Richard Leonard, CB, Miami.  No interest.  Impact:  Minimal. MOVED: Greg Dent, from WR to CB.  Why?  Dent isn't a wideout at a major D1 college but has shown considerable coverage ability in recent camps.  I posted a fanshot about Dent about a week ago.  Hopefully we start showing interest. NOTES: Florida State commit Ed Christian will take visits to other schools, but I am told not to worry.  He's a Nole and just wants to get wined and dined during his four other visits.  I bet that he keeps recruiting for FSU.  Can he pull Telvin Smith? Corey Lemonier might seriously consider the 'Noles.  I'd be shocked if he went anywhere other than Miami, but I heard that he will give everyone a look. Do not worry about Christian Green and UF.  He recently named UF his leader, FSU will be too strong in the end.  Longtime 'Nole recruitniks remember that Nigel Bradham and Jacobbi McDaniel also named UF their leader at one point in the process.  In fact, Tharinger.com confirmed that he has no leader, but rather that he likes FSU, UF, AND UGA in some order.  Brandon Gainer:  it's us against Tennessee.  He'll be an early entry so expect a decision before September.  Eduardo Clements is playing games.  That being said, I do not expect him to end up here..   Preliminary list of prospects attending Florida's Friday Night Lights camp courtesy of Tharinger (6/23).  He's getting us an FSU list soon. The next commitment?  I think either Haggins or Joyner. Byrnes DL Brandon Willis attended a UNC camp.  Those there still feel he and Corey Miller are 'Noles. CB Keion Payne is looking hard at Miami.  We might have waited too long with the offer.  Speaking of Merrill Noel, he shut down highly coveted Georgia commit Da'rick Rogers at the huge 7 on 7 back in March. Another note on Noel:  Who is he going up against in practice?  De'Joshua Johnson, Chris Dunkley, and Fred Pickett. I am starting to think we take Jeffrey Godfrey if he wants to come.  However, USF has promised him the starting job next year, and he is listening.  If we do not take Godrey, we will not take a QB this cycle. We show Brandon Gainer enough interest, he is a Seminole.  We can only hope. Does anyone have any film on Pahokee LB Zach Allen (6'2' 200 4.6)?  ESPN is very high on the kid.  Portions from ESPN Scouts, Inc: Coveted disruptive presence on defense and is a guy who can get after the quarterback and make a lot of plays near the line of scrimmage. Tall, Long and rangy. A good vertical attacking and projects best in heavy pressure defense. Quick, long and disruptive off the edge even in a two-point stance. Covers a lot of ground quickly in the short-range and can redirect sharply mirroring the ball carrier. Chases and pursues very well from the backside with his long wing spin and good closing burst. An effective reach and grab type of tackler who pursues with a high motor. A sideline to sideline guy with good range and speed. Very effective pass rusher; displays good first-step quickness, knows how to work the edge/half the blocker's body and bend flat down the line of scrimmage. Simply can get after the quarterback and collapse the pocket with speed and high energy. Shows fluid hips for a taller, vertical guy. Very active with his hands at the point of attack separating and stringing out the run to the sideline; difficult to seal on the perimeter run.  His ability to sift through the fast moving traffic laterally is a question mark as well. He flashes good ball skills and athleticism at tight end making us think he can develop that facet of his game. Overall, Allen has a sought-after blend of potential size and fast-twitched athleticism and can simply rush the passer and make plays off the edge. Will need some polish and work in a fulltime weight training program but his upside on becoming a disruptive perimeter presence at the major college level is very promising.  ESPN has him rated as a better prospect than teammate Richard Ash who many seem to be cooling on. Strong DO NOT WANT DOG for Demar Dorsey.  Kid is a headcase with bad grades and character issues. Ohio H-back Dan Schnieder has legit interest.  gahnki has the in here, and is high on the kid.  It will probably be him or Basford for that spot. Florida will most likely not offer CB Terrence Brooks (Dunnellon HS, FL).  Good news.  Charles Fishbein reports that the kid is built like a tree trunk (not unlike Janoris Jenkins, on the field). FILM: Cliff Coleman (Boyd Anderson HS), 5'11 170, 4.4.  Runs the 100m in 10.5 seconds: Coleman is starting to grow on me.  Rumors have us the team to beat, but that was before Miami coach Randy Shannon personally offered him.  Certainly a long strider, with long arms, Coleman has enormous potential at the position.  However, we want to see more out of him.  Right now, I would take him over his headcase teammate Demar Dorsey.  I can't wait until senior film comes.   Pernell Williams (Coffee HS, GA), 6'1 170 4.5  UF likes this kid.  He tried to commit to them back in April (ala Tavaris Barnes) but was stonewalled by Meyer and the UF coaching staff.  He has nice size, and good enough quicks.  I want to see better film; however, this will be another senior season evaluation by our coaching staff.  Another South Georgia stud?   New Prospect for 2011:  Tony Jackson (RB) One of our newer writers, TarponsandNoles caught up with Taylor County HS (Perry, FL) head coach Shane Boggs to discuss Jackson: Tony Jackson (Taylor County HS, Perry FL)2011 POS: RBHT: 5'9''WT: 180 Lbs40: 4.4G.P.A: 2.8 The state of Florida has a number of 2011 recruits that have been talked about lately. The RB position has especially been thrown around. However there is 2011 RB that is somewhat unknown outside the North FL area, and hasn't been hyped by the "big" scouting sites. Tomahawk Nation has the exclusive on him right now. Tony Jackson plays RB for Taylor County HS, in Perry FL. A team that doesn't have heavy talent each year; he may just be something special. Tony runs tall, never really dropping his center of gravity even on cuts, much in the same manner as Adrian Peterson. He has a quick stride and makes the first defender miss, but keeps his legs going once someone has a hold of him, often times gaining the extra 2-3 yards. He has no problem running between the tackles, cutting back into the lane when he sees something positive. Tony possesses excellent lateral movement as well. Because of his athleticism he can dance a little bit too much behind the line of scrimmage and never gets to the hole, but when he does he explodes through it and gets North-South quickly. Although that may have been because of the penetration the defense was getting time and again in the footage I saw. I spoke with his head coach Shane Boggs about him, and he had nothing but good things to say. He assured me that Tony was a good student who has a 2.8 GPA and won't have a problem qualifying. He told me that Tony can power clean an impressive 285 lbs, and that when he coached Ernie Sims at NFC, Ernie was power cleaning 295 his senior year. Tony just completed his sophomore year. Finally he told me that he has coached 25 D1 athletes and that Tony fits in well with all of them. To recap:Biggest Strengths: Excellent lateral movement, explosive burst, good vision.Biggest Weakness: May need to improve ball skills to become a legitimate passing threat out of the backfield on the next level. Tony Jackson is a legitimate RB prospect in the state of FL for 2011. He has the size and speed to play D1 in the future. On top of that he has good enough vision and explosiveness to make impressive cut backs; given our need for that and our offensive line scheme I think we should recruit him. Tony is close to the Tallahassee area, and a lot of coaches will get a chance to see him in the next two years. A big thanks to TarponsandNoles for the update and the film should come this week.  If any members have any info, on any 2011 prospects, tell us!   A shift in recruiting philosophy:  Jimbo Fisher's increased influence- building an Saban-style defense. This comes to us from TomahawkNation writer (and famed wordsmith) CaStauch. It has been rumored that Florida State defensive ends coach Jody Allen stressed to keep both of his defensive ends under 250 pounds for some inane reason. Recruiting a 6'5 260 pound junior in high school that can be easily seen as a 6'5 275 pound player by his sophomore year is an incredible step forward and a very clear indicator that Jimbo Fisher is asserting his influence and desires on the defensive side of the ball - at least via recruiting - and that our defense under his stewardship will be much more modern, much bigger, much stronger, and most importantly much more coherently structured.  Not only will we be playing with great pieces, but we will have great pieces that fit together. Returning from our roster for 2010 (remove the Seniors from link), and I'll risk a guess based on what they've managed thus far and how I perceive their frames / work ethics: *All Weights are 2010 projections Weakside Defensive End (WDE)Markus White, RSSr 6'4 265Brandon Jenkins, So 6'3 250Jamar Jackson RSJr 6'4 240 Strongside Defensive End (SDE)Everett Dawkins RSSo 6'2 265Toshmon Stevens RSSo 6'6 240Dan Hicks 6'4 So/RSFr 6'4 260 Defensive Tackle (DT)Demonte McAllister So 6'4 280 Nose Tackle or Nose Guard (NT/g)Moses McCray Jr 6'2 300 Jacobbi McDaniel So 6'1 290 While most of us typically look at depth charts strictly in terms of numbers returning, I prefer instead to look at it in terms of effective depth returning. Sometimes, you need to be realistic and hazard an assumption that a player won't be the player you thought he was in high school. Effectively, with White being a junior (according to FSU, though there is some question as to his Senority), we really only have one returning weakside defensive end. Now, Jackson could still prove me wrong, but up to this point he's been nothing but a dart board for the verbal lashings of our coaches - even when healthy.  And in only one spring practice, Brandon Jenkins has wowed people with his talent and work ethic. Additionally, there are circumstances during the game where it'd be beneficial to play 2 hybrid WDEs, or 2 SDEs, or an orthodox alignment, etc. For these, flexibility is key.  In these situations, Markus White at 265lbs (2010 growth projection) will undoubtedly line up at the SDE position in pass rush situations, especially if Jenkins can prove effective in spite of his youth. So, should we be so lucky, bringing in Corey Miller and Corey Lemonier serves all purposes.  It gives us an immediate injection of considerable talent at weakside defensive end as well as two players that could conceivably harbor the flexibility aspect with ease. Miller is already 6'4 and 250, and has like size 22 feet or something. I'm usually not one to dig too deeply into bone prospectus, but that's a good sign.  Additionally, Miller has a legendary worth ethic and is one of those guys the coaches have to kick out of the gym (he never leaves). Moving down the line, our numerical and talent-considered depth at SDE looks to be rapidly improving. Hopefully, Everett Dawkins is moved outside to stay. He was lucky to pick one of those mercurial "injuries" and was awarded a medical redshirt year for 2008 despite playing in a few games.  I hope a kinder fate chooses Darious Cummings.  Anyone and everyone has said that they doubt he'll be able to hold much more weight beyond 270, and most services list him as a defensive end.  His "jump out at you" characteristic is his quickness.  Toshmon Stevens, though a recipient of praise from Stroud, cannot be considered to be anything more than a project at this point. Granted, he may emerge from his initially 205 pound cocoon an Andre Wadsworth (from walk-on to 3rd pick in the NFL draft), but recall how rare players like Andre come around, and also recall that Wadsworth put on something stupid like 45+ pounds in 7 months and had a Deion-like work ethic and dedication. In a 43 under scheme, the two outside positions are just as important as the two inside alignments. It was fashionable to cuss and sling mud at our interior DL for their inability to stop the run last season; but our lack of an SDE certainly didn't do them any favors, nor did our one-trick pony at WDE (even if his one trick was good enough to land him in the NFL - keep in mind that most NFL scouts recognized Everette Brown's limitation and prefer him as "only rush the passer LB" in a 34). With the recruits coming in and if we properly orient and develop the ones we currently have, we'd obtain the flexibility and necessary talent to relieve pressure from the 3 tech (DT) and 1 tech positions (NT). We'd have enough size, speed, and size-speed to match up against whatever the opponent threw our way. And we'd have competition. Moving to 3 tech DT. This position is isolated for one on one matchups in the 43 under (see TrueCubbie's piece linked below).  It would follow, then, that burst off the ball, the ability to initially engage and rid oneself of a blocker, and technique would be preferable to a lumbering size. This is, of course, contingent upon the 3 tech having the luxury of lining up next to a true 1 tech that can sustain the blocks from two OL. While there are doubts beginning to rumble from sub-par camp performances, I love Brandon Willis' talents at the 3 tech at least from his film. For me, these highlights are immeasurably more telling than camps - mainly because camps do very well to mitigate the detrimental weaknesses that some linemen have while emphasizing skills that won't come through in a game. Richard Ash is a prime example. Those who have seen him in games remark mainly about his disappearing act. But then he goes to a camp 30 pounds lighter than everyone else and in shorts, and runs circles around them. ZOMG! Sorry, but the spacing found in camps is rarely available in the trenches. And, it's much easier to use your speed when you're in shorts. Shawn Green is another possibility here, so too is Calvin Smith. Amp McCloud I would prefer to slide over to the 1 tech, but he's a player that could give you flexibility in the interior and play situationally at either.  (McCloud is rumored to be 275lbs right now and had had blood pressure concerns).  Regardless, I think we need to bring in 3 players here to promote competition and depth behind the player Pete Carroll (2nd greatest mind in 43 under history) said was, "The Best 3 Tech DT I've ever seen in High School" - Demonte McAllister. We haven't had a true 1-tech NT in some time. I believe, especially given his SEC upbringing under Saban, Fisher wants this to be changed rather quickly into his era.  Nobody knows a defense better than the offense that faces it every day, and Fisher's offense destroyed the FSU defense this spring.  He understands the desperate need for a 1-tech NT.  Moses McCray is a talent. He has the wrestling pedigree that denotes hand strength, speed, and coordination (heavyweight champion wrestler). These skills are essential for the engaged technique 1 tech Nose Tackles need. They need to be able to sustain contact with 2 players and hold their position while doing so. Leverage and technique, besides size and lower body strength, allow the 1 tech to achieve this goal. McCray has the size, strength, and the technique.  Jacobbi McDaniel also, for me, has these abilities. If one is to believe him, he's anywhere from 280-290 currently.  Amazing technique, dominating leverage, and dedication. After going through like a 6 year famine at the position, FSU could very well find themselves fat and happy here. [Uncensored interjects:  I think McDaniel is a 3-tech DT at FSU.  To me, he's a penetrator, excelling at getting penetration by getting small and using his quickness through defenders.  He'll never have the bulk to absorb double teams.  I think FSU takes another 1-TECH NT, or one more then CaStauch thinks we take.  Time will tell.] Still, I think we need to bring in 1 more true NT for competition and to ward off stagnation from the aforementioned.  Damien Jacobs or Elliot Porter, from the fertile (and especially so re: NTs) Louisiana muddy waters, would both come in with something to prove against the highly rated above them. So that's my take. I would honestly like 8 DL in this class. 2 WDE2 SDE (that can cross train over)3 DT1 NT in 2004, Jimbo Fisher and Nick Saban signed 7 defensive linemen at LSU.  This DL class won them the 2006 Sugar Bowl and 2007 national championship.  They were returning 2 more interior DL than we are in 2010.  All of the players they brought in were heralded and most were drafted.  I think this class and its successes is certainly something Jimbo can sell to any DL recruits that may worry about the numbers we plan to bring in. Depth and competition didn't sap Marlon Favorite, Glenn Dorsey, Tyson Jackson, or Charles Alexander of their pro prospects: it stimulated it. For more on defensive line play, make sure to also check out TrueCubbie's piece on defensive line techniques and fits. For more on what FSU has been doing wrong on defense, see :  Size Matters, Part I & Part II   A shift in philosophy:  How two of the most fertile recruiting state's top programs squandered talent for a half decade.  This is a Miami article, but the premise is enitrley relevant here.  It was sent to me by FrankDNole.   UM: Burned by Web hype, recruiters go with gut -- South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com "I used to go in the coaches' offices and sometimes they would literally have Rivals.com up on their screen," said Matt Shodell, who covers UM and its recruiting for CaneSport.com. "I won't name the coaches, but they would be writing names down on pieces of paper. I don't know how much film they were looking at." The Hurricanes have since turned to their eyes as the best evaluators of talent. Recruits now commonly say they have yet to receive a UM scholarship offer because coaches haven't seen film. Hurtt said the staff also avoids highlight tapes that often appear on recruiting sites. Even those can provide false hope. "The big difference is we're evaluating game film now," Hurtt said. "A lot of times it was highlight tapes, highlight tapes, highlight tapes. That could be just a big teaser for you. You watch it and all of a sudden people are geeked up. Then you find the actual game tape, and he doesn't know where he's going on the field and things like that. You find out things in the game film." You really need to read the article to get the full meaning, but these things absolutely happened at FSU.  I've heard that Fisher was appalled when he got to FSU over our lazy recruiting practices.  Things have really changed now.  I've spoken at length about how FSU is still recovering from Bobby Bowden's recruiting failures in 2006 and 2007, borne from a lack of scouting and due diligence.  Just use the search feature for "failed 2006 or 2007 class".  Needless to say, they were disastrous. Those two classes comprise our upperclassmen, and of those, there are only 10 starters (7 from 2006 and 3 from 2007, the class compiled mostly by the lame duck Jeff Bowden staff).  Two recruiting classes producing only 10 upperclassmen starters is a failure by any measure.  Thanks Jeff. Remember that recruiting rankings are overwhelmingly accurate on average, but as FSU and Miami showed over the last half decade, each player must be individually evaluated.  See Here, and Here.  Failing to look at game film and conduct proper due diligence on a kid's character is completely unacceptable.  Luckily, Jimbo and company (Coley, LaCavita) have brought the world-class Nick Saban model of organization.  Simply put, FSU is putting in more man hours now and they have better talent evaluators doing the work.  They are setting FSU up for the future and once we have an ounce of leadership at the top, the 'Noles will roll. The Current Class *= optional slot Position Name Hometown (High School) Ht/ Wt/ 40yd Rating QB* RB RB RB* H-B WR De'Joshua Johnson Pahokee, FL (Pahokee) 5' 10"/ 150/ 4.36 ESPNU 150 Watch List/ Rivals 4* (5.8) #27 WR, Rivals 250 member. WR WR WR TE OL Ed Christian Valdosta, GA (Lowndes) 6' 5"/ 290/ 5.27 ESPNU 150 Watch List/ Rivals 4* (5.8) #24 OT OL WDE SDE Tavaris Barnes Jacksonville, FL (First Coast) 6' 5"/ 250/ 4.69 Not Rated/ Not rated DE DT NT NT/ NG DL Darius Cummings Titusville, FL (Astronaut) 6' 2/ 256/ 4.8 ESPNU 150 Watch List/ Rivals 4* (5.8) #24 DE LB LB LB CB CB CB Merril Noel Pahokee, FL (Pahokee) 5' 8"/ 170/ 4.37 ESPN 78/ Rivals 3* (5.6), #38 corner S Chad Abrams Lakeland, FL (Kathleen) 6' 0"/ 190/ 4.6 ESPNU 150 Watch List/ Rivals 3* (5.7) #21 safety DB ATH* Great Member Generated Content: NoleThruandThru put together an excellent predicted class.  FrankDNole profiled Chuck Amato's former success and current struggles in South Florida. TarponsandNoles discussed the issue of "pipelines" (recruiting heavily from one area or school. We're really growing and just recently hit 700 active members.  We'll have a nice "new member guide" up soon (still looking for help on this).   Get to Seminole Showtime!  July 18th!  At the Doak!  Tallahasseee!  be There! That's right.  Seminole Showtime is the 18th.  Come out to see the past, present, and future Seminole greats.  Show out in force and encourage these kids to commit.  Show them the love.  Let them know that they are the final piece to the puzzle. Question of the Day:  How would you grade Florida State's 2010 recruiting at this point in time?   GO NOLES!! Become a fan of us on facebook!  http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/TomahawkNationcom/63264950770 Follow us on Twitter!  https://twitter.com/TomahawkNation Wed, 24 Jun 2009 08:45:24 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/Florida_State_Wednesday_Open_Recruiting_Thread_062409/750196 http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/Florida_State_Wednesday_Open_Recruiting_Thread_062409/750196 Florida State Wednesday Open Recruiting Thread 06.24.09 http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/Florida_State_Wednesday_Open_Recruiting_Thread_062409/750196 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/logoMini.png