Florida State Football Recruiting: 3 Things Missing in Seminoles' 2012 Class

So 2011 was a tad on the disappointing side.

But remember, two steps forward, one step back.

Jimbo Fisher has done a great job at reinvigorating confidence in the Seminoles nationally. The team will be able to step up in 2012, but first Fisher's squad merits a look-see.

The cupboard is far from bare, but there are a few nit-picky issues one can find with next season's edition of the Seminoles.

1. Offensive Line Consistency

I really tossed blame on the offensive line last year, and it was perhaps unfair. With such a young line in a physical ACC, this year’s 9-4 record really should have not been a surprise.

But the second half of the Champs Sports Bowl changed that. The offensive line allowed quarterback EJ Manuel to go through a game without an interception! When the offensive line was able to stand up to Notre Dame, success happened! Eighteen straight points is nothing to minimize—Notre Dame might not be back to elite yet, but their players are still talented.

The offensive line needs to continue in their consistency. If they do, the sky is the limit for the Seminoles.

2. Discipline

If you accumulate all their penalties over the past 12 seasons, the Florida State Seminoles are the most penalized team.

And about 12 years ago, the Seminoles started to fade from the national elite.

Coincidence? I think not.

Any college football team that consistently shoots itself in the foot will never reach national glory. Maybe the ‘Noles can get away with it in small games, but the ‘Noles haven’t won big games for too long.

If Fisher can establish more discipline among this more experienced team (18 starters return), then the Seminoles can keep themselves in the Top 10.

3. Dorial Green-Beckham

The Seminoles has a great corps of young wide receivers coming into even bigger roles next year. Rashad Greene and Kenny Shaw already have had a large portion of playing time in valuable games (for example, Shaw was in the Oklahoma game when he got injured).

But what the Seminoles needed to do is stockpile the position. Devonta Freeman is already likely to be the next great running back in the ACC, so the air game must in turn continue to develop.

Dorial Green-Beckham would have been a nice addition to the Seminoles, whose recruit commitments have been declining over the past month. Considering Green-Beckham is a Top 5 wide receiver prospect, having him on the team would make competition for the starting position even more competitive.

4. Is There Anything Else That Comes to Mind?

The Seminoles are loaded. To even postulate that there is something missing is to deny all the talent Jimbo Fisher’s team already has. A returning 5-star quarterback in EJ Manuel helps. The offensive line ought to be better. Eighteen starters return from a team that fielded the best defense in the ACC.

And the schedule is easy enough.

If FSU does not get to at least 12 wins and capture an ACC Championship next year, then something is amiss. The Seminoles have the talent to become the powerhouse of the ACC yet again in 2012.

They just have to pull the trigger.