Florida State Recruiting: 5 Positions the Seminoles Can Get Away Without Filling

Florida State is preparing to make their annual run towards the top of the recruiting rankings, and they are off to a good start in filling their needs. 

This season, the top priority for FSU is likely defensive end—where they have already locked up three of the country’s best pass-rushers. 

Coming off of last year’s stellar group, the Seminoles are starting to stack the roster to the levels they enjoyed in their dynasty years. 

However, the embarrassment of riches at certain positions means that Jimbo Fisher and his staff can concentrate on specific recruits where they are loaded, and go all out for the kids who fill their immediate needs. 

Here are five positions the ‘Noles can get away without filling in the 2012 class.

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Wide Receiver

Florida State only loses one wide receiver—Bert Reed—from a group loaded with depth, experience and a star in the making in rising sophomore Rashad Greene. 

The Seminoles bring back six of their top seven receivers from last year’s unit, plus get 2010 starter Willie Haulstead back from an injury that forced him to sit out last season. 

Still, the Seminoles have nabbed commitments from Orlando (Fla.) Boone speed demon Marvin Bracy, and recently flipped Auburn verbal in Miami Beach receiver Ricardo Louis.

The pair of Under Armour All-Americans will bolster a unit that is already one of the nation’s best pass-catching groups.  

Defensive Tackle

Freshman All-American Timmy Jernigan leads a unit that returns all eight scholarship defensive tackles, including a pair of senior starters in Everette Dawkins and Anthony McCloud. 

The ‘Noles redshirted a pair of defensive tackles—Derrick Mitchell and Nile Lawrence-Stample—from last year’s class, but that has not stopped defensive line coach Odell Haggins from adding to his stable in this recruiting cycle. 

FSU has a pair of commitments in DeFuniak Springs (Fla.) Walton run-stuffer Dalvon Stuckey and Prattville (Ala.) U.S. Army All-American Justin Shanks. 

In addition, the ‘Noles are in solid position with the nation’s top-rated defensive tackle—Washington (D.C.) Friendship Academy’s Eddie Goldman—who will decide on national signing day.

Safety

Terrance Parks is the lone safety to depart Tallahassee this season, but with rising juniors Lamarcus Joyner and Terrence Brooks manning the back end, FSU is still in great shape. 

At least the coaches must feel that way, because that is the only way the rumors of 2011 mega-recruit Karlos Williams switching to offense would make sense. 

2010 starter Nick Moody will likely battle for playing time, with several members from last year’s class waiting in the wings after a year of seasoning on the collegiate level. 

Ocala (Fla.) Vanguard defensive back P.J. Williams is a versatile athlete that is capable of playing either corner or safety.

Kicker

With Lou Groza Award finalist Dustin Hopkins returning for his senior season, the Seminoles will once again have one of the nation’s finest kickers to lean on as a scoring weapon. 

Hopkins has added value because his powerful leg is responsible for pinning opponents deep on kickoffs.

In a class limited on the number of scholarships available, it is not necessary for Fisher to sign a kicker in this cycle.

Perhaps in a sign of the emphasis FSU places on special teams, Fisher secured commits from Groveland (Fla.) South Lake placekicker Roberto Aguayo and Charlotte (N.C.) Olympic punter Cason Beatty.  

Fullback

Similar to the kicking situation, the Seminoles will bring back an integral piece of their offense in senior fullback Lonnie Pryor. 

With Pryor being a dependable ball-carrier, blocker and a receiver since his freshman season, backups Debrale Smiley and Chad Abram will likely be used sparingly. 

The Seminoles also may have signed Pryor’s eventual replacement, redshirt freshman Eric Beverly, in last year’s class. 

The Seminoles do not have a fullback pledge thus far, and are not expected to sign any fullbacks in 2012.