Florida State Recruiting: Who Will Start, Who Will Get Lost in the Mix

Recruiting has become a phenomenon—or an epidemic depending on who you talk to about it.

If you ask fans, it’s the difference between their school playing for championships or beginning the search for their school’s next head coach. 

Last year, Florida State fans ached when they lost 5-star linebacker Tony Steward to Clemson.

Hours later, their sorrows faded when one of the nation’s top defensive tackles—Timmy Jernigan—spurned the Florida Gators and pledged to the ‘Noles. 

Jimbo Fisher and his staff are heading into the final hours before National Signing Day with a chance to make another run towards the top of the recruiting rankings. 

Last year’s class, which was billed as the nation’s best by ESPN, saw several studs come in and make an impact right away, even though the Seminoles returned a bevy of experienced players. 

The Seminoles are headed down the same path this season—with a loaded recruiting class and a roster is filled with experienced upperclassmen ready to make a run towards an ACC title. 

Jernigan was a trendy pick to make a splash—which he did—while Rashad Greene was an unlikely candidate to burst onto the scene in 2011.

So which incoming freshmen could stand out in 2012?  Who’s likely to get lost in a crowded depth chart? 

Find out inside.

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Cason Beatty: Start

Beatty is one of three prospects that have already gotten a head start on their collegiate careers by enrolling at FSU earlier this month.

While there are several prep All-Americans set to begin their careers in Tallahassee, none will be counted upon immediately to fill the shoes of an All-American. 

That is exactly the task facing Beatty, who must replace the nation’s leading punter Shawn Powell. 

In a class full of star power, Beatty may be most important to FSU’s title hopes in 2012. 

Markuss Eligwe: Start

The Seminoles are facing a depth issue at linebacker after losing Nigel Bradham to graduation and rising freshman Arrington Jenkins, who was dismissed after an off-field issue.

Right now, Eligwe, who is rated as a top-100 recruit nationally by Rivals and 247 Sports, is the ‘Noles only pledge at the position. 

As FSU fans saw last year, a rash of injuries at the wrong position can lead to freshmen playing, but, in Eligwe’s case, he’s also talented enough to make a push to get on the field early during fall camp.

Mario Pender: Start

Depending on what happens with the injury situation for last year’s starter at running back, Chris Thompson, Pender could be one of only three scholarship running backs for FSU this fall. 

Pender is a consensus top-100 recruit nationally, and the 6'0", 180-pounder is already enrolled at FSU, which means he could find his way onto the field like Devonta Freeman did last year. 

Pender averaged almost 12 yards per carry during his senior year and could add the dimension of having a home-run threat in FSU’s backfield. 

Daniel Glauser: Start

Glauser is the third and final early enrollee brought in by the Seminoles this season. 

Although FSU finished the season with four true freshmen going the distance in their bowl win over Notre Dame, Glauser was not recruited from the JUCO ranks to sit idle on the sidelines. 

Look for Glauser to compete for the starting job at left tackle and at the very least provide some much-needed depth and experience in the trenches.

Roberto Aguayo: Sit

Aguayo is rated as one of the nation’s top prep placekickers, but with returning senior Dustin Hopkins coming back to handle field goals and kickoffs, there is no chance for him to see the field. 

According to Corey Dowlar of Noles247.com, Aguayo will take a gray shirt—meaning he will not enroll until January 2013. 

Sean Maguire: Sit

Assuming the commitment of quarterback Jameis Winston sticks, the Seminoles will have six quarterbacks on scholarship in 2012. 

With four signal-callers with at least a year in the system ahead of him, plus the uber-talented Winston scheduled to arrive in Tallahassee with him, Maguire is a likely candidate for a redshirt year. 

Justin Shanks: Sit

Shanks is a talented defensive tackle and one of the first players to become part of FSU’s 2012 class.

Listing the U.S. Army All-American selection here is not meant to question his ability.

With the depth chart being stacked at that position, it will be hard for anyone to bust through like Jernigan did last season. 

Marvin Bracy: Sit

Like Shanks, listing Bracy here is nothing more than an educated guess due to a depth chart stocked with talent, depth and experience at his position. 

Keeping Bracy’s world-class speed off the field as a receiver or a return man will be tough, but the Seminoles return nearly every playmaker in those position groups. 

Still, putting an Under-Armour All-American on this list is risky, and he certainly has the ability to make an early impact on the collegiate level.