Florida State Football: 5 Biggest Recruiting Commit Busts in Recent History

Florida State has been recruiting as well as any school in the country recently, but they still have seen some of their top recruits not reach their estimated potential. 

When these players arrived on campus, they brought optimism to a fanbase that was desperate to become a national power again. Unfortunately for the all those involved, these players were unable to restore FSU as a dominant national power. 

There is a lot to look forward to in 2012 for FSU football. For now, though, let's look back at some Seminoles that didn't pan out. 

Jeff Luc

In 2010, Jeff Luc was the top-ranked inside linebacker by many ranking services. So, as you would expect, he was recruited by all the top schools in the country.

When Luc chose the Seminoles, it was viewed as a major victory for Coach Jimbo Fisher and his staff. With his explosiveness and power, Luc was supposed to be a part of the group that returned the FSU defense to the dominance that the unit showed in the 1990s. 

FSU's defense is once again poised to be one of the nation's best in 2012. However, this has little to do with the play of Luc.

After this year's spring game, it was announced that Luc would transfer from FSU, thus ending his once promising career as a Seminole.

Luc will be leaving Tallahassee with only 23 tackles in 19 games.

Christian Jones, who was also in FSU's 2010 recruiting class, will take the place of Nigel Bradham at strong-side linebacker while Luc searches for his next opportunity.

Brandon Paul

Brandon Paul was an athlete who could have played either wide receiver or cornerback. As it turned out, though, he was never a contributor at either position while at FSU.

Paul was a 4-star cornerback according to Rivals, who also had him ranked as the 14th-best corner in the class of 2007. 

During his freshman season, Paul changed positions from wide receiver to running back. 

Paul, who was a Tallahassee product, as he went to a local high school, played a small role and left the team during the 2008 season.

During that 2008 season, Paul was used as a half-back who ran the ball twice for four yards. This would turn out to be all that he would contribute on the field for the Seminoles. 

Once thought of to be an explosive and dynamic weapon, Paul left FSU without ever breaking open a game. 

JaJuan Harley

JaJuan Harley was a physical wonder at the safety position. Coming out of high school, Harley was ranked as the 12th-best safety in the class of 2009. 

Harley ran a 4.3 40-yard dash and could bench press 400 pounds. His combination of speed and size was out of this world. 

Some thought that Hardy was just a workout warrior, a point easily reinforced by his lack of playing time. 

Ultimately, Harley's only contributions at FSU were on special teams. He played on the coverage teams and returned three kickoffs. 

He chose to transfer to Middle Tennessee in December 2010. 

Damon McDaniel

Damon McDaniel was a 4-star recruit according to Scout.com, who had him ranked as the 29th best receiver in the 2006 draft class. 

McDaniel originally committed to the Florida Gators before changing his mind and signing with the Seminoles.

He had very little success at FSU, catching only seven passes in two seasons. Although, he, as well as the rest of the team's receivers, may have struggled due to inconsistent quarterback play.

McDaniel asked to be released from his scholarship after the 2008 season. He wound up enrolling and playing Hampton, where he had 19 receptions for 372 yards and found the end zone three times.

McDaniel went to high school with current Minnesota Viking wide receiver Percy Harvin. It is safe to say that Harvin, who won two national championships at Florida and was drafted in the first round, has had a more successful career than McDaniel. 

Nigel Carr

Nigel Carr came to FSU as a 4-star recruit and the sixth-ranked inside linebacker, according to Rivals. 

Carr was a solid player while he was in Tallahassee, but his career at FSU was brought to an early end due to legal issues. 

Carr makes this list because, if he had stayed out of trouble, he could have contributed heavily to the FSU defense.

After being released from his scholarship by FSU, he transferred to Alabama State.

If Carr had stayed out of trouble, he could have joined the ranks of Dekoda Watson and Nigel Bradham among FSU linebackers to be drafted into the NFL.