Florida State Recruiting: Profiling Seminoles' Newest 2014 Commit Joseph Yearby

Florida State’s 2013 class lost a commit last week, but that blow was softened considerably with the pledge of one of the state of Florida’s top running backs for the 2014 class. 

Joseph Yearby, a 5’9”, 190-pounder from Miami’s Central High School, pulled the trigger becoming the Seminoles' second commitment (Immokalee wide receiver J.C. Jackson is the other verbal) for 2014. 

To classify this as a huge get for Jimbo Fisher may be understating it, considering Yearby may be the best back in the Sunshine State despite the fact he will only be a junior this fall. 

A monster sophomore season helped him make a compelling case for that honor, as he was named the 247 Sports Sophomore of the Year after rushing for 2,160 yards and 24 touchdowns last season—the best total ever by a sophomore in historically talent-laden Dade County in South Florida.

Yearby could be one of the top running backs in the nation for next season, and therefore an early candidate to be deemed a 5-star (Rivals has named him a 4-star in its initial 2014 rankings). 

By the time Yearby arrives in Tallahassee, he may find himself in a familiar position—succeeding former high-school teammate and current Seminoles running back Devonta Freeman. 

A year after Freeman fueled Central to its first state title in school history, Yearby propelled the Rockets to 13 straight victories until they fell to Armwood 40-31 in the state title game. 

Yearby selected the Seminoles over offers from Alabama, West Virginia, and in-state rivals Florida and Miami.

While his commitment likely will not stop some of the nation’s top programs from trying to lure him away from FSU, his relationships with Freeman and Seminoles running backs coach Eddie Gran will help ensure his early pledge sticks. 

Considering he will be one of the Sunshine State’s top prospects for the class of 2014, an impact player like Yearby could be exactly what the Seminoles need to jump-start another run at a top five class.

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