Florida State Football Recruiting: Meet the Seminoles' 2014 Class
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—And it's official.
Florida State welcomed its 2014 recruiting class on Wednesday, bringing in 26 players who have hopes of continuing the championship-winning ways in Tallahassee. Players who have been committed for the 'Noles finally had a chance to make it official, and those who kept the country waiting in anticipation have finally announced their next move.
“I’m just happy,” FSU head coach Jimbo Fisher said. “(The) day went about how we thought it would go. I think it’s maybe our most complete class that we’ve had."
"The thing in this class that stands out to me is the size. A lot of size, and length also,” Fisher said. “Not just massive as far as weight wise, but a lot of length—6-6, 6-7, 6-5 guys that cover a lot of space. I'm a size guy. I think it matters.”
Here is the list of players in full, complete with stats, rankings from 247Sports and more.
Florida State National Signing Day Grade
1 of 30The video above breaks down Florida State's entire class.
Dalvin Cook
2 of 30Height/Weight: 5'11", 190 lbs
Position/Ranking: 5-star RB, No. 2
High School: Miami Central
Senior Year Stats: 1940 rushing yards, 34 touchdowns
Other Finalists: UF, UM
Commit Date: December 31, 2013 (Early Enrollee)
Analysis
Cook, who already has a head start on his fellow 2014 recruits by enrolling at Florida State early, should fit in well in Tallahassee. With Devonta Freeman and James Wilder Jr. leaving early for the NFL, Cook will almost certainly receive playing time. He will more than likely split carries with projected starter Karlos Willams Sr., as long as Cook can beat out Ryan Green and Mario Pender.
Kain Daub
3 of 30
Height/Weight: 6'3", 234 lbs
Position/Ranking: 4-star ILB, No. 6
High School: Jacksonville Sandalwood
Other Finalists: Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Florida
Commit Date: April 6, 2013 (Early Enrollee)
Analysis
Daub is already built like a seasoned vet, so if his play can remain consistent, there's a chance that he could make some appearances in the fall. Last year, Matthew Thomas played despite his status as a freshman, as Jimbo Fisher maintains a policy of whoever is the best player, gets the most snaps.
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Trey Marshall
4 of 30
Height/Weight: 5'11", 196 lbs
Position/Ranking: 4-star S, No. 6 overall
High School: Columbia, Lake City, Fla.
Other Finalists: Arkansas, FIU, Florida, Georgia
Commit Date: July 3, 2013 (Early Enrollee)
Analysis
Though Marshall is talented, he enters Florida State at a position that is already full of talent. Odds are that he'll take a redshirt freshman year.
Ermon Lane
5 of 30Height/Weight: 6'2", 193 lbs
Position/Ranking: 4-star WR, No. 4
High School: Homestead, Fla.
Other Finalists: Miami, Florida
Commit Date: February 5, 2014
Analysis
As part of the worst kept secret of national signing day, Lane finally pulled the trigger on his FSU commitment by sending in his national letter of intent to Tallahassee. He is an instant-impact player who will definitely see time on the field come fall. With a 4.52 40-yard time and the talent to make a play on the ball, he has all the tools to be a top player at the college level.
Kareem Are
6 of 30
Height/Weight: 6'6", 335 lbs
High School: Fort Scott, Kan. (JUCO)
Other Finalists: Ole Miss, South Carolina, Penn State, Kansas State
Commit Date: December 18, 2013 (Early Enrollee)
Analysis
With plenty of experience coming back on the line, it'll be hard for Are to bust into the the starting lineup, but it isn't out of question that the No. 1 junior college offensive guard could get some playing time. He'll be in the rotation and be set up for a starting position in the future.
Stephen Gabbard
7 of 30
Height/Weight: 6'3", 220 lbs
Position/Ranking: 2-star LS, No. 3
High School: Amos P. Godby, Tallahassee, Fla.
Commit Date: June 15, 2013
Analysis
Gabbard is one of the most talented long snappers in the country; however, he enters a situation where Florida State already has an array of players at that position. It isn't probable that he plays in his first year as a Seminole.
Arthur Williams
8 of 30
Height/Weight: 6'4", 280 lbs
Position/Ranking: 3-star DT/OT, No. 37
High School: E E Smith, Fayetteville, N.C.
Other Finalists: East Carolina
Commit Date: October 22, 2013
Analysis
According to the Orlando Sentinel, Williams was almost left out of the class due to a faulty fax machine on the high school's end, but luckily the problems were fixed and he managed to get his national letter of intent in late Wednesday afternoon. He is a project for FSU and should expect to redshirt his first year.
JJ Cosentino
9 of 30
Height/Weight: 6'4", 223 lbs
Position/Ranking: 4-star pro-style QB, No. 16
High School: Central Catholic, Pittsburgh, Pa.
Other Finalists: Temple, Akron
Commit Date: March 18, 2013
Analysis
It's a bit obvious that Cosentino won't be playing in 2014, seeing as the reigning Heisman winner resides in a Seminoles uniform at the moment, so a redshirt makes the most sense. He'll be somebody to keep an eye on whenever Jameis Winston leaves school, when he'll battle for the starting position.
Lorenzo Featherston
10 of 30
Height/Weight: 6'7", 220 lbs
Position/Ranking: 4-star DE, No. 6
High School: Page, Greensboro, N.C.
Senior-Year Stats: 39 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, one forced fumble
Other Finalists: Florida, Clemson, Miami, Auburn
Commit Date: January 1, 2014
Analysis
Featherston is a project for Florida State. Although he has potential, it needs to be perfected, especially given the talent FSU already has. He should redshirt.
Rick Leonard
11 of 30
Height/Weight: 6'7", 260 lbs
Position/Ranking: 3-star DE, No. 21
High School: Middletown, Md.
Other Finalists: Arizona, Boston College, Maryland
Commit Date: August, 13, 2013
Analysis
Leonard, who can add a few more pounds, will more than likely redshirt his freshman year. He has the ability to grow into a consistent playmaker at defensive end, but with the talent in front of him, the coaching staff more than likely will redshirt the Maryland player.
Corey Martinez
12 of 30
Height/Weight: 6'4", 297 lbs
Position/Ranking: 3-star OG, No. 27
High School: Tampa Catholic, Fla.
Other Finalists: Alabama, Boston College, Connecticut
Commit Date: July 13, 2013
Analysis
Much like Kareem Are, Martinez will be a great asset in the future for the Seminoles. This year, due to depth, playing time shouldn't be anticipated his freshman year.
Derrick Kelly Jr.
13 of 30
Height/Weight: 6'5", 295 lbs
Position/Ranking: 4-star OL, No. 25
High School: East Gadsden, Havana, Fla.
Other Finalists: Florida, LSU
Commit Date: February 5, 2014
Analysis
Florida State has put together one of the top offensive line classes in the country, and Kelly is a big part of that. If any freshman lineman is to get playing time, it could be him, though it's expected that he'll be more of a rotational player.
Jonathan Vickers
14 of 30
Height/Weight: 5'11", 212 lbs
Position/Ranking: 3-star RB, No. 31
High School: North Florida Christian, Tallahassee, Fla.
Other Finalists: California
Commit Date: July 19, 2013
Analysis
With all the talent that Florida State has at running back already, it's hard to imagine a situation where Vickers could get touches this season. Next year, when Mario Pender and Karlos Williams are gone, he will be able to show what he has.
Adam Torres
15 of 30
Height/Weight: 6'4", 280 lbs
Position/Ranking: 3-star DT, No. 48
High School: Lake Mary, Fla.
Commit Date: July 7, 2013
Analysis
Torres shouldn't see any playing time right away, given the depth at the position for the Seminoles. He could be a potential contributor for FSU in a few years.
Malique Jackson
16 of 30
Height/Weight: 5'11", 170 lbs
Position/Ranking: 3-star ATH, No. 34
High School: Wayne County, Jesup, Ga.
Commit Date: June 15, 2013
Analysis
As an athlete, Jackson can play pretty much anywhere on the field that needs some speed, though with Kermit Whitfield and Karlos Williams taking back kicks, it'll be hard for him to crack the rotation.
Brock Ruble
17 of 30
Height/Weight: 6'8", 315 lbs
Position/Ranking: 3-star OT, No. 35
High School: DeMatha Catholic, Hyattsville, Md.
Other Finalists: NC State, Maryland
Commit Date: December 13, 2013
Analysis
I said before, and I'll say it again: FSU has one of its best offensive line classes in a while on its hands. Ruble is another key piece in building a strong line of defense for FSU's quarterback. He may not see playing time in 2014, but in the future, he'll be essential.
Jacob Pugh
18 of 30
Height/Weight: 6'4", 221 lbs
Position/Ranking: 3-star LB, No. 5 overall
High School: Amos P. Godby, Tallahassee, Fla.
Other Finalists: Alabama, Florida
Commit Date: May 29, 2013
Analysis
Pugh will be one of the big names in Florida State football in the future. He might get some burn in 2014 in blowouts, but in the future, he'll make an impact.
Travis Rudolph
19 of 30Height/Weight: 6'1", 185 lbs
Position/Ranking: 5-star WR, No. 2 overall
High School: Cardinal Newman, West Palm Beach, Fla.
Senior-Year Stats: 202 rushing yards, 1,237 receiving yards, 15 receiving touchdowns
Other Finalists: Alabama, Florida
Commit Date: January 2, 2014
Analysis
Rudolph is one of the biggest gets for FSU in the class; he's an instant-impact player who will help ease the losses of Kenny Shaw and Kelvin Benjamin to the NFL. He's speedy (runs a 4.52 40-yard dash) and can make a play when you need one. Expect him to play in 2014.
Derrick Nnadi
20 of 30
Height/Weight: 6'1", 305 lbs
Position/Ranking: 4-star DT, No. 8 overall
High School: Ocean Lakes, Virginia Beach, Va.
Other Finalists: Virginia Tech, Virginia, Penn State
Commit Date: February 5, 2014
Analysis
Nnadi was a welcome new addition on signing day, choosing the Seminoles on Wednesday. With FSU having plenty of talent already on the defensive line, don't expect him to get too much playing time, but he could make appearances in a few games next year.
Alec Eberle
21 of 30
Height/Weight: 6'4", 270 lbs
Position/Ranking: 3-star DT/OT, No. 6
High School: Atlee, Mechanicsville, Va.
Commit Date: May 1, 2013
Analysis
Eberle should be a contributor in the future, but for now, he'll head to Tallahassee to hone his talents. More than likely, he'll end up on the offensive line, since there's already more than enough talent on the defensive side.
Fredrick Jones
22 of 30
Height/Weight: 6'2", 285 lbs
Position/Ranking: 3-star DT, No. 81
High School: Miami Central, Fla.
Commit Date: July 20, 2013
Analysis
Jones, who is the son and nephew of former FSU players Fred and Marvin, respectively, has been committed to FSU for some time now. He shouldn't be expected to play his freshman year, but he has the potential to contribute in the future.
Roderick Johnson
23 of 30
Height/Weight: 6'6", 315 lbs
High School: Hazelwood Central, Florissant, Mo.
Commit Date: February 5, 2014
Analysis
Johnson is the crown jewel of FSU's stacked 2014 offensive line class; he's a behemoth who can play right away. With FSU's current depth, he shouldn't expect to compete for a starting position, but he could see time on the field.
Demarcus Christmas
24 of 30
Height/Weight: 6'4", 287 lbs
Position/Ranking: 4-star DT, No. 16
High School: Manatee, Bradenton, Fla.
Commit Date: October 1, 2012
Analysis
Christmas is a good grab for FSU, with Timmy Jernigan gone to the NFL and other defensive linemen set to leave in the coming years. He shouldn't see too much time but could make his way in during blowouts if he doesn't redshirt.
Chad Mavety
25 of 30
Height/Weight: 6'6", 320 lbs
Position/Ranking: 4-star OT, No. 2 (JUCO)
High School: Sparta, Garden City, N.Y. (JUCO)
Other Finalists: Ohio State
Commit Date: December 9, 2013
Analysis
Mavety is another huge JUCO signee for Florida State who makes the offensive line class that much better. He's one of the more likely signees to end up getting significant playing time, given that he already has experience at the college level, but it's more likely that he starts in 2015.
Mavin Saunders
26 of 30
Height/Weight: 6'6", 220 lbs
Position/Ranking: 4-star TE, No. 3
High School: The Kinkaid School, Houston, Texas
Other Finalists: Arkansas, Houston
Commit Date: June 15, 2013
Analysis
With Nick O'Leary leaving after this year, getting tight end depth is essential for Florida State, especially since Jimbo Fisher has a desire to start running two-tight end sets in the future. Saunders could see playing time with the two's.
Javon Harrison
27 of 30
Height/Weight: 6'1", 187 lbs
Position/Ranking: 4-star ATH, No. 20
High School: Kathleen, Lakeland, Fla.
Other Finalists: Flipped from Virginia Tech on signing day
Commit Date: February 5, 2014
Analysis
A late surprise for FSU came in the form of a flip from the athlete from Lakeland. He'll come in as a wide receiver for the Seminoles, though he can also play cornerback. There's a chance that Harrison could be used in the same way that other athletes like Kermit Whitfield have been used by FSU in the past.
Ryan Izzo
28 of 30
Height/Weight: 6'6", 220 lbs
Position/Ranking: 4-star TE, No. 9
High School: Pope John XVIII, Highland Lakes, N.J.
Commit Date: September 23, 2013
Analysis
Like Saunders, Izzo is another potential tight end of the future once O'Leary leaves. He's big enough to compete already, and he should, like Saunders, get rotated in during some games.
Delvin Purifoy
29 of 30
Height/Weight: 6'2", 230 lbs
Position/Ranking: 4-star ILB, No. 5
High School: Pensacola Catholic, Pensacola, Fla.
Other Finalists: Auburn, Kentucky, Ole Miss
Commit Date: January 3, 2013
Analysis
Another big linebacker get for FSU, Purifoy will provide more depth to an already stacked position group for the Seminoles.
Heat Map
30 of 30And here is Bleacher Report's Heat Map, showing the location of the top players in the country, with help from 247Sports.
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