11 Recruits Who Could Join 5-Star S Derwin James at Florida State

Derwin James is a 5-star safety who has been committed to Florida State for two years. At 6'2" and 201 pounds, the Florida native is a physical player who has good vision and awareness.

James quickly reads plays, then attacks to make tackles. He's a future stud for the Seminoles, and many uncommitted 2015 recruits would be smart to align themselves with him. Florida State will surely build its 2015 class around James, who is sure to attract more talented recruits.

A pair of 5-star defensive linemen could join him in Tallahassee, while another big defensive back could be James' running mate with the 'Noles. There's also an athlete in Alabama who is looking hard at FSU.

All recruiting ratings and rankings are from 247Sports.

Player evaluations are based on review of tape at Scout.com, Rivals and 247Sports.

Ray-Ray McCloud III, RB/WR

Credit: 247Sports

Anyone who thinks 4-star athlete Ray-Ray McCloud III should play cornerback in college needs to watch him run with the ball. The Tampa native is electric, although he isn't very big at only 5'9" and 175 pounds.

However, McCloud has terrific quickness and speed. He bursts up the field when he sees a crease, and he also has the hands to play receiver. Florida, Florida State and Notre Dame are among his top schools, according to 247Sports.

Garrett Williams, TE

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Garrett Williams is not going maul too many defenders as a run-blocker. However, the 4-star tight end has the athleticism and ball skills to make a lot of plays in the intermediate passing game.

Williams, who is 6'4" and 220 pounds, has solid speed and quickness to detach from linebackers and safeties at junctions. He uses his long arms to pluck passes with his hands, and he could be a solid contributor on special teams.

Florida State and Clemson are his leaders, says 247Sports.

Christian Pellage, OT

Credit: 247Sports

Florida State will look to bring in more depth and talent at the offensive line position. Among its top targets is 4-star blocker Christian Pellage.

At 6'7" and 282 pounds, Pellage has fine athleticism and strength. When he locks and extends his arms at the point of attack, the Florida native has the length to keep defenders from getting under his pads.

Schools such as FSU, Florida, Miami and Georgia are in the mix, says 247Sports.

John Burt, WR

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Tallahassee Lincoln High School in Florida is one of the best high school programs in America. The school also has served as a pipeline for Florida State.

The latest great prospect from the school is 4-star receiver John Burt. At 6'3" and 170 pounds, Burt is a long-limbed pass-catcher with great speed. With improved strength and route-running, he could become a dynamic weapon for a college offense.

Texas leads Florida State and Auburn, according to 247Sports.

Johnny Frasier, RB

At 5'11" and 200 pounds, 4-star running back Johnny Frasier can do it all. He rushed for more than 3,000 yards and 45 touchdowns as a junior, per Scout.com. 

The North Carolina native can skate through alleys in a hurry, and he has the elusiveness to dodge defenders in space. Frasier also possesses solid strength to run through arm-tackles.

Florida State is his top school, says 247Sports.

Da'Vante Phillips, WR

Credit: 247Sports

Da'Vante Phillips is a 4-star receiver who welcomes press-man coverage. He feeds off of physical contact at the line, where he muscles his way up the field on the perimeter.

The 6'1.5", 197-pounder has solid athleticism, but it's his strong hands that allow him to haul in a lot of balls. Phillips can stab throws with his mitts in traffic, plus he runs with good strength and toughness after the catch.

It's between Florida State and Miami for him, according to 247Sports. 

Jacques Patrick, RB

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A big 4-star running back, Jacques Patrick would remind a lot of Florida State fans of former running backs James Wilder Jr. and Greg Jones.

At nearly 6'2", the 220-pounder is at his best when attacking defenses downhill. Patrick isn't going to waste a lot of time dancing around behind the line, and he presses holes well versus linebackers. He would add a lot of power and strength to the 'Noles' rushing attack.

Florida is FSU's main competition, per 247Sports.

Kerryon Johnson, ATH

Credit: 247Sports

Listed as an athlete, 4-star prospect Kerryon Johnson will play safety or running back in college. The Alabama native is a 6'0", 200-pounder who packs a punch at the point of attack.

Johnson works with a lot of functional strength, plus he's an athletic player. He has the speed to get by second-level defenders as a running back, and he has above-average ball skills as a safety.

Alabama, Auburn and Florida State are his core suitors, according to 247Sports.

Josh Sweat, DE

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He's not the strongest defensive end in the nation, but 5-star prospect Josh Sweat still is among the best. 

The Virginia native is an athletic speed-rusher who can bend around the pocket and surge to finish on the quarterback. At 6'5" and 230 pounds, Sweat has solid length and first-step quickness, plus he has the range to chase down running backs.

Florida State is among an elite group of schools after Sweat, per 247Sports.

Tarvarus McFadden, DB

Credit: 247Sports

Tarvarus McFadden is a 6'3", 198-pound defensive back with good strength and speed. He can work as a press-corner or sit on top of a defense as a free safety.

McFadden moves impressively for a defensive back of his size, and he hustles to stick with quick receivers. Finally, he has excellent vision and ball skills to attack passes.

Florida State is his leader, according to a report by Michael Langston of Warchant.com (subscription required).

Woody Wommack of Rivals.com (subscription required) wrote on Feb. 22:

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When it comes to his options, McFadden said potentially committing to the defending national champions is great, but he's more concerned about future playing time and his own ability to win titles. 

"

Trent Thompson, DT

Credit: 247Sports

The top player on Florida State's recruiting board could very well be Trent Thompson, a 5-star defensive tackle from Georgia.

The Seminoles have had several outstanding defensive linemen come through their program, and Thompson would have a chance to be a star in Tallahassee. The 6'4", 292-pounder has excellent first-step quickness at the snap, plus he possesses good strength to fight his way through the line of scrimmage to make plays.

Georgia and Florida State are among his top schools, according to 247Sports.

Edwin Weathersby is the College Football Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. He has worked in scouting/player personnel departments for three professional football teams, including the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns.