Florida State Football: What We Learned from Jimbo Fisher's June Camp

With each passing year, more and more high school football prospects make the trip to Tallahassee, Florida, for Jimbo Fisher's summer football camp.

There's certainly a direct correlation between winning a national title in January and the increase in enrollment, as about 500 players spent time on the Florida State campus this week.

"I thought it went really well," Fisher said on Friday afternoon. "I thought our assistant coaches, I thought our players did a good job of running it and teaching. Whether you're a prospect or not, we teach everybody the same, want to make them better. Coach them just like our players—coach them hard, put them through the same drills.

"The camp has grown each year. It's gotten bigger and bigger."

FSU's success over the past four seasons under Fisher is one reason. The Seminoles are 45-10 since he took over before the 2010 season after Bobby Bowden was forced into retirement.

Fisher has found success by surrounding himself with good assistant coaches. Together, they have put together Scout.com's No. 8 signing class in 2010 along with 247Sports.com's No. 1 class in 2011, No. 3 class in 2012 and No. 12 class in 2013. FSU's 2014 class was ranked No. 4 by 247Sports.

That's three of the last four classes in the top five. Recruiting is the lifeblood of college football, and FSU's roster is deep.

Fisher and his staff welcomed a large number of 4- and 5-star prospects to campus from Wednesday through Friday, so let's take a look back at some things that we learned as FSU continues to build its 2015 class.

According to 247Sports, FSU currently has 13 verbal commitments.

Bob Ferrante (Bleacher Report)

Current FSU Players Embraced New Rule as Coaches

For the first time, the NCAA has allowed college football players to serve as coaches—and earn money—as they pass on what they've learned to high school players.

FSU players like wide receiver Rashad Greene, defensive backs P.J. Williams, Ronald Darby and Lamarcus Brutus, and offensive lineman Austin Barron were among those on the practice fields giving encouragement.

A few recent graduates, like defensive end Dan Hicks and offensive lineman Daniel Glauser, were there too.

It's one thing to learn from wide receivers coach Lawrence Dawsey. It's another to learn from Greene, who had 1,128 receiving yards and nine touchdowns last season.

"It's definitely been fun," Greene said. "Just to pass on your knowledge to younger kids and kids that actually want to be in the same position as you. That makes it more personal for them."

Just rubbing shoulders with current players helps coaches sell their program to recruits.

Phillips Weighing FSU and Miami

Da'Vante Phillips, a 4-star receiver from Miami Central (Florida), was one of the top uncommitted prospects at FSU's camp.

According to the Orlando Sentinel's Chris Hays, Phillips had been a verbal commitment to Florida. But with wide receivers coach Joker Phillips' resignation, Da'Vante Phillips (no relation) is apparently having second thoughts.

Phillips suggested he has no favorites, but FSU and Miami have shown the most interest. 

"I like Florida State. This is the one school I've been to the most. I've been here more than any school out there," Phillips said. "It really feels sorta like home up here. They show me the love."

He then said the following regarding Miami: 

"

If you're growing up rough, with struggles and everything, you don't want to stay in Miami. You want to get away from Miami, move your family from Miami, just to be in a better place. I like Miami, but that's just some of it. 

There's a lot of problems in Miami and I just don't want to be in those problems.

"

Bob Ferrante (Bleacher Report)

Another QB in the Mix

Fisher spent about 10-15 minutes working with quarterback Kai Locksley, a 4-star prospect from Gilman High School (Baltimore). Locksley displayed a strong arm and a willingness to learn from Fisher as well as quarterbacks coach Randy Sanders.

FSU already has a verbal commitment from 3-star quarterback De'Andre Johnson, but 247Sports analysts Chris Nee and Josh Newberg have both made Crystal Ball predictions (subscription required) that Locksley will join Johnson in Tallahassee as part of the 2015 class.

Fisher has signed two quarterbacks in the same class before, as Jameis Winston and Sean Maguire were both part of FSU's 2012 class.

Barnett Enjoys Visit to FSU

Michael Barnett, a 4-star defensive end from Woodland High School (South Carolina), visited with FSU this week. He told 247Sports' Ryan Bartow (subscription required) that he spent a lot of time talking and working out with FSU defensive ends coach Sal Sunseri.

"I think this is the nicest I've been treated on any of my visits," Barnett said. "They showed that they really want me. They also showed me that when you’re here you have to work your butt off to achieve that common goal."

Update: Barnett made a verbal commitment to FSU on Sunday, according to 247Sports.

Bob Ferrante is the Florida State Lead Writer for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes obtained firsthand and recruit information courtesy of 247Sports.com.

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