Florida State Football: 2015 Recruits 'Noles Need to Land

Florida State's recruiting class was already looking good. But the verbal commitments of 4-star tailback Jacques Patrick on Oct. 27 and 5-star cornerback Tarvarus McFadden on Oct. 31 puts the Seminoles and coach Jimbo Fisher in position to land the nation's No. 1 class in February.

"It was the kind of week that pushes an excellent recruiting class into elite territory," Bleacher Report recruiting analyst Tyler Donohue said. "Jimbo Fisher has this team recruiting at a much higher level than any team in Florida right now, capitalizing on a remarkable on-field stretch."

The Seminoles have 247Sports' No. 2 class behind Alabama thanks to the commitments by Patrick and McFadden.

Patrick, who is from Orlando, Florida, has three straight 2,000-yard seasons and is currently pushing toward a fourth. He is 6'1" and 230 pounds. A bruising downfield rusher who also has speed (4.5 in the 40).

"Patrick is a North-South battering ram," Donohue said.

McFadden is 6'3" and 200 pounds. A physical corner with the size to match up well with any receiver.

"He was impressive at The Opening this summer," Donohue said. "His size and skill set follows suit with how things are trending at cornerback in college and the NFL, though high school prospects like him are difficult to find." 

Here's a look at FSU's 20 verbal commitments for 2014 so far, according to 247Sports.com:

Quarterbacks: Deondre Francois, De'Andre Johnson, Kai Locksley

Running backs: Jacques Patrick, Johnny Frasier

Wide receivers: George Campbell, Auden Tate, Nyqwan Murray

Tight end: Jalen Wilkerson

Offensive linemen: Abdul Bello, Cole Minshew, David Robbins

Defensive linemen: D.J. Jones, Darvin Taylor

Linebackers: Sh'mar Kilby-Lane, Brian Bell

Defensive backs: McFadden, Derwin James, Calvin Brewton, A.J. Westbrook

Now, let's take a look at five recruits FSU would love to land in the next few months:

DE Josh Sweat

The nation's No. 1 recruit, Sweat has missed most of his senior season with a knee injury. But Sweat had 22 sacks as a junior and is a coveted prospect because of his athleticism, speed and pass-rushing ability.

Sweat is expected to announce his decision in early December, 247Sports reported.

"Sweat flashed freakish athleticism at The Opening and drew Jadeveon Clowney comparisons by running a sub-4.5 in 40-yard-dash testing," Donohue said.

247 Crystal Ball projection: Of the 35 predictions, 43 percent of analysts say Sweat is leaning toward FSU and 37 percent feel he will stay in-state and attend Virginia Tech. He is also considering Georgia, Ohio State and Tennessee.

OL Jalen Merrick

247 Sports

Jalen Merrick has camped at FSU and worked with Seminoles OL coach Rick Trickett.

The 4-star prospect is a strong run-blocker and likely projects as a guard in college. With FSU losing four senior starters on the offensive line, the Seminoles will need to replenish the roster in 2015.

"He's more evolved as a run-blocker at this stage of his development, but he possesses the reach and raw athleticism to become a capable pass protector," Donohue said.

247 Crystal Ball projection: Merrick is leaning heavily toward Florida, as 71 percent of the analysts think he will play in Gainesville. He is also considering Miami, FSU and Arkansas. 

WR Da'Vante Phillips

Phillips is 6'2" and 200 pounds, and an athletic, tough receiver. The 4-star prospect had 100 receptions and 22 touchdowns in his first three seasons of high school. FSU loses three seniors to graduation (Rashad Greene, Christian Green and Scooter Haggins), so the Seminoles need to add a few more receivers in 2015.

Phillips goes to Miami Central High, the same school as current FSU tailback Dalvin Cook. Donohue said Phillips is friends with Cook, which may help the Seminoles.

"The tenacious pass-catcher is a force downfield and fights for passes in traffic," Donohue said. "(He) would bring an edge of toughness to the Seminoles' receiving corps."

247 Crystal Ball projection: Phillips is projected to go to FSU by 100 percent of the 29 recruiting analysts.

DE Shelton Johnson

A 3-star prospect, Johnson is 6'5" and has room to fill out his 220-pound frame. Johnson could certainly become a disruptive force for FSU if he comes off the edge and would have a similar body type to current 6'7" freshman Lorenzo Featherston.

"Johnson is a quality high-ceiling pass-rusher who has been linked to Florida State for a while," Donohue said.

247 Crystal Ball projection: Nine analysts have all projected that Johnson will choose FSU.

DE Terry Beckner

Beckner had 118 tackles and nine sacks as a junior. At 6'4" and 293 pounds, he may project more as a tackle than an end. Either way, the St. Louis native is an elite talent with no real weakness.

"He is a scheme-diverse defender who is capable of playing various positions," Donohue said. "Beckner flashes grown-man strength and a relentless attitude."

247 Crystal Ball projection: Of the 36 analysts, 81 percent see Beckner choosing to stay close to home and go to Missouri. FSU will have a challenge to pull Beckner away from Missouri and Ohio State.

Bob Ferrante is the Florida State Lead Writer for Bleacher Report, all quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow Bob on Twitter. All recruiting information is courtesy of 247Sports.