Florida State Football: Players to Watch in High School All-American Games
Florida State's full attention is on the College Football Playoff, but there is also a heavy FSU influence on the annual high school all-star games this year. Both the U.S. Army All-America Bowl and Under Armour All-America Football Game feature multiple FSU verbal commitments and potential targets.
For Seminoles fans, here is a list of the players to watch in both games.
Derwin James
1 of 16
Competing in: Under Armour All-America Football Game
The crown jewel of Florida State's 2015 recruiting class, Derwin James is a 5-star prospect and the No. 1 safety in the nation. He is firmly committed to FSU and is expected to enroll in January.
Jacques Patrick
2 of 16
Competing in: Under Armour All-America Football Game
A 4-star prospect, Jacques Patrick is considered the third-best tailback in all of high school football. A solid FSU verbal commit, he will showcase his talents Jan. 2 on ESPN2 and give Seminoles fans a glimpse at what he will be bringing to Tallahassee next year—alongside Dalvin Cook, no less.
Deondre Francois
3 of 16
Competing in: Under Armour All-America Football Game
One of three verbal commitments at quarterback for FSU in the 2015 class, Deondre Francois is the highest rated of the trio. Francois attends IMG Academy in Orlando, Florida, where he is coached by former 'Noles Heisman Trophy winner and national champion, Chris Weinke.
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Abdul Bello
4 of 16
Competing in: Under Armour All-America Football Game
The highest-rated offensive lineman currently in Florida State's 2015 class, Abdul Bello is a big, physical tackle prospect set to join assistant coach Rick Trickett's crew.
De'Andre Johnson
5 of 16
Competing in: Under Armour All-America Football Game
A 3-star prospect and 13th-ranked dual-threat quarterback in the country, De'Andre Johnson is the 2014 recipient of the Mr. Florida Football Award, given annually to the top prep high school football player in the state.
Johnson has been verbally committed to Florida State since July 20, 2012.
George Campbell
6 of 16
Competing in: Under Armour All-America Football Game
A 6'3" and 183-pound pass-catcher, George Campbell is the highest-rated wide receiver currently verbally committed to play for Jimbo Fisher and the Seminoles. Campbell is a 5-star prospect and sixth-rated wide receiver, according to 247Sports.com.
Da'Vante Phillips
7 of 16
Competing in: Under Armour All-America Football Game
Like George Campbell, Da'Vante Phillips is a big-bodied, highly touted wide receiver prospect from the state of Florida. But unlike Campbell, Phillips is currently uncommitted. Considered to be a long-time lean to the Seminoles, he could potentially give FSU yet another athletic playmaker on offense in this class.
Phillips is a 4-star prospect and the No. 9-rated wide receiver in the country.
Byron Cowart
8 of 16
Competing in: Under Armour All-America Football Game
Byron Cowart is the nation's No. 1 strong-side defensive end prospect and is strongly considering Florida State. The 5-star prospect has his pick of any program in the country but will likely decide between FSU and Florida when it's time to sign.
Kai Locksley
9 of 16
Competing in: Under Armour All-America Football Game
The third of FSU's three quarterback commits competing in this game, Kai Locksley has actually been turning heads at Under Armour practices at wide receiver. While he is being recruited to play under center at Florida State, Locksley has the athletic ability to be an impact player at more than one position at the next level.
Iman Marshall
10 of 16
Competing in: Under Armour All-America Football Game
Another uncommitted 5-star prospect like Byron Cowart, Iman Marshall is the country's No. 1 overall cornerback prospect. He has long been considered a USC lean, but the Long Beach, California, native does have an official visit at Florida State on January 16, so the Seminoles are still in the mix.
Calvin Brewton
11 of 16
Competing in: Under Armour All-America Football Game
Calvin Brewton is a longtime verbal pledge to Florida State after committing to the Seminoles Jan. 8, 2014. According to 247Sports' composite rankings, he is considered the No. 15 overall safety in the 2015 class.
Sh'mar Kilby-Lane
12 of 16
Competing in: U.S. Army All-American Bowl
Verbally committed to FSU since Feb. 24, 2014, Sh'mar Kilby-Lane is the No. 16-rated outside linebacker in the 2015 class. He is one of two linebacker pledges in the Seminoles' recruiting class.
Johnny Frasier
13 of 16
Competing in: Under Armour All-America Football Game
Florida State currently has the best pair of committed running backs in the nation with Jacques Patrick and Johnny Frasier. But while Patrick is a solid pledge, Frasier is anything but a sure bet to remain tied to FSU. Frasier, the No. 6 overall running back in the 2015 class, is still committed to the 'Noles but has visits to Alabama and N.C. State in the month of January.
Can the Seminoles hang on?
Tarvarus McFadden
14 of 16
Competing in: U.S. Army All-American Bowl
Tarvarus McFadden is the nation's No. 4 overall cornerback prospect and has been committed to Florida State since Oct. 31, 2014. The 5-star recruit fits the mold of a prototypical cornerback with his 6'3", 198-pound frame.
Neville Gallimore
15 of 16
Competing in: U.S. Army All-American Bowl
One of the top remaining uncommitted prospects on Florida State's recruiting board, Neville Gallimore would fulfill a position of need for the Florida State defense. The 4-star prospect is a native of Canada and rated the No. 10 defensive tackle in the 2015 class.
CeCe Jefferson
16 of 16
Competing in: U.S. Army All-American Bowl
Florida State already has Josh Sweat committed and is heavily involved in uncommitted prospects Byron Cowart and CeCe Jefferson, who are some of the best pass-rushers in the nation in 2015. Could FSU snag all three?
Jefferson is another one to watch in these all-star games, as there's a chance that his next game could be played in garnet and gold.
Brandon Mellor is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Statistics are courtesy of Seminoles.com. All recruiting information is courtesy of 247Sports.
Follow @BrandonMellor on Twitter.
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