FSU Football Recruiting: Predicting All the Recruits Who Will Sign on NSD
Florida State will finish with one of the top classes in the 2015 recruiting cycle, and national signing day on Wednesday will give the Seminoles the chance to not only finalize their signees but potentially add a few more highly touted uncommitted prospects.
Let's take a look at the predicted class for the Seminoles.
Quarterback
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Predicted Signees:
- Deondre Francois
- De’Andre Johnson
Many have wondered whether Florida State would be able to keep all three of its quarterback commitments once the dust settles on national signing day. When it is all said and done, Kai Locksley will be the one to break free from the trio and sign elsewhere.
Locksley recently hosted Jimbo Fisher and Randy Sanders for an in-home visit, but I don’t think the FSU coaches’ trip to Maryland was enough to hold off surging Texas and head coach Charlie Strong, who have been able to pitch to Locksley that the Longhorns need quarterback help and he’s the only signal-caller in their 2015 class.
Even if Locksley elects to switch to Texas, the Seminoles welcome in two of the nation’s top quarterback prospects in Francois and Johnson—not bad.
UPDATE: On Feb. 2, Locksley announced his commitment to Texas on Twitter.
Running Back
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Predicted Signees:
- Jacques Patrick
It looked like Florida State was in position to swing former Miami verbal pledge Jordan Scarlett when the 4-star tailback decommitted from the Hurricanes while on an official visit to FSU last weekend.
But in a televised decision Monday evening, Scarlett committed to Florida and has plans to sign with the Gators on national signing day.
Scarlett would have been a nice addition to the ‘Noles running back corps, but his decision to sign with rival Florida doesn’t decimate the depth chart. FSU still has returning superstar Dalvin Cook, as well as Mario Pender, Ryan Green and Jay Vickers while welcoming 4-star early enrollee Jacques Patrick.
Again, not bad.
Wide Receiver
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Predicted Signees:
- Da’Vante Phillips
- George Campbell
- Auden Tate
- Nyqwan Murray
National signing day 2015 won’t feature much drama when it comes to wide receivers for FSU.
Highly touted prospects Da’Vante Phillips and George Campbell are already enrolled in classes in Tallahassee, and Auden Tate and Nyqwan Murray are solid commitments who are virtual locks to sign their names on the dotted line in favor of the Seminoles on Wednesday.
This is an impressive class of receivers for FSU.
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Tight End
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Predicted Signees:
- Jalen Wilkerson
Florida State will welcome one tight end to Tallahassee this year after signing two a season ago.
Wilkerson gives the ‘Noles one more talented prospect to plug into the rotation as the team searches for Nick O’Leary’s replacement.
Offensive Line
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Predicted Signees:
- Abdul Bello
- Cole Minshew
- David Robbins
FSU loaded up with a huge—literally and figuratively—offensive line class in 2014, and this year brings in three stellar signees at the position.
Bello, Minshew and Robbins have long been solid commitments to FSU, and the Seminoles’ offensive line recruiting efforts aren’t focusing on any other prospects come signing day.
Defensive Backs
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Predicted Signees:
- Derwin James
- Tarvarus McFadden
- A.J. Westbrook
- Calvin Brewton
Bad news, FSU fans: The Seminoles won't get either of the 5-star studs at defensive back the coaches are hopeful they can snag on signing day.
Minkah Fitzpatrick has been a longtime verbal Alabama pledge, and despite swirling rumors that he is a candidate to flip to FSU on signing day, per AL.com's Wesley Sinor, I just don’t see Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban getting burned—although, if anyone is capable of pulling off such a switch, it’s his former offensive coordinator, Jimbo Fisher.
Florida State also won't able pry Iman Marshall out of California. Instead, the 5-star stays on the West Coast and signs with USC.
FSU’s consolation for missing out on two 5-star players? Early-enrollee 5-star safety Derwin James, 5-star cornerback Tarvarus McFadden and talented prospects A.J. Westbrook and Calvin Brewton.
The ‘Noles will be just fine with that quartet of playmakers.
Defensive Line
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Predicted Signees:
- Josh Sweat
- Darvin Taylor
- Terry Beckner Jr.
- Shelton Johnson
While I am not as optimistic about Florida State’s chances at defensive back, I do think FSU gets one uncommitted big fish on national signing day in the form of 5-star defensive tackle Terry Beckner Jr.
With Tim Brewster leading the recruiting charge and Odell Haggins set to become his mentor, Beckner can’t say no to that combination—even if the “home” program, Missouri, pulled out all the stops on his official recruiting visit last weekend.
In addition to Beckner, FSU should close with a commitment and consequent signing by defensive end Shelton Johnson to round out a class that also features 4-star Darvin Taylor and 5-star Josh Sweat, who is already enrolled in classes.
Linebacker
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Predicted Signees:
- Sh’Mar Kilby-Lane
- Lorenzo Phillips
- Brian Bell
Florida State is set at linebacker—a major position of need entering the 2015 season—with the solid commitments of Sh’Mar Kilby-Lane, Brian Bell and Lorenzo Phillips.
A junior-college transfer, Phillips could step in and potentially start right away at FSU.
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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