Florida State National Signing Day 2015: 5 Takeaways from Seminoles' Class

It's become routine at this point: Jimbo Fisher will compile one of the nation's top recruiting classes for the Florida State Seminoles, and the only question is how high it will rank.

For the sixth consecutive season, FSU's head coach signed a top-10 haul, and the 2015 cycle brought the country's No. 3 class to Tallahassee.

Though the Seminoles had a solid understanding of how their group would look after national signing day, Fisher and Co. still had a couple high-profile targets remaining on the board.

Florida State didn't bring in every prospect it wanted, but the 'Noles finished the most hectic Wednesday of every college football offseason in solid fashion.

Most of the Work Was Done

Credit: 247Sports

Jacques Patrick

Florida State's list of early enrollees is remarkable. The Seminoles already welcomed seven players to campus, including 5-stars Derwin James, Josh Sweat and George Campbell.

A pair of lower-ranked prospects—Jacques Patrick and Da'Vante Phillips—would highlight many other classes, while Calvin Brewton and De'Andre Johnson are superb takes.

As for the non-early enrollees, FSU didn't need to jump through hoops for Tarvarus McFadden and Abdul Bello, who were top-100 players set to sign without extra drama.

The excitement of a highly touted athlete committing to a particular school is real, but it's also relatively easy to enjoy the event when a class is almost completely wrapped up prior to signing day.

Quarterback Competition Is Alive

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De'Andre Johnson

As of last week, the Seminoles were prepared to sign three quarterbacks in the 2015 cycle.

However, Deondre Francois' Twitter was reportedly hacked, and a decommitment tweet was sent out. He addressed the matter shortly thereafter, but questions still lingered concerning his final decision. Plus, Kai Locksley flipped to Texas just two days before signing day.

Johnson suddenly looked like he could be the lone gunslinger, but Francois ultimately stuck with his pledge to Florida State, per Tom D'Angelo of The Palm Beach Post.

With a significant void left by 2013 Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston and no clear replacement, the 'Noles will have a deep, healthy battle for the starting position.

More NSD Losses Than Wins

Credit: 247Sports

Marcus Lewis

Florida State had six main targets remaining on signing day, but it only grabbed one.

Kentucky and rival Miami were the top schools remaining for 4-star Marcus Lewis leading up to signing day. Nevertheless, he surprised most recruiting followers and chose the late-arriving 'Noles, according to Brendan Sonnone of the Orlando Sentinel.

As noted by Corey Clark of the Tallahassee Democrat, Lewis would be the highest-rated recruit for 103 schools. That he was an afterthought for the Seminoles makes his commitment even more impressive.

However, defensive tackle Terry Beckner Jr. tabbed his hometown school Missouri, Byron Cowart picked Auburn, and CeCe Jefferson signed with rival Florida, per Andrew Spivey of Gator Country.

What's more, Iman Marshall stayed home at USC via Bleacher Report, while Shelton Johnson selected Michigan, according to Anthony Chiang of The Palm Beach Post.

Florida State has a respectable amount of talent on the D-line and wasn't a favorite to pull Marshall, but striking out on a host of premier talent is still disappointing.

Never Enough Receivers

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Auden Tate

In 2014, the Seminoles signed Ermon Lane and Travis Rudolph, and the elite receivers helped replace Kelvin Benjamin's production.

This year, Fisher brought in Campbell and Phillips, who are practically guaranteed to receive playing time as true freshmen since Rashad Greene graduated.

But unlike last season, when FSU only inked two wideouts, the 'Noles also snatched 4-star Auden Tate and 3-star Nyqwan Murray.

Barring an early declaration for the pros, Florida State won't lose any of its receivers after the 2015 campaign. Signing players suited to become key starters or rotational contributors one year in advance is a luxury the Seminoles have both earned and enjoyed.

Another Excellent Class

Credit: 247Sports

Francois, James and Patrick

Although star ratings don't mean everything, they're certainly not irrelevant.

From 2012 through 2014, the Seminoles signed nine 5-star prospects: Mario Edwards, Eddie Goldman, Jameis Winston, Ronald Darby, Chris Casher, Matthew Thomas, Jalen Ramsey, Dalvin Cook and Ermon Lane.

Though Casher and Thomas haven't quite met expectations, both players have eligibility left at FSU. In other words, they're not busts.

Plus, add the 4-stars—of which the 'Noles signed 10 this year—and factor in Fisher's ability to develop talent for his system, and the result is a perennial championship contender.

Not only does Florida State undeniably have one of the most talented programs in the nation, but the No. 3-rated 2015 class helps assure the Seminoles aren't leaving the national landscape anytime soon.

Note: Stats courtesy of CFBstats.com. Recruiting information via 247Sports.

Follow Bleacher Report college football writer David Kenyon on Twitter: @Kenyon19_BR.