Jamal Couch Commits to Florida State: Will He Bring Two 4-Star Teammates With?

Florida State’s 2016 class received a major boost when 2016 3-star linebacker Jamal Couch committed to the Seminoles Monday evening via his Twitter account:

"

Verbally committing to the Florida State University#Seminoles #GoNoles pic.twitter.com/INd6kBh0TB

— Č6Agency™ (@couchjamal) March 10, 2015"

The 6’4”, 214-pounder from Central High School in Phenix City, Alabama, selected FSU over offers from Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky and Mississippi State, among others. 

Couch becomes the 11th member of the Seminoles' 2016 class and the fourth linebacker who has verbally committed to Jimbo Fisher and his staff.

But what is the impact of his commitment for FSU and its class?

For starters, Couch is a versatile player who could play inside or outside linebacker at the next level. 

It’s clear that Fisher and his defensive staff have targeted the linebacker segment as one of the main needs to fill in 2016.

According to Ourlads, the ‘Noles will bring back one junior and a pair of senior starters at linebacker next year. However, with the offseason transfer of E.J. Levenberry, FSU will need to hit a home run at linebacker in terms of quality and quantity in hopes of restocking the cupboard with talent in the middle level of its defense.

Couch adds to a haul that already includes 4-star Emmett Rice, 4-star Josh Brown and 4-star JUCO product Tyree Horton.

Couch is a terrific athlete who also plays tight end for his high school team. In fact, according to MaxPreps, Couch hauled in 17 passes for 434 yards and three touchdowns—which resulted in an average of nearly 26 yards per catch—last season.

Additionally, his commitment could help FSU out with a pair of his prep teammates who hold offers from the Seminoles—2016 4-star corner John Broussard and 2017 4-star linebacker Markail Benton. 

Both Broussard and Benton took to Twitter to chime in their thoughts on their teammate heading to Tallahassee, and the early returns seem to indicate positive vibes for the Seminoles' chances to pull off a potential package deal, per Chris Nee of Noles247.

Aside from linebacker, another position of emphasis for FSU in the current cycle is at corner. Broussard, who is the nation’s No. 6 corner and the No. 87 player overall in the 2016 cycle, would fill another major need should he join Couch. 

In order to make a move on Broussard, the ‘Noles will have to beat out a pair of SEC West powers that are currently in the lead for the 6’0”, 164-pounder.

“As of right now, Auburn and LSU are my co-leaders,” Broussard told Bleacher Report last month. 

Benton represents one of the elite talents in the 2017 class, and he is currently rated as the top rising junior in the state of Alabama. 

Although he was scheduled to join Couch at FSU’s junior day in late February, Benton didn’t make it to Tallahassee. However, he did mention the ‘Noles as a program that has grabbed his attention in the early stages of his recruitment. 

“They are just smooth,” Benton said of FSU. “They got good coaching. I just like the atmosphere.”

Landing Couch gives FSU another player who has great long-term potential at a position of need. His commitment is also a signal that the ‘Noles could become a bigger player for both Broussard and Benton than perhaps they were previously expected to be.

Sanjay Kirpalani is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes obtained firsthand and all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.