Florida State Football Recruiting: James Wilder Jr. & 10 Top Offensive Recruits

Florida State is having a great winter and will land one of the top recruiting classes in the country. Some players are yet to sign, but so far, 25 players have decided that they will suit up for Jimbo Fisher and the Seminoles next season.

The Seminoles anxiously await the decision of QB Jacoby Brissett who could make this offensive class even better but for now, lets rank the offensive players that have committed to Florida State already and some that intend to commit to Florida State before the day is over.

For more National Signing Day Coverage at Bleacher Report, go to
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/591689-national-signing-day-2011-tracking-where-the-top-100-recruits-sign )

10. Eric Beverly, RB

Florida State landed three top 15 running backs this year, with Beverly being the third best out of the three.  At 5'9 210 lbs. Beverly has the speed to run outside and the power to run inside. 

Beverly is the type of running back that fits the scheme at Florida State due to his versatility at being able to both run and catch the ball.  Beverly also has very good balance and vision, which should help him succeed.

Beverly may not end up as a featured back at Florida State, but could very well end up as a very good third down back and could make an impact on special teams.

In high school, Beverly recorded 5.87 yards per carry with 20 touchdowns and ran for over 1500 yards, and finished high school ranked as the 11th best running back in the country.

9. Jordan Prestwood, OL

Prestwood is a 6'6 280 lbs offensive lineman that is one of many offensive lineman that the Seminoles were able to land in this year's class.

Prestwood is entering FSU as the 28th best lineman in this year's class.  He is very quick off the snap and seems to have a lot of power, as well, expect Prestwood to fit in well at RT for FSU.

Prestwood should provide depth on this offensive line for the next four years and help solidify a position of need for Florida State.

8. Sterling Lovelady, OL

At 6'2 283 lbs, Lovelady was a very versitile lineman in high school.  He played every position on the offensive line and will likely end up as a center at Florida State as he was the seventh best center in the class of 2011.

As a center, Lovelady will be the captain of the offensive line and will need to prove his leadership abilities.  He likely will get the chance to start as a freshman, as Ryan McMahon has graduated. and could anchor the offensive line for the next few seasons.

7. Bobby Hart, OL

The third lineman mentioned already, you can see that Jimbo Fisher definitely planned to beef up his lines.  Hart is 6'4 283 lbs and was considered to be one of the top 35 players in the country.

Hart has the most upside of all the lineman that Florida State brought in and comes in ranked as the sixth best tackle.

Hart is currently a very good run blocker, as he uses his strength and his body to drive defenders back.  Hart's only weakness at this point is his pass blocking, he needs to work on his footing, but with help from the FSU coaching staff the sky is the limit for Hart.

By 2013, I expect to see Hart lined up on the left side of the line.

6. Jacob Fahrenkrug, OL

By this point, you are probably getting tired of seeing offensive lineman, but Fahrenkrug is the best of the best. 

Fahrenkrug is a junior college transfer, who was considered the top offensive line prospect coming out of JUCO this season.

With Florida State hoping to use Hart and Prestwood at offensive tackle, and Lovelady at center, the Seminoles will hope that Fahrenkrug can help solidify the interior of the line.

Considering that Jumbo Fisher flew all the way to North Dakota to visit (and Fisher rarely leaves the southeast), we have to assume that Fahrenkrug will be a starter at guard from day one.

5. Devonta Freeman, RB

Many people think Devonta Freeman is the best running back in the state of Florida, but he did not as much attention as Beverly or James Wilder. 

Freeman is a confident runner that expects to win a starting job when he lands in Tallahassee, he is both strong and powerful but only has one year of being a starting running back under his watch.

If Freeman can endure the punishment of a college season it is possible he ends up being the starting running back over Wilder within the next couple of seasons.

After only receiving 70 carries in his junior year, Freeman cleared the 2,200 yard mark and had over 26 touchdowns in his senior year.  Averaging 8.5 yards per carry during the campaign Freeman was referred to by many on the recruiting trail as the "Silent Assassin," since many people hadn't heard of him before the 2010 season.

4. Rashad Greene, WR

Greene is a very explosive receiver that is going to be quick out of the gates at FSU.  He will make an immediate impact with his speed but will need to bulk up before he is able to last in a BCS conference.

Greene is a slim 170 lbs. and will likely be the speed receiver in Jumbo Fisher's offense but should look to add some muscle to his frame if he wants to run routes over the middle.

If you are looking for a receiver to hit the big play, Rashad Greeene fits the bill.

Greene only had 356 yard receiving this past year to go along with six touchdowns.  However, Greene was in a run first offense and averaged 17.80 yards per catch, so if you're looking for the big play, look Greene's way.

3. James Wilder Jr., RB

As I mentioned previously, Wilder was the running back that got most of the hype when he signed with Florida State.  Wilder is one of the elite talents coming out of this years class and many people expect big things from him in Tallahassee. 

When Florida State signed Wilder, many people started mentioning FSU as a big-time recruiter again and comparing the 2011 class to a class that you would have seen in the mid-90s.

Coming out of high school, many considered Wilder's best potential to be on the defensive side of the ball, but Wilder was insistent on playing running back, and FSU will give him every opportunity to do that.

In Wilder's senior season he rushed for over 1500 yards on 193 carries with 21 touchdowns.  In Wilder's final high school game he tallied 235 yards and five touchdowns.

Based on his high school performances, expect Wilder to fill in very well as the starting running back spot by the end of the 2013 season.

2. Kelvin Benjamin, WR

At 6.6' 210 lbs. there isn't much to say about Kelvin Benjamin except that he is an exceptional talent.  Definitely not the fastest guy to line up at receiver, but he has great hands and great size, which should translate to a very good possession receiver.

With Greene lined up opposite of Benjamin he won't need to beat people with his speed, he can use his size and should be a great red zone target for the Seminoles.

Recording over 800 yards receiving and five touchdowns in his senior season of high school, expect bigger things as Jimbo Fisher knows how to utilize receivers in the passing game.  Fisher will identify the strenght and weaknesses of Benjamin and play off of his talents to make him successful.

1. Nick O'Leary, TE

With tight ends playing a more predominant role in football these days, O'Leary is a very good signing for the Seminoles.

O'Leary considered to be one of the top two tight ends in the country and will definitely help out the FSU passing game. 

O'Leary might not be the best blocking tight end, but you can get lower end recruits to do the blocking.  O'Leary has the best set of hands of any tight end in this class and will make a huge impact right away.

Finding premier tight ends is more difficult than landing one or two good running backs or receivers, thus the reason that O'Leary makes the top spot on this list.

The reason O'Learn hits the top spot here is due to the fact that it has been a long time since Florida State had a premier tight end, as they did not have a single tight end catch more than 20 passes last season.

O'Leary will change that giving them instant credibility from day one at the tight end spot, expect O'Leary to start early in his career and become a game changer for the Seminoles.