Mario Edwards: How the Nation's Top Recruit Will Help Florida State's 2012 Class

Mario Edwards is the prize gem of the 2012 recruiting class. The 6'4", 270-pound defensive end is the top rated recruit according ESPN. The Texas native has chosen Florida State over his hometown state, choosing to follow in his father's footsteps.

Mario Edwards Sr. played defensive back for Florida State back in the 1990s and the program impressed Edwards Jr. enough to pull the trigger back in March.

Edwards isn't the only top recruit in the 'Noles 2012 class. Fellow defensive ends Chris Casher and Dante Fowler Jr. have pledged a verbal commit. Others include running back Mario Pender, linebacker Ukeme Eligwe, defensive back P.J. Williams and offensive lineman Alphonse Taylor—all rated in ESPN's top 150 recruits.

What's interesting though is that Casher and Fowler Jr. were already committed before Edwards. Does that mean that Edwards wants to play alongside two other disruptive defensive ends? Or does that mean he wants to be part of possibly the greatest defensive line in FSU history? Those three recruits have the makings for it.

Usually when a top player chooses his class, other top recruits seem to follow. Edwards is by far the cream of the crop for this stellar class, but can he do more for it?

Last season, top recruit Karlos Williams did everything he could to get other top-notch talent to Florida State and he did a great job helping the class be the top rated.

Can Edwards have the same impact?

I believe he can. Florida State has plenty of other targets that are high on prospect lists.

Dorial Green-Beckham is the nation's top wide receiver and also the top recruit according the Rivals. D.J. Humphries is the top rated offensive lineman. Eddie Goldman, the top rated defensive tackle. John Theus, another top ranked offensive lineman. Stefon Diggs, wide receiver. Nelson Agholor, athlete. Andrus Peat, offensive lineman and Landon Collins, defensive back.

All of these prospects are highly ranked on many recruiting outlets. Will they follow Edwards to Florida State? Can he be as persuasive as Williams was a year ago?

If even half of those guys just mentioned were to commit, that would be enough to give Florida State the top class two years in a row and it would give Jimbo Fisher even more talent to work with.

Edwards is the best recruit out there and if he can get players to follow him, Florida State will be well on its way to a National Championship.