Florida State Football: Recruiting Picking Up Steam

Jimbo Fisher and his Florida State Seminoles have endured a roller coaster of a season to this point.  

Throughout the rash of injuries that plagued the ‘Noles after the Oklahoma game, the main bright spot was how the true freshman that were forced into action responded to their first taste of big-time college football. 

Last year’s star-studded recruiting class has already paid dividends on the field, and may help even more with their efforts to attract the top prep stars of 2012 and beyond. 

By playing the likes of Devonta Freeman, Rashad Greene and Nick O’Leary amongst others, recruits across the nation have taken notice, and judging by the ‘Noles commitment list, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.

After a shocking 2-3 start to the season, conflicting reports surfaced that a pair of the key members of the 2012 class, defensive end Mario Edwards, Jr. and quarterback Jameis Winston, were reconsidering their pledges to FSU. 

Fast-forward almost a month later and after posting their fifth consecutive win, a 23-19 victory over in-state rival Miami, FSU has regained the momentum they had entering the season as one of the nation’s premier destinations for top flight recruits.

Sitting at 15 commitments thus far, most of them coming before the season started, the ‘Noles 2012 class is well rounded with quality and quantity at positions of need. 

The Seminoles lost only one commitment (defensive tackle James Hamilton flipped to South Florida), and while Edwards and Winston may still take visits, the odds of them signing with FSU look a lot better than they did a little over a month ago. 

Their 2012 class is currently rated among the top five (third by Rivals, fourth by 247 sports, second by ESPN) in the nation by most recruiting services, and they still have a chance to ascend even higher if they can fill out the last few spots with some big fish they are in the running for.

FSU is in the final group for Washington (D.C.) Friendship Collegiate Academy defensive tackle Eddie Goldman, Miramar, Fla. defensive back Tracy Howard and Tempe, Ari. Corona del Sol offensive tackle Andrus Peat. 

Howard, who will make his college choice in January’s U.S. Army All-American game, was in attendance for the ‘Noles victory over Miami and is likely to come down to an in-state battle between FSU and Florida for his signature. 
 
Goldman has been enamored with the Seminoles ever since he took an official visit to FSU on Sept. 17 for their clash against the Sooners, and should he choose FSU, he would give them an embarrassment of riches in an already loaded defensive line class. 

Regardless of how they finish, the Seminoles have established their relentlessness on the recruiting trail.

Judging by their results on and off the field, they have no signs of slowing down anytime soon