FSU Football: 4 Players We'd Like To See Come Back Regardless of Bowl Outcome

With the Champs Sports Bowl against Notre Dame less than two weeks away, there are many things on the wish list for this offseason.

Though the Seminoles could not live up the Top Five preseason billing, they are likely to bring in a top-notch recruiting class that will only add to the depth. 

However, there are a few studs who could play on Sundays sooner than later and the hope is that all of them will be returning for the 2012 season.

The following four players have flashed brilliance throughout their early careers and Tallahassee would want nothing more for Christmas than to have them all back for one more season.

Brandon Jenkins

Brandon Jenkins was a preseason All-American for a few publications back in the summer and he ended up just cracking Second-Team All-ACC.

The Seminoles defense was rated second against the run and seventh in total yards allowed. However, they had zero players garner any All-American attention or even First-Team All-ACC.

Throw in the fact that Seminole Nation wants to badly appear in a BCS bowl and become national contenders, hopefully that alone will be enough for Jenkins to come back.

He remains one of the best pass-rushers in the country and if he were to come back he very well may be a first-round draft pick in 2013.

Greg Reid

Greg Reid is one of the most explosive punt returners in the country and he has turned into a solid cover corner.

Reid may have been the third-best corner on the team going into the season, but he seemingly has turned the corner (no pun intended) into becoming a potential future NFL star.

However, the fans of Garnet and Gold really hope that "G5" will stay for one more season.

If the electric junior returns next season he would anchor one of the most talented secondaries in the nation. Not only is he an electric player filled with energy, but he seems to give this program the glitz, glamour and the swagger to return to BCS title contention.

Xavier Rhodes

Xavier Rhodes could declare for the NFL draft on account he is a redshirt sophomore. Rhodes will get some looks from scouts in the Champs Sports Bowl, but he is arguably the likeliest of players to stay put on this list.

Rhodes could leave early next season perhaps, but he is still has room to improve. He is an athletic, rangy corner that has fluid hips. However, too often he goes unknown out there and next season could be a special season if Greg Reid were to come back. Throw in LaMarcus Joyner and Karlos Williams, and we may be looking at a top-five secondary!

Andrew Datko

Datko is an all-world left tackle when healthy, but that has been a major issue. FSU is looking into a medical redshirt, which would bolster an offensive line that would be returning all but Zebrie Sanders.

If Datko does get the OK from the NCAA, all of a sudden the youngsters in the backfield would become major factors in the offense, which would allow E.J. Manuel to dissect an offense with ease.

In the preseason NFLDraftCountdown.com had Sanders and Datko as the best two tackles in the country, but certainly both of their stocks have taken a toll. If Datko does get the medical redshirt, he could fall off the map and not get drafted (though he would get signed and make an impact if healthy).

If Datko were to return next season not only would his draft stock rise to the top, but he would likely help the 'Noles return to national prominence.