Florida State Football: Top 5 Targets for National Signing Day
Willie Taggart will complete his 2019 recruiting class with some key commitments on National Signing Day. Here are the five recruits Florida State football needs to land on February 6.
Overachieving, yet disappointing is the only way I can accurately describe the Noles’ success in the Early Signing Period. They met several highs with signatures from cornerback Akeem Dent, offensive guard Dontae Lucas, and linebackers Jaleel McRae and Kalen DeLoach.
All of these players met needs, especially Lucas who is sure to play immediately this season considering Florida State’s 4.8 yards per play (109th Nationally) was largely credited to the lack of talent on the offensive line. Florida State also allowed the 20th most sacks a season ago, third-most tackles for loss, and had the 103rd total offense in 2018.
More: Top 5 moments from Florida State’s 2018 season
The Florida State pass defense also allowed 268.7 yards per game last season and allowed the 103rd least passing yards nationally in 2018. Florida State is often referred to as Defensive Back U and that certainly was not the case last season. Akeem Dent is considered the seventh best corner in the 2019 class and should make an impact in an already young secondary.
The Early Signing Period was rather disappointing for the Noles considering who they lost. Florida State had two significant quarterbacks on their roster after Bailey Hockman departed for NC State. They had the fourth-best Pro-Style quarterback Sam Howell in their grasp and lost him to Mack Brown and North Carolina. They also lost William Putman to divisional rival Clemson on the second day of the Early Signing Period.
Florida State currently holds a Top 20 ranked recruiting class (according to 247Sports) and could climb the ranks if they can win the big player battles. Which five recruits mean the most to the Noles on National Signing Day?
5. Those Already Committed
So, Florida State has some major players already committed to its institution for the next three years but a Commitment isn’t a contractual obligation. Players decommit from schools all the time and it very well could happen on the last few days that they can make their decision.
Florida State has the No. 4 and No. 11 Safeties committed but not signed. Nick Cross is considered the top player out of Maryland and holds offers from Alabama, Auburn, Florida, and Penn State. Brendan Gant is an in-state recruit and was previously committed to Alabama. Gant could decide to switch back on National Signing Day and Taggart can’t afford to lose an in-state recruit after a mediocre season that already has him on the hot seat.
Another in-state recruit that can’t slip away is Quashon Fuller. Fuller is the No. 14 Strong-Side Defensive End nationally and the No. 28 recruit in the state of Florida. Although he’s committed to Florida State, 247Sports still gives him a 33 percent chance he bolts to Alabama or Auburn on National Signing Day. Although the Noles don’t lose much on the ends, Jon Gruden can tell you how badly teams could use a good pass-rusher.
Stealing recruits from other schools is important, but you have to make sure you lock down the guys you have for the long haul.