Under new head coach Willie Taggart, Florida State will look to lock down its recruiting class on National Signing Day.
After Jimbo Fisher’s surprise departure after the 2017 college football season, Florida State swiped Willie Taggart from Oregon to become their new head coach. He takes over a program that fell below expectations in the fall, finishing at just 7-6.
For Taggart to turn the page, he will start with the 2018 recruiting class. These players will join the Seminoles next season and attempt to contribute to the program’s latest National Championship.
There are players in place in this No. 15 overall class, however, according to 247Sports, as 11 four-star recruits will join are already set to join Florida State in the fall. Along with them, who else will head to Tallahassee? Let’s take a look:
Asante Samuel Jr. is easily the list’s most recognizable name. He’s the son of former NFL cornerback Asante Samuel who spent time with the New England Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles. Can Samuel Jr. live up to what his father did on the gridiron?
Samuel Jr., Jaiden Woodbey, Isaiah Bolden and Anthony Lytton will all join a reformed secondary with the potential to be great in a year or two. All four are among the top 250 players in the class of 2018.
Next: National Signing Day: Predictions for top 25 uncommitted recruits
To continue the defensive focus, outside linebacker Amari Gainer and defensive tackle Robert Cooper are among FSU’s top recruits. Both should be in line for playing time within the next one to two years, given the talent already ahead of them.
There’s still work to be done, though, as Taggart eyes his own players to bring to Northern Florida. Will he receive a few last-minute commitments from recruits like quarterback James Foster or offensive lineman Nicholas Petit-Frere, both of whom were made offers?
No. 15 can be built upon on National Signing Day, even though FSU already has a quality class. So far, so good, but look for it to get better.
Grade: B+