2013 Florida State Spring Football Analysis

Florida State Seminoles 2013 ... Head Coach: Jimbo Fisher

Florida State Seminoles

2013 Schedule
9/2 at Pitt
9/7 OPEN DATE
9/14 Nevada
9/21 Bethune-Cookman
9/28 at Boston College
10/5 Maryland
10/12 OPEN DATE
10/19 at Clemson
10/26 NC State
11/2 Miami
11/9 at Wake Forest
11/16 Syracuse
11/23 Idaho
11/30 at Florida

Why To Get Excited … the Seminoles are trending north for head coach Jimbo Fisher, winning the ACC for the first time since 2005, and reeling in another top-flight recruiting class. It’s taken a while to get back to this point, but Florida State is once again looking down on the rest of the conference, with its sights now set on entering the national championship picture.

Why To Be Grouchy … turnover is inevitable, but FSU has endured more than the usual departures since December. Not only have EJ Manuel and a handful of other standouts taken off for the NFL, but Fisher has also dealt with the exits of six assistants, including defensive coordinator Mark Stoops to Kentucky. This program will have a very different look than it did in 2012.

The Number One Thing To Work On Is … grooming a new starter behind center. The Seminoles will audition three candidates to be Manuel’s heir apparent, Clint Trickett, Jameis Winston and Jacob Coker. Trickett is by far the most seasoned veteran, but Coker and Winston have high ceilings that they’ll attempt to reach beginning in the spring.

Team Concerns For 2013: Replacing quarterback E.J. Manuel is Concern One, but overall, can the Seminoles improve on turnover margin? Considering the across-the-board talent level, the defense needs to make more big plays. The defensive front needs the most immediate help losing all four starters along with a few reserves, while replacing linebackers Nick Moody and Vince Williams isn't a plus. The offensive line that turned out to be so strong for the ground game has to be better in pass protection.

The 2013 Class Is Heavy On ... Wide receivers. Defensive tackle Keith Bryant and guard Ira Denson were big pickups to make up for a few key losses, and landing linebacker Matthew Thomas made the class great. After a few phenomenal classes, the Noles don't have any major areas of need after bringing in the nation's No. 1 overall class last season, but there are still plenty of big-time talents coming in. However, it's nowhere near last year's haul with so many key spots already filled. Linebacker E.J. Levenberry and defensive tackle Demarcus Walker are two of the big stars, but receivers Isaiah Jones (big), Kermit Whitfield (small and speedy) and Jesus Wilson (fast) should crank up the passing game down the road.

2012 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 6. That Class Was Heavy On ... This might not turn out to be the class last year’s was, but head coach Jimbo Fisher is playing with the biggest of big boys when it comes to bringing in the talent. He’s loading up on the lines, especially defensive end, with Mario Edwards the top end prospect in America, and Chris Casher and Dante Fowler not far behind. He’s looking for instant help from the JUCO ranks for the offensive line that needs a few more options, and he’s going hard after a few top quarterback prospects to be ready to fight for a job when E.J. Manuel is done next year. 

2011 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 1. That Class Was Heavy On ... High expectations. Florida State has done its normally strong job of recruiting over the past several years, but now with the transition of power well in the rearview mirror, the program is rocking on the recruiting trail. Jimbo Fisher did a nice job last year, but that was nothing compared to the haul he brought in this season led by defensive tackle Tim Jernigan, safety Karlos Williams, outside linebacker James Wilder, and offensive tackle Bobby Hart. They’ll be expected to be All-ACC stars in the near future, while JUCO transfer defensive tackle Cornellius Carradine is ready for right now. Position-wise, the defensive line got the most attention with a jaw-dropping group of players who should make the Noles a brick wall for the next four years. There might have been a few stunning losses here and there, including linebacker Stephone Anthony to Clemson, but this the program’s best class in a long, long time.

2010 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 12. That Class Was Heavy On ... Jimbo Fisher's ability. Any worries now that Florida State couldn't recruit quite as well without the Bobby Bowden touch? The transition turned out to be a plus as Fisher was able to sell stability to a slew of tremendous prospects that upgraded the team's talent level in a hurry. WR Christian Green was a steal from Florida and Georgia, while Kenny Shaw is the type of target to get excited about even if Green didn't sign. DT Darious Cummings was taken away from Florida and Auburn, defensive end Bjorn Werner was a key get for the line, and Jeff Luc is an NFL-ready defender who'll be the next great Seminole linebacker. Throw in star corner prospect Lamarcus Joyner and safety Greg Dent, and FSU did more than just fine.

2009 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 16. That Class Was Heavy On ... safeties. With their secondary going through a bit of an overhaul, the Seminoles focused on that unit, specifically the safeties. Florida State has signed four of them, two who rank among the ten best in the country at the position. Willie Downs and JaJuan Harley are outstanding talents, whose families won’t be traveling far on Saturdays. Both teens hail from Tallahassee, and decided some time ago to remain close to home.