Florida State will be looking to bounce back into the top-three in 2014 after a slightly disappointing top-10 finish in 2013’s recruiting cycle. The Seminoles lost six coaches in a span of six weeks, and struggled to create new relationships in the short window. This year FSU projects to take a class of between 24 and 31 players. And they’re off to a fast start with seven commitments, including five consensus four-star recruits.
Florida State football recruiting: Seminoles with 7 early verbal commitments
Florida State football plans to take a big recruiting class in 2014, and it’s well on its way with seven early commitments.
Commitments since National Signing Day: Blake McClain, JJ Cosentino | Decommitments: Joseph Yearby
Current Class
Demarcus Christmas, Bradenton (Fla.) Manatee High School: Demarcus Christmas is one of the most sought-after defensive linemen in the country. He committed to Florida State back in 2012, and holds offers from multiple top SEC schools.At 6’4 and 290 pounds, Christmas is rather trim and has room to add good weight to his long frame. Christmas is a consensus 4-star recruit.
Delvin Purifoy, Pensacola (Fla.) Catholic High School: Purifoy committed to the Florida State Seminoles in early January. Purifoy is one of the top linebacker recruits in the country. He has excellent size at 6’2 and 230 pounds, and as with most linebacker recruits, he has tremendous athleticism relative to that size. Purifoy makes a lot of plays in the hole and is rated a four-star recruit by a consensus of the four major recruiting services.
J.C. Jackson, Immokalee (Fla.) High School: Jackson is an intriguing recruit with the ability to play both cornerback and wide receiver. He was initially thought to be six feet, but in reality might not be that tall (probably 5’11 180). Jackson’s offensive tape shows him with good speed and the ability to catch the football at its highest point. He’s catching mostly bubble screens and deep balls, and doesn’t run many routes. On defense, he closes well on comeback routes. Jackson is a consensus four-star recruit and also claims offers from Miami, Florida, Auburn and Alabama. At this time, he is considered a very soft commitment, and openly flirts with, visits and names other schools as his leader, while maintaining his commitment to Florida State. Oh, recruiting.
JJ Cosentino, Pittsburgh (PA) Central Catholic High School: Cosentino chose Florida state in mid-March. He had a relationship with FSU defensive ends coach Sal Sunseri, and was impressed with Jimbo Fisher’s track record with quarterbacks and the NFL draft. Cosentino stands 6’4 and weighs in at 215 pounds. He carries a consensus three-star rating.
Blake McClain, Jacksonville (Fla.) Sandalwood High School: McClain is a big body defensive lineman out of Jacksonville. He doesn’t have great speed or explosion, but could be a good five-technique end and is capable of eventually playing at 6’3 and 280+ pounds. He is also the teammate of current Seminole DeMarcus Walker and five-star recruit Kain Daub.
JoJo Robinson, Miami (Fla.) Northwestern High School: Robinson is another talented player out of South Florida committed to the Seminoles. Robinson is very athletic and stands about 5’11, weighing 175 pounds. He is capable of playing both receiver and cornerback, and it will be interesting to see where Florida State’s new coaching staff prefers him the most. Robinson is not yet rated, but does hold offers from LSU and Miami, and is receiving interest from Florida and Georgia.
C.J. Worton, Homestead (Fla.) South Dade High School: Worton is one of the better receivers in South Florida. He committed to the Seminoles in August of 2012. At 5'11 and 180 pounds, Wharton has good size, but also has good speed and quickness, and the ability to separate. And he pairs that with excellent moves in the open field.
Keep in mind that there are still 44 weeks until National Signing Day 2014 and recruits often change schools several times before the final decision.
For more on Florida State football recruiting, visit Tomahawk Nation.
