FSU Football: Grading The 'Noles 2013 Recruiting Class

Sep 5, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles linebacker Matthew Thomas (6) during the first quarter at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

FSU football had the No. 11 recruiting class in 2013 and No. 1 class in the ACC. We grade the class to see who lived up to expectations.

FSU football was coming off their Orange Bowl win over Northern Illinois and the No. 3 recruiting class in the nation in 2012.

The 2012 class was loaded and featured eight future NFL players.

Ironically, the 2013 recruiting class is the lowest rated class overall in the Jimbo Fisher era. It’s the only class thus far that finished outside the top 10.

There were 22 commitments with an average player rating of 89.19. That’s the second lowest player average under Fisher.

The lowest average player rating was the 2010 class where Fisher had about a month to close the class after becoming head coach.

FSU’s 2013 recruiting class had some studs and some duds. Let’s go through and see who graded where as we go from lowest rated to highest.

Davarez Bryant

Ineligible article.

Desmond Hollin

Jeremy Kerr

John Franklin III

Wilson Bell

Nate Andrews

Ryan Hoefield

Richie Klepal

Jesus Wilson

Tyrell Lyons

Ro’Derrick Hoskins

Freddie Stevenson

Marquez White

Kermit Whitfield

Isaiah Jones

Keith Bryant

E.J. Levenberry

Ira Denson

Ryan Green

DeMarcus Walker

Jalen Ramsey

Matthew Thomas

C+Matthew Thomas was the highest rated player in the 2013 class and was the No. 8 player in the nation. Thomas’s career at FSU was filled with drama before he even enrolled and the same has been consistent since. He has endured injuries, his mother passing away, failed drug test, being academically ineligible and somehow found a way to stay on the team and finally contribute in 2016. Thomas led the team in tackles (77) in 2016 and finally started playing up to his five-star rating about halfway through the season. He has already announced that he will return to FSU for his senior season. If he staves off injuries and plays like he did the second half of the season, he’ll likely be a high draft pick in 2018.Next: Final Thoughts

Nov 26, 2016; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles quarterback Deondre Francois (12), defensive end Demarcus Walker (44), and running back Dalvin Cook (4) celebrate after the Seminoles beat the Florida Gators at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports

Final Thoughts

Matthew Thomas still has time to make an impact on his legacy. Kermit Whitfield, Jesus Wilson, Nate Andrews and Freddie Stevenson probably out performed their ratings with Andrews having one year left and a few others.

Andrews is an experienced player, but likely won’t be a huge contributor next season due to younger talent surpassing him.

Overall, the 2013 FSU Football recruiting class has been a disappointment with only 45 percent of the class being blue chip players.

Over 54 percent of the class either didn’t contribute, transferred or became academically ineligible.

Only 50 percent (5 of 10) of the blue chip players have made significant contributions on the field.

However, the class did give us two of the better players during the Jimbo Fisher era with Jalen Ramsey and DeMarcus Walker.