Florida State Seminoles Signing Day outlook

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — There are plenty of reasons why Florida State’s football signing class could fall short of expectations.
Internal issues, such as six departed assistant coaches, have had a dramatic affect on things — most notably former Florida State offensive coordinator James Coley now recruiting student-athletes to the University of Miami. And there are external concerns, such as Florida’s resurgence and Alabama’s strength as a two-time defending national champion that recruits the state of Florida well.
When all the national letters of intent are finally received by the Florida State coaching staff Wednesday afternoon, this likely won’t be a top-five class. And it may not even be a top-10 class, something that would be a significant drop-off from the past few years.
There may be just one Scout.com five-star prospect that signs with Florida State, as coaches are hoping that Miami Booker T. Washington linebacker Matthew Thomas chooses the Seminoles over Miami, Alabama and Southern Cal.
But Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher is still hoping that he has built enough strong relationships through the years to solidify verbal commitments from some of the state’s football stars despite the staff turnover this offseason.
“The 2013 recruiting class at Florida State is not as flashy as the last couple of years, but it does appear as if they will hit their basic needs,” said Scout.com recruiting analyst Geoff Vogt, who follows Florida State closely.
Florida State already has a few signees that enrolled in January, including Scout.com four-star defensive end Demarcus Walker of Jacksonville Sandalwood and three-star linebacker Freddie Stevenson of Bartow.
Walker flipped from Alabama to Florida State, and his signing helps provide immediate depth to a defensive end unit that lost star pass rushers in Bjoern Werner, Tank Carradine and Brandon Jenkins to the NFL.
Coaches have also been chasing two more defensive ends, Davarez Bryant of New Smyrna Beach and Tashawn Bower of Somerville, N.J.
“Demarcus Walker helped alleviate concern at DE, but that is a spot where FSU can still use some help,” Vogt said.
Another position of need will be on the offensive line. Florida State returns four starters, all of which are juniors or seniors, but needs to find a right tackle and must develop quality depth. Coaches are hoping to reach into Alabama to grab either Prattville lineman Austin Golson or Eight Mile lineman Wilson Bell.
The Seminoles have received verbal commitments from a group of Scout.com four-star prospects like tailback Ryan Green of St. Petersburg Catholic, guard Ira Denson of Madison County, wide receiver Isaiah Jones of Milton and linebackers E.J. Levenberry of Woodbridge, Va., and Tyrell Lyons of Jacksonville First Coast.
Then things get interesting and Florida State coaches hope that the blue chips will follow the road to Tallahassee. Fisher and his assistants have spent the past few weeks crisscrossing the state in an effort to secure the commitments of several top prospects.
Among the key recruits who have not made a verbal commitment but will be signing Wednesday are Fort Lauderdale Northeast wide receiver Stacy Coley, Miami Booker T. Washington offensive lineman Denver Kirkland and his teammate Matthew Thomas, and Delray Beach Atlantic defensive tackle Keith Bryant.
By early afternoon, Florida State will know if they were able to reach into South Florida and win some recruiting battles with Miami and other top programs. If Fisher & Co. can go 4 for 4 with that group, especially considering all of the coaching changes, the class will be considered a strong one.
“The upside will come from a group of South Florida prospects — Stacy Coley, Matthew Thomas, Denver Kirkland and Keith Bryant,” Vogt said. “FSU is in good shape for each of those prospects heading into signing day.”
Notable Wednesday signing announcements
LB Matthew Thomas, 9:15 a.m.OL Denver Kirkland, 9:15 a.m.WR Stacy Coley, 11 a.m.DT Keith Bryant, 1:30 p.m.