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Jimbo Fisher has killed it in recruiting at Florida State, and the Seminoles have obviously been dominant (45-10 record, National Title, 2 ACC Titles, 3 ACC CG Appearances). But let's dig into that recruiting a bit more.
Now that the NFL draft is over, I thought it would be a good idea to take a look at all 93 recruits signed by Jimbo Fisher as head coach of the Florida State Seminoles from 2010-13.
First, some definitions. "Complete" means that the player has exhausted his eligibility or has graduated and is no longer playing for Florida State (some players transfer elsewhere for a fifth year after graduating, and some forgo their final year of eligibility after getting a degree if they are headed to graduate school and aren't in line for playing time).
"On track" means that the player is still on the team and in good standing. "Early NFL" is obvious, but it also includes players who leave the football team to turn pro in other sports (track, baseball, etc.). "Did not qualify/DNQ" means that the player did not qualify for Florida State admission, and it should be noted that half of those instances were known by Florida State's staff and signing them was motivation for them to come back to the school once they are done with their junior college work.
"Medical DQ" means that the player suffered an injury or condition preventing him from continuing with his career, and the school continues to pay for his education and medical treatment related to the injury. "Dismissed" is the category for players who have been involuntarily removed from the program due to disciplinary reasons, or failed out.
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What we see is that Florida State is achieving roughly 80 percent positive outcomes (complete, on track or early pro), while just 15 percent outcomes are arguably or definitively negative (transfers and dismissals). That ratio is absolutely ridiculous and, to be honest, might be unsustainable in the long term. The remaining four percent is in the unavoidable category, as football is not just a contact sport, but a collision sport, and injuries result.
Let's break down the players individually.
| What happened to the 93 players signed under head coach Jimbo Fisher? | ||||
| Name | Pos | Rating | Status | Note |
| The 2010 recruiting class | ||||
| Lamarcus Joyner | DB | 5 stars | Complete | 3-year starter. All-Conference/All-America. NFL Draft second round. |
| Christian Jones | LB | 5 stars | Complete | 3-year starter at linebacker. NFL UDFA |
| Jeff Luc | LB | 4 stars | Transferred | Battled injury, poor coaching, etc. and did not grasp defense. Transferred to Cincinnati |
| Kenny Shaw | WR | 4 stars | Complete | In receiver rotation for four years. NFL UDFA |
| Christian Green | WR | 4 stars | On Track | Redshirted as freshman, promising second season, non-factor as RS-Soph and RS-JR. |
| Darious Cummings | DE | 4 stars | Transferred | Could not crack rotation, transferred to JUCO, signed with UF |
| Greg Dent | WR | 4 stars | Dismissed | Dent, a major contributor was charged with rape and was suspended indefinitely. |
| Telvin Smith | LB | 4 stars | Complete | Part-time starter 2011-12, started 2013, NFL Draft fourth round. |
| Mike Harris | DB | 4 stars | Complete | Part-time starter 2010-2011, 6th round NFL Draft |
| De'Joshua Johnson | WR | 4 stars | DNQ | Misled coaches about his academics, failed to qualify, arrested multiple times after. |
| Jarred Haggins | WR | 3 stars | On Track | In receiver rotation for three years. Part-time starter. Often injured. |
| Chad Abram | DB | 3 stars | Complete | Reserve defensive back moved to reserve fullback. Starting FB scored TD in Natl Champ Game. NFL UDFA |
| Terrence Brooks | DB | 3 stars | Complete | Two-year starter, NFL Draft third round. |
| Holmes Onwukaife | LB | 3 stars | Medical | Battled injury, couldn't crack rotation, medical DQ. |
| Damien Jacobs | DT | 3 stars | DNQ | Failed to qualify, went to JUCO, signed with UF. |
| Tank Sessions | TE | 3 stars | Medical | Couldn't crack rotation, injured, medical DQ |
| Dan Foose | OL | 3 stars | Medical | Oft-injured lineman had not cracked rotation, medical DQ. |
| Debrale Smiley | RB | 3 stars | Complete | Reserve fullback from JUCO, played sparingly, didn't cause problems. |
| Cameron Erving | DT | 3 stars | On Track | Sleeper defensive tackle has blossomed into a very good player both at defensive tackle and now at offensive tackle. |
| Nigel Terrell | LB | 3 stars | On Track | Athletic linebacker from Birmingham, Terrell has not added much muscle and has not cracked the rotation. |
| Clint Trickett | QB | 3 stars | Complete | Backup quarterback has had mixed results when filling in for an injured E.J. Manuel. In the running to start in 2013. Graduated and transferred out to West Virginia. |
| Will Tye | TE | 3 stars | Transfer | Bust. Tye never grasped the offense or fully dedicated himself the way one needs to do to succeed at Florida State. |
| Bjoern Werner | DE | 3 stars | Early NFL | Superstar. Werner was a quality sub in 2010, and started in 2011 and 2012, playing at an All-American level. First round NFL Draft pick. |
| Anthony McCloud | DT | 3 stars | Complete | Starter of more than 30 games at nose guard. Has a shot to make an NFL roster. |
| The 2011 recruiting class | ||||
| Karlos Williams | DB | 5 stars | On Track | Amazing athlete, didn't make impact at safety. Moved to RB for 2013 and was explosive. Presumptive starter for 2014. |
| James Wilder Jr. | RB | 5 stars | Early NFL | Excellent athlete, Wilder has slowly grown into the running back role. Has been arrested at least thrice, not for malicious things, but criminal offenses nonetheless. Early NFL, UDFA. |
| Timmy Jernigan | DT | 4 stars | Early NFL | Jernigan was a very good defensive tackle for Florida State. His sophomore slump consisted of merely maintaining his level from 2010, which was a win for the Seminoles. Elite as a junior. NFL Draft second round. |
| Cornellius Carradine | DE | 4 stars | Complete | Excellent defensive end in 2011 and 2012, tore his knee in late November, still drafted early. |
| Nick O'Leary | TE | 4 stars | On Track | Three-year starter at tight end needs to become more mature and avoid crashing two-wheeled vehicled. |
| Kelvin Benjamin | WR | 4 stars | Early NFL | Super talented receiver battled work ethic and maturity issues, but after a redshirt year, got on the field in 2012. Had a productive, but inconsistent year. Burst onto scene in 2013 and was dominant at times. First round NFL Draft. |
| Bobby Hart | OL | 4 stars | On Track | Very young offensive lineman battled work ethic and maturity issues early in career. Started some in 2011 when he should have been redshirting due to a ridiculous amount of injuries. Was good as starter in 2013. Will be a 20-year old senior in 2014. |
| Jacob Fahrenkrug | OL | 4 stars | Complete | Started some in 2011, none in 2012. Reserve level offensive lineman who battled injuries. |
| Rashad Greene | WR | 4 stars | On Track | Florida State's best receiver as a freshman, sophomore and junior. Greene should only see his role increase in 2014. |
| Nile Lawrence-Stample | DT | 4 stars | On Track | Wide-bodied defensive tackle should see more snaps in 2013. Redshirted in 2011, played some as a reserve in 2012 and 2013. Should be important player in 2014. |
| Josue Matias | OL | 4 stars | On Track | Started the last ~30 games at guard, should continue to do so in 2014. |
| Derrick Mitchell | DT | 4 stars | On Track | Reserve DT has battled multiple injuries and has yet to make an impact. |
| Giorgio Newberry | DE | 4 stars | On Track | Development has been slow, moved from DE, to TE, now to DT. |
| Devonta Freeman | RB | 4 stars | Early NFL | Solid part-time starter at running back in both 2011 and 2012, excellent in 2013. NFL Draft Third Round. |
| Nick Waisome | DB | 4 stars | On Track | Starter at field corner in 2012 when Greg Reid was dismissed from the program, beaten out in 2013, could be important reserve in 2014. |
| Tyler Hunter | DB | 3 stars | On Track | Starter at nickel corner in 2012, neck injury 2013, could play big role in 2014. |
| Eric Beverly | RB | 3 stars | Medical | Beverly battled injuries and was medically disqualified before the season. |
| Jordan Prestwood | OL | 3 stars | Transferred | Prestwood was a headcase who transferred before he even made it through a spring practice to be with his buddy Aaron Lynch at Notre Dame, then became homesick and left Notre Dame went to a JUCO. |
| Keelin Smith | DB | 3 stars | On Track | Reserve defensive back could see time in 2014. Redshirted in 2011. |
| Terrance Smith | LB | 3 stars | On Track | A starter in 2013, now the most veteran of the impact linebackers. |
| Jacob Coker | QB | 3 stars | Complete | Promising QB recruit redshirted in 2011, contended for starting job in 2013, injured, graduated and transferred to Alabama as graduate student. |
| Sterling Lovelady | OL | 3 stars | Complete | Reserve offensive lineman who, like others, didn't redshirt in 2011 due to crazy offensive line injuries. Played sparingly in 2013, graduated, and will pursue law school. |
| Trey Pettis | OL | 3 stars | Transferred | Reserve offensive lineman, has battled some injuries. Many question whether he wants to play football, or if he continues to do so to please those close to him. Eventually transferred, unable to get weight under control. |
| Ruben Carter | OL | 3 stars | On Track | Reserve offensive lineman. Redshirted in 2011. Could be a starter in 2015. |
| Tre' Jackson | DT | 3 stars | On Track | Jackson started the last ~30 games and is in line to be a three-year starter at guard. Good player. |
| Terry Bell | DT | 3 stars | DNQ | Sign-&-place. Was not expected to qualify. |
| Lamarcus Brutus | DB | 3 stars | On Track | Reserve defensive back. Redshirted in 2011. |
| Arrington Jenkins | LB | 3 stars | Transferred | Promising linebacker stole a dirt bike and transferred out to a JUCO. |
| Austin Barron | OL | 2 stars | On Track | Reserve offensive lineman who, like others, didn't redshirt in 2011 due to crazy offensive line injuries. Should start in 2014. |
| The 2012 recruiting class | ||||
| Eddie Goldman | DT | 5 stars | On Track | The top defensive tackle recruit in the country looks to have a promising career ahead of him after being a starter in 2013. |
| Jameis Winston | QB | 5 stars | On Track | Heisman winner 2013, best QB in college football. |
| Mario Edwards | DE | 5 stars | On Track | The top strong-side defensive end recruit nationally came in a bit overweight, but worked his way into shape and played well down the stretch in 2012. Dominant player in 2013 expected to take another leap in 2014. |
| Ukeme Eligwe | LB | 4 stars | On Track | Very athletic linebacker. Redshirted in 2012 after a wrist injury. Expected to start in 2014, but a lisfranc injury has that in question. |
| Chris Casher | DE | 4 stars | On Track | Very promising defensive end redshirted after a knee injury. Promising contributor in 2013, likely starter in 2014. |
| Mario Pender | RB | 4 stars | On Track | Redshirted after multiple injuries in 2012, including a groin injury. Finally has academics on track, should play a lot in 2014. |
| Ronald Darby | DB | 4 stars | On Track | ACC defensive freshman of the year 2012, dominant despite injury in 2013. |
| Christo Kourtzidis | TE | 4 stars | Transferred | Kourtzidis was promising but battled injury and homesickness after some of FSU's coachs left. |
| P.J. Williams | DB | 4 stars | On Track | Elite cornerback. |
| Colin Blake | DB | 4 stars | On Track | Redshirted 2012 after injury. Should be a reserve for 2014. |
| Marvin Bracy | WR | 4 stars | Early pro | Maybe the fastest man in college football. Redshirted in 2012 after a hamstring injury. Turned pro in track. |
| Reggie Northrup | LB | 4 stars | On Track | Very promising linebacker recruit will contend for a starting job in 2014. Excellent balance. |
| Justin Shanks | DT | 4 stars | On Track | Shanks redshirted and improved a lot during 2012, losing roughly 40 pounds. He did not play much in 2013, and needs to get his career going. |
| Daniel Glauser | OL | 3 stars | Complete | Glauser was expected to have two years of eligibility, but the NCAA granted him just one after ruling that his time in Switzerland accounted for more than he first thought. Started two games and was a reserve. |
| Dalvon Stuckey | DT | 3 stars | DNQ | Stuckey was a sign-&-place. He was not expected to make it in to Florida State. |
| Menelik Watson | OL | 3 stars | Early NFL | Watson exceeded all expectations and had so much potential that he left for the NFL early and was a top pick. Physical freak who came to Florida State with almost no football experience. JUCO. |
| Roberto Aguayo | K | 3 stars | On Track | Best kicker in the country. |
| Sean Maguire | QB | 3 stars | On Track | Redshirted 2012, backup 2013 after Jacob Coker was injured, slated to be No. 2 in 2014. |
| Cason Beatty | P | 2 stars | On Track | Beatty struggled for much of 2012 in his first year punting for the Noles. He wasn't much better in 2014 and remains the team's major weakness. |
| The 2013 recruiting class | ||||
| Jalen Ramsey | DB | 5 stars | On Track | Ramsey started as a freshman and is a blossoming superstar. |
| Matthew Thomas | LB | 5 stars | On Track | Thomas was injured as a freshman but is in line for a starting job in 2014. |
| E.J. Levenberrry | LB | 4 stars | On Track | Levenberry had a solid first year. |
| Ira Denson | OL | 4 stars | Dismissed | Denson was involved with the shooting of a relative of a teammate and was dismissed. |
| Ryan Green | RB | 4 stars | On Track | Green has had two injury issues while on campus but is on track for playing time. |
| Levonte Whitfield | WR | 4 stars | On Track | Whitfield's TD in the BCS Championship Game keyed the Seminoles' comeback. |
| Demarcus Walker | DE | 4 stars | On Track | Walker played some important minutes as a freshmen. |
| Isaiah Jones | WR | 4 stars | On Track | Jones could see more playing time in 2014. |
| Freddie Stevenson | LB | 4 stars | On Track | Stevenson should be the starter at fullback in 2014 after a position change. |
| Keith Bryant | DT | 4 stars | On Track | Bryant should be a key contributor in 2014. |
| Marques White | ATH | 4 stars | On Track | Should be a key reserve at cornerback in 2014. Also on the basketball team. |
| Jeremy Kerr | TE | 3 stars | On Track | Should be a key reserve at tight end in 2014. |
| John Franklin | ATH | 3 stars | On Track | Third-string quarterback with excellent athleticism. |
| Tyrell Lyons | DB | 3 stars | On Track | Reserve safety. |
| Nate Andrews | DB | 3 stars | On Track | Played a lot at safety in 2013, could start in 2014. |
| Ryan Hoefeld | OL | 3 stars | On Track | Hoefeld is one of the reserve centers. |
| Desmond Hollin | DL | 3 stars | On Track | Hollin moved to defensive tackle and should be a contributor in 2014. |
| Ro'Derrick Hoskins | LB | 3 stars | On Track | Hoskins could see a lot of time in the hybrid DE/OLB role. |
| Wilson Bell | OL | 3 stars | On Track | Bell is a very promising offensive linemen. |
| Jesus Wilson | WR | 3 stars | On Track | Wilson could contend for a starting job at receiver in 2014. |
| Davarez Bryant | DL | 2 stars | DNQ | Bryant failed to qualify and is trying to get back to Florida State. |
| Ratings via Rivals.com | ||||