Day 1 of the Florida State Jimbo Fisher Football Recruit Camp brought a lot of young defensive talent and great weather in Tallahassee.
Defensive end was the best position of the day, with Baker County's five-star CeCe Jefferson showing up and touring the school with his family. Jefferson did not work out, but did hang out with coaches Odell Haggins and Jimbo Fisher. Florida is still seen as the favorite for Jefferson, but FSU fans should be encouraged that he brought his parents along for the visit. You can also see below that Jimbo Fisher has been working out and has slimmed down considerably.
#GoNoles! #BossMan! pic.twitter.com/QsRMF2XGaK
— Ivan Drago (@cecejeferson7) June 11, 2014Young defensive ends shine
The youngsters, however, stole the show. Josh Brown, of Charlotte (N.C.) Mallard Creek, is 6'3, 215, with a tremendous first step, good bend and length, and FSU was the first to offer. Click to see Brown's quickness. Jordan Woods, at 6'3 237 from Ocala Trinity, was also excellent on the day. He profiles as a bigger player than Brown, but clearly has a BCS frame. He has major offers from all of the big schools, including Florida State. And Devontae Davis, of Aiken South Carolina, is a great looking 2017 player who I mistakenly identified as 2015 recruit Akeem Davis, of North Carolina. I regret the error.
I spoke with Woods after the camp. He has visited Florida State four times in the last 12 months. He said that Florida State is a "Seminole Nation, not individuals and not one person." His cousin attended Florida State, and has been in his ear about the program and its academics.
Woods said that South Carolina, Georgia, Miami, Florida, Michigan and Florida State are some of his top offers, and he already has offers from UCF and USF, as well.
Woods wants to study political science, and told me that he "wants to be The President of the United States."
Woods plans to visit Miami on June 21, Georgia on July 18, and could not recall the dates for his upcoming visits to South Carolina and Alabama. He claims no leaders and is open in his process.
Lake Gibson 2017 linebacker A.J. Deshazor may turn into a very good player. He already claims a Virginia Tech offer and had some good moments Wednesday.
FSU hosts No. 1 inside linebacker
The best linebacker on hand was Leo Lewis. The Alabama commitment from Mississippi did not work out, but did visit with the coaches and toured the facilities. He plans to work out on Thursday, and I am excited to see him as many believe he is the top interior linebacker in the country. A source confirmed Wednesday that while FSU is not guaranteed to take another linebacker, it would make room for a player of Lewis' caliber.
I spoke with Lewis after the session.
Lewis stressed that he is solidly committed to Alabama, but said that he is very high on Florida State, and that "not a lot of people know that."
Lewis toured the campus and met with his recruiter, Tim Brewster, who recruits Mississippi for the Seminoles. He was very impressed with the size and beauty of the campus and its buildings. Lewis plans to study business and would also like to be a football coach.
Will FSU get an official visit? Yes, Lewis said, who said that in addition to taking visits to Alabama and Florida State, he might also visit Texas A&M, UCLA and Cal. Lewis is content with his commitment to Alabama, but wants to see everything and make sure that he made the right decision.
2016 DB stands out
Mecole Hardman, a 2016 cornerback from Georgia made the trip down and was the best defensive back on the day. Tomahawk Nation's Dustin Tackett spoke with Hardman, and that interview will be available Thursday morning. FSU did not offer, but sources say the staff was quite impressed.
FSU DB commitment happy in Tallahassee, working on great class
Florida State commitment Calvin Brewton, of Miami (Fla.) Central, was hanging out (but not working out), and I chatted with him for quite a while. Brewton is an engaging kid. Brewton arrived last night with fellow Florida State receiver target Da'Vante Phillips (who most believe is an absolute lock to the Seminoles), and they hung out with former teammate Dalvin Cook. Brewton had shoulder surgery last year, and says that he is fully healed, and is now lifting to regain the muscle. Brewton is excited about being part of Florida State's defensive back class, and mentioned keeping commit Tyrek Cole (his close friend who is committed, but open) in the fold, playing with Derwin James and A.J. Westbrook, and targeting Tarvarus McFadden, at cornerback. If FSU does hold on to Cole and lands McFadden, it would almost certainly have the best defensive back class in the country. Brewton said that he is very solid to Florida State, and also noted how all of the Florida State defensive back commitments can play cornerback or safety.
Von Davis, of Mount Dora (Fla.) also looked good at cornerback. I do not expect Florida State to offer, as the national champions can afford to be very picky at the cornerback position. He is hearing a lot from his top offers Indiana and Kentucky and is a talented player.
Receiver stands out
The best player on offense for the day was undoubtedly 2016 receiver Larry Collins, of South Carolina. FSU has been on him and offered him early, along with Clemson and South Carolina. Tomahawk Nation's Dustin Tackett spoke with him after the camp.
First Coast teammates unlikely to attend same school
First Coast offensive tackle William Sweet was at the event along with QB commitment De'Andre Johnson. Sweet, who is committed to North Carolina, is very solid to the Tar Heels, and is looking forward to visiting them next week. Neither player worked out, though I imagine that Johnson will Thursday of Friday. Florida State is not pursuing Sweet very hard according to my sources, and he confirmed as much Wednesday when I chatted with him.
Quality offensive linemen
Ocala Trinity's Geron Christian was the best offensive line prospect in attendance. I believe Christian will ultimately end up at guard, and Tackett was very impressed by his quickness and hip flexibility and fluidity. It would not be surprising to see the Seminoles offer Christian, as Rick Trickett spent considerable time speaking with Christian both during and after the session. FSU camp counselors paid him a lot of attention, as well, and he is a recent Miami offer.
Lake Gibson's Baveon Johnson, a 2016 prospect, is very intriguing. Johnson is 6'4, 275 and already holds offers from Wisconsin, Nebraska, Indiana and Arizona. I am not sure if he will end up at guard or tackle.
Player counselors
Thanks to a new NCAA rule, players were permitted to work the camp as coaches, and a tremendous number took advantage. Florida State players Dalvin Cook, Rashad Greene, Nick O'Leary (with no obvious signs of lingering issues from the dirt bike crash), Josue Matias, Tre' Jackson, Wilson Bell, Bobby Hart, Chris Casher, Demarcus Walker, Derrick Mitchell, Justin Shank, Keith Bryant, Kain Daub, Ermon Lane, Travis Rudolph, Tyler Hunter, Ronald Darby, P.J. Williams, Nate Andrews, Marquez White, Nick Waisome, Lamarcus Brutus were all in attendance.
Casher, in particular, looked huge (minimized for mobile readers, click to enlarge):
