I keep a side eye on fsu recruiting. Somehow they seem to recruit well, and I don’t get it. I see them as a lesser school (with financial issues?), that fails to develop it’s players, that plays ball in an absolutely piss-poor conference (that may implode soon) against mostly silly little football schools. I know NIL exists, but can’t believe fsu is out paying other universities. Hoping y’all can edumicate me, please. Thanks.
As much as it pains me to say FSU is still a huge college football brand my dude. When I was a kid they were in the top 5 every year. Lots of these kids parents probably remember it well. They do pay better than lower tier SEC schools as well.
I might argue that lack of high school recruiting has killed them. They remain a relatively big name, and are situated in the middle of outrageous talent from a geographic standpoint....so they are going to get some players. But they have been massively outrecruited by UF, UM, the SEC, and a lot of the ACC. The portal, a weak schedule, and a great QB saved them temporarily.
10. Florida State Seminoles Previous ranking: NR ESPN 300 commits: 8 Top offensive prospect: TE Xavier Tiller Top defensive prospect: CB Lawrence Timmons Mike Norvell cranked up the heat on Florida State's 2026 recruiting class this summer. Coming off a 2-10 season that led to a staff overhaul, Norvell's fresh start pitch is resonating with prospects. The Seminoles landed multiple four-star commitments in June, headlined by tight end Xavier Tiller, who checks in at No. 84 on the ESPN 300. A former Texas A&M commit, the 6-foot-5, 215-pound Tiller boasts an 80-inch wingspan, fluid movement skills and the toughness to win contested catches. Tiller isn't the only notable pass catcher entering the mix for Florida State. Wide receiver Devin Carter, the son of former Seminoles running back Dexter Carter, is back in the fold after initially flipping to Auburn. He brings explosive short-area quickness and strong bloodlines. Four-star Florida native Brandon Bennett adds another dynamic option. Norvell also landed a quarterback who could one day get them the ball and tie the class together by flipping Jaden O'Neal, who plays at Mustang High in Oklahoma, from the in-state Sooners. The 6-foot-3 pocket-passer ranks No. 166 overall with a good frame, smooth delivery and calm demeanor. If Florida State holds onto O'Neal, he would be the program's highest-rated quarterback signee since 2022.
Years back it was the "car", the coeds at FL A&M, and the Dionne Sanders Education Plan where there was no need to actually be a "student" in any way shape or form. The cherry on top was Bobby Bowden coming in and Doug Dickey burying our program which was followed by the NCAA almost death penalty. No NCAA penalty, Bowden fired. Yep. They lost 6 in a row to us and were getting hammered in games (1983 was 53-14 Gator stomp). Then came the late 1980s and early 1990s with fsu having those huge TV games vs Miami...the Wide Right games which were very exciting. We were climbing out, but 10 years of being in a hole made it easier for Bowden to survive and succeed. They have always, I mean Always cheated, in sports. Final 4 in early 1970s, then probation for Otto Petty and King being paid off. There was the 1993 NC with the "Tainted Title". Lastly, they played only 2-3 tough games a year........UF, Miami and one other (ND, Ohio St, Cornhusks), but only One. The soft ACC for years was a walk over. Imagine playing their schedule in 1990 to 2001. How many NCs does Spurrier get? 4? 5? 7?
This is what I mean. How? Why would any self-respecting athlete go there? Hell, their conference may fold in a year or two. Maybe players don’t need to attend class or the classes are all easy? What are their supposedly all-important facilities like? Is it really just a 10 to 20 year old reputation (garnered playing in a basketball conference mind you) and somehow superior NIL monies? Kids want to play in big national games like Wake Forest and NC State? Sorry, but I just don’t get it.
most players know they aren't going to the NFL so they still need to get that degree in hopes of being an assistant to the manager at McDonalds.
IMO, they are a lot like Miami in that the flavor of the past still crops up from time to time. They hit on some unexpected (at least to most of us) quality but they don't get any momentum. And just because their player "talent" signed has some stars attached to their names, their ability to overcome adversity is usually pretty low. Once I see some real talent in the NFL from a Norvellllllllll program, I will take notice. Othewise, nothing to worry about.
They can just skip the degree and be the full manager at a fast food joint and make more money than a graduate with a psych degree
I think there is a lot of merit to this argument. FSU hired Norvell just before COVID hit and that killed his ability to establish recruiting relationships for the first two years of his time at FSU and that forced him to rely on the transfer portal for several years. FSU became known as destination for portal players before everything went crazy with the portal and NIL. In the mean time, when FSU had their two good season in '22 and '23, Seminole Boosters and Battle's End were working together to upgrade FSU's facilities. The Football only Facility will be completed this September. So FSU is in the top tier of programs when it comes to football facilities. I laugh when people argue about academics and college football. 98% of high school football recruits could not get into the schools offering them scholarships if they did not play football. Now when NIL is legal and these kids are more interested in getting an NIL deal than a degree. If these recruits actually cared about their education, UVA, Stanford, Michigan, and Vandy would all be Top 15 programs every year.
At 18 I was seriously considering FSU because my HS buddies all lived in the area. Ended up moving away to Gainesville, but that decision wasn’t as black and white as it is today.
FSU might not look like the flashiest option on paper, but they have a strong football history and a big fan base that still matters to recruits. Plus, Florida’s weather and lifestyle are big draws. Even if the conference isn’t top-tier right now, players figure they can get good exposure and maybe a chance to shine.
