By Matthew Osborne
SouthernPigskin.com

Follow us at Twitter.com/SouthernPigskin.  Become a fan at the SouthernPigskin.com Facebook Page

One of the main reasons why fans are so openly optimistic about the future of their program is the success that new head coach Jimbo Fisher has had in recruiting.

This offseason, much of the talk focusing on ACC football centered on the Florida State program, and their return to national prominence.

While the 2011 season hasn’t exactly started off the way that Seminole fans would have hoped, all of the signs still seem to be pointing toward Florida State becoming legitimate national title contenders in the very near future.

One of the main reasons that people in Tallahassee are so openly optimistic about the future of their program is the success that new head coach Jimbo Fisher has had in recruiting. ESPN ranked the Seminole’s 2011 class as the No. 1 class in the nation, ahead of traditional recruiting powers such as Alabama, Texas, and Florida.

Although it is extremely unlikely that Fisher and the rest of the Seminole staff will be able to repeat the top ranking that they received last season, it can be argued that the current recruiting class that Florida State is putting together is even better than last year’s group of players.

The Seminoles currently have the seventh-best recruiting class for the class of 2012 according to Scout.com, who ranked the Nole’s 2011 class as the second-best in the nation. Despite the perceived drop in rankings, you must delve deeper to truly see the quality of player that Florida State is signing.

Using Scout.com’s rankings, FSU had 26 prospects sign their letter of intent with the Seminoles last season.

Amongst those 26 recruits, the average star ranking for each recruit was 3.65, which placed Florida State sixth nationally, behind Texas, Alabama, Auburn, Ohio State, and Oklahoma.

Fast forward to this season, and the Seminoles have the second-best average star ranking at 3.96 per recruit, ranking just behind Texas. Of FSU’s 17 current verbal commitments, 11 are ranked as a top ten prospect at their position by at least one major recruiting outlet.

The star of the current class is defensive end Mario Edwards, who ESPN ranked as the nation’s top prospect. Edwards has prototypical size (6-4, 260), and is incredibly strong for a high school player. Although there is plenty of improving to be done with his technique, he has talent and athleticism that simply can’t be coached. It is doubtful that he will start next season, but it will be nearly impossible to keep him off of the field as a true freshman.
Edwards is not the only star recruit that has given his verbal commitment to Florida State, however. Jameis Winston, a star quarterback recruit and potential major league baseball prospect, gave his verbal commitment to the Seminoles in August. Winston is ranked as the No. 2 quarterback in the nation according to Scout.com, and a huge addition for the Seminoles due to the fact that he plays his high school ball in neighboring Alabama.

Looking at Florida State’s list of current verbal commitments, it is very apparent that Coach Fisher is attempting to build a program that wins by being faster and more athletic than their competition. This current class is loaded with speedy players who should be ready to contribute at the collegiate level from the day that they arrive on campus.

There is no doubt that the Seminoles would once again have a top three recruiting class if it weren’t for the fact that they do not have as many scholarships available for the 2012 class.

The Seminoles have been devastated by injuries early in the 2011 season. Judging by the way that recruiting has picked up under Jimbo Fisher however, it appears like having quality depth will not be a major problem for Florida State in the foreseeable future.

Tallahassee has once again become a popular destination for the nation’s elite recruits, and there is no doubt that the Seminoles will begin seeing the dividends from outstanding recruiting efforts in the seasons to come.

As well as covering Georgia Tech and the ACC, Matt Osborne is the South Region Senior Scout at Nationwide Sports Scouts. If you are interested in figuring out how he can help increase the recruiting exposure of someone that you know, please contact him at [email protected].