Almost two years stand between George Brown Jr. (Cincinnati/Winton Woods) and a national letter of intent, so his visit to the Southeast this month was not about naming favorites or eliminating schools.
It did help the 6-foot-6, 255-pound athlete figure out where he wants to play at the next level, though. Brown, a 2015 prospect, is being recruited as a tight end, offensive lineman and defensive lineman. After camping at Clemson and Miami (Fla.), he is going to concentrate solely on defensive end.
It did help the 6-foot-6, 255-pound athlete figure out where he wants to play at the next level, though. Brown, a 2015 prospect, is being recruited as a tight end, offensive lineman and defensive lineman. After camping at Clemson and Miami (Fla.), he is going to concentrate solely on defensive end.
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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- It's Rankings Week at Nole Nation, and each day we'll be counting down the top teams, players and matchups of the 2013 season. In our last installment, we look at FSU's top recruiting needs for the Class of 2014.
1. Offensive tackle
It's been a relatively prolonged dry spell on the recruiting trail for FSU when it comes to the offensive line, with tackle in particular being a concern. As it stands, the Seminoles have three natural tackles projected on the roster beyond 2013, but Bobby Hart remains a wild card after an up-and-down two years, Wilson Bell has yet to arrive on campus and Cameron Erving could be headed to the NFL early if he turns in a strong junior campaign. Florida State needs to make a splash with this class, adding not only at least one or two game-ready options, but depth as well.
1. Offensive tackle
It's been a relatively prolonged dry spell on the recruiting trail for FSU when it comes to the offensive line, with tackle in particular being a concern. As it stands, the Seminoles have three natural tackles projected on the roster beyond 2013, but Bobby Hart remains a wild card after an up-and-down two years, Wilson Bell has yet to arrive on campus and Cameron Erving could be headed to the NFL early if he turns in a strong junior campaign. Florida State needs to make a splash with this class, adding not only at least one or two game-ready options, but depth as well.
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The evaluation period might have ended a few days ago, but that doesn't mean ESPN 150 DT Thomas Holley (Brooklyn, N.Y./Lincoln) has been able to get a break from recruiting.
He missed a call Wednesday night from a reporter but called back a few minutes later. Turns out he was on the other line -- picking up an offer from N.C. State, his 25th.
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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- It's Rankings Week at NoleNation, and each day we'll be counting down the top teams, players and matchups of the 2013 season. Next up, a look at FSU's top 10 freshmen likely to make a major impact.
1. QB Jameis Winston: No surprise here, but Winston could end up being the single most significant piece to FSU's puzzle in 2013.
While he still hasn't officially won the job of starting quarterback, that seems a foregone conclusion at this point. The bigger question is how he'll handle the role. His first test won't be easy -- a road date at Pitt -- but he'll have some time to get his feet wet before the Miami and Clemson games that are likely to dictate the Seminoles' place in the ACC race. Will Winston be the potential Heisman candidate so many have predicted, or will he go through the typical freshman struggles? Time will tell, but Florida State has a lot riding on the hope that he'll pick things up quickly.
1. QB Jameis Winston: No surprise here, but Winston could end up being the single most significant piece to FSU's puzzle in 2013.
While he still hasn't officially won the job of starting quarterback, that seems a foregone conclusion at this point. The bigger question is how he'll handle the role. His first test won't be easy -- a road date at Pitt -- but he'll have some time to get his feet wet before the Miami and Clemson games that are likely to dictate the Seminoles' place in the ACC race. Will Winston be the potential Heisman candidate so many have predicted, or will he go through the typical freshman struggles? Time will tell, but Florida State has a lot riding on the hope that he'll pick things up quickly.
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Florida State has to get modern in its search for a new athletic director.
Modern ADs know how to connect to fans, to donors, to booster groups. Modern ADs know how to squeeze money out of places where there is no money. Modern ADs come up with innovative revenue streams, to augment the bottom line as programs compete every single day against each other for the biggest budget and, in turn, the biggest facilities.
Randy Spetman was simply not the picture of a modern AD. That is through no fault of his own. Spetman was brought in by another president, during a time of NCAA issues, and was never really seen as a strong leader. Today, athletic departments need strong leaders. Perhaps that is one reason why he is taking on another role, as senior advisor to the athletics department.
From the moment he arrived, there seemed to be a general disconnect with the fan base, too. Then when new president Eric Barron arrived in 2010, there was a disconnect between them as well. Spetman was never Barron’s guy. When the president and AD do not see eye to eye on many issues, well, you have problems. You kinda got the idea this day would become an eventuality when Spetman only got a one-year extension in February. He remains one of the lowest paid ADs not only in the ACC but in Florida as well.
Spetman, however, was putting together a five-year strategic plan for Florida State, to be presented Thursday at a board of trustees meeting. He believed in the plan, and thought that would give him more time. Give Spetman credit for his accomplishments. Florida State has had no NCAA issues since his arrival, a major plus considering the problems that predated him. He got the indoor football practice facility done. And the teams within the athletic department reached unprecedented heights.
But many times over the past several years, Florida State made headlines for issues a stronger AD may have handled better. And many of those issues surrounded one major problem -- money. The Noles had budget problems; they had home attendance problems; and, of course, they had conference problems caused by board of trustees members who saw more dollar signs in a different neighborhood.
Spetman handled the shenanigans over Big 12 speculation last year poorly, scurrying away from reporters while failing to attack the issue head on. It was Barron who took the lead in making sure the Noles were on board with the recently signed grant of rights, solidifying conference stability, not Spetman.
But that whole episode illustrated a great problem Florida State has faced under Spetman and will continue to face when a new athletic director arrives: The Noles make heaps of cash, yes. But not nearly as much as in-state rival Florida, nor other elite programs the Noles compete with for recruits and championships. Coach Jimbo Fisher has patterned his program after his experiences coaching at LSU and with Nick Saban. But he also knows reality -- he does not have the cash or the resources of a wide variety of those SEC schools.
How then to get there? Finding bigger, better more revenue streams. The best ADs today have mastered that. These days, a background in sales and marketing is almost a must. Having said that, the new AD must also be able to handle the big personalities both Fisher and Barron bring to their respective programs. Florida State needs an athletic director both coaches and Barron can listen to and trust. Fans need to believe in the new AD, too. There never was that belief in Spetman for a variety of reasons.
Essentially, Florida State now needs an AD everybody can rally around for this program to keep moving forward.
Modern ADs know how to connect to fans, to donors, to booster groups. Modern ADs know how to squeeze money out of places where there is no money. Modern ADs come up with innovative revenue streams, to augment the bottom line as programs compete every single day against each other for the biggest budget and, in turn, the biggest facilities.
Randy Spetman was simply not the picture of a modern AD. That is through no fault of his own. Spetman was brought in by another president, during a time of NCAA issues, and was never really seen as a strong leader. Today, athletic departments need strong leaders. Perhaps that is one reason why he is taking on another role, as senior advisor to the athletics department.
[+] Enlarge
Courtesy of D'Vel PhotographyOne of Randy Spetman's achievements as Florida State AD: breaking ground on a new indoor practice facility.
Spetman, however, was putting together a five-year strategic plan for Florida State, to be presented Thursday at a board of trustees meeting. He believed in the plan, and thought that would give him more time. Give Spetman credit for his accomplishments. Florida State has had no NCAA issues since his arrival, a major plus considering the problems that predated him. He got the indoor football practice facility done. And the teams within the athletic department reached unprecedented heights.
But many times over the past several years, Florida State made headlines for issues a stronger AD may have handled better. And many of those issues surrounded one major problem -- money. The Noles had budget problems; they had home attendance problems; and, of course, they had conference problems caused by board of trustees members who saw more dollar signs in a different neighborhood.
Spetman handled the shenanigans over Big 12 speculation last year poorly, scurrying away from reporters while failing to attack the issue head on. It was Barron who took the lead in making sure the Noles were on board with the recently signed grant of rights, solidifying conference stability, not Spetman.
But that whole episode illustrated a great problem Florida State has faced under Spetman and will continue to face when a new athletic director arrives: The Noles make heaps of cash, yes. But not nearly as much as in-state rival Florida, nor other elite programs the Noles compete with for recruits and championships. Coach Jimbo Fisher has patterned his program after his experiences coaching at LSU and with Nick Saban. But he also knows reality -- he does not have the cash or the resources of a wide variety of those SEC schools.
How then to get there? Finding bigger, better more revenue streams. The best ADs today have mastered that. These days, a background in sales and marketing is almost a must. Having said that, the new AD must also be able to handle the big personalities both Fisher and Barron bring to their respective programs. Florida State needs an athletic director both coaches and Barron can listen to and trust. Fans need to believe in the new AD, too. There never was that belief in Spetman for a variety of reasons.
Essentially, Florida State now needs an AD everybody can rally around for this program to keep moving forward.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- It's Rankings Week at Nole Nation, and each day we'll be counting down the top teams, players and matchups of the 2013 season. Next up, a look at FSU's 10 most dangerous defensive opponents.
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This week's targets: Florida State sent out a couple of new offers this week in both the 2013 and 2014 classes.
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Madre London (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas), a running back at a school that has been very good to the Seminoles over the last couple of years, is on the Florida State recruiting radar.
New defensive ends coach Sal Sunseri evaluated London's ability in person and came away impressed. Once the 6-foot-2, 202-pound London picked up the phone and called the staff, he learned just how impressed they were.
New defensive ends coach Sal Sunseri evaluated London's ability in person and came away impressed. Once the 6-foot-2, 202-pound London picked up the phone and called the staff, he learned just how impressed they were.
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Florida State's mission to restock talent on the offensive line doesn't stop on the outside with the tackles. The Seminoles know they will need quality guards and centers to accomplish their mission of having a balanced and productive offense.
The Seminoles' only offensive line commitment, Alec Eberle, happens to call the interior home.
Here's a look at some more of their options for 2014.
The Seminoles' only offensive line commitment, Alec Eberle, happens to call the interior home.
Here's a look at some more of their options for 2014.
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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- It's Rankings Week at Nole Nation, and each day we'll be counting down the top teams, players and matchups of the 2013 season. Next up, a look at FSU's 10 most dangerous offensive opponents.
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For months, Shai McKenzie (Washington, Pa./Washington) has been planning to visit a trio of schools in the South. The 2014 running back finally set those dates a few weeks ago.
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J.C. Jackson's (Immokalee, Fla./Immokalee) flirtation with ending his commitment to Florida State has come to fruition.
On Monday morning, the ESPN 150 athlete confirmed that he and the Seminoles had parted ways.
"Just wanted to keep my options open," Jackson said.
On Monday morning, the ESPN 150 athlete confirmed that he and the Seminoles had parted ways.
"Just wanted to keep my options open," Jackson said.
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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- It's Rankings Week at Nole Nation, and each day we'll be counting down the top teams, players and matchups of the 2013 season. First up, a look at FSU's schedule.
1. Clemson Tigers (Oct. 19 in Clemson, S.C.): There are 11 other games on the schedule, and Florida State can't afford to overlook anyone. But for most fans and prognosticators, the 2013 season comes down to this one. FSU and Clemson figure to be playing for the division title, and Tajh Boyd, Sammy Watkins and an improved Tigers defense will offer plenty of concerns for Jimbo Fisher's crew. The winner of this game has won the Atlantic Division in each of the last four seasons.
2. Florida Gators (Nov. 30 in Gainesville, Fla.): Last year's debacle in Tallahassee might have been FSU's ugliest game of the year, and the task won't get any easier this time around when the Seminoles close out the season on the road in Gainesville. If FSU can protect the football better than it did a year ago it has a chance, but that tough Gators defense might be the biggest test Jameis Winston will face all year.
1. Clemson Tigers (Oct. 19 in Clemson, S.C.): There are 11 other games on the schedule, and Florida State can't afford to overlook anyone. But for most fans and prognosticators, the 2013 season comes down to this one. FSU and Clemson figure to be playing for the division title, and Tajh Boyd, Sammy Watkins and an improved Tigers defense will offer plenty of concerns for Jimbo Fisher's crew. The winner of this game has won the Atlantic Division in each of the last four seasons.
2. Florida Gators (Nov. 30 in Gainesville, Fla.): Last year's debacle in Tallahassee might have been FSU's ugliest game of the year, and the task won't get any easier this time around when the Seminoles close out the season on the road in Gainesville. If FSU can protect the football better than it did a year ago it has a chance, but that tough Gators defense might be the biggest test Jameis Winston will face all year.
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Target: Safety Trey Marshall (Lake City, Fla./Columbia), 6-foot, 193 pounds
Status: Undeclared
Offers: Arkansas, Florida International, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisville, Miami, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, South Florida, Tennessee, Vanderbilt and West Virginia
Status: Undeclared
Offers: Arkansas, Florida International, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisville, Miami, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, South Florida, Tennessee, Vanderbilt and West Virginia
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Fifth-ranked player narrows to 10 schools 
June, 2, 2013
Jun 2
11:27
PM ET
By
Tom VanHaaren and
Erik McKinney | ESPN.com
Defensive back Adoree' Jackson (Gardena, Calif./Junipero Serra), the No. 5-ranked prospect in the ESPN 150, has narrowed his list to 10 schools.
Florida, Florida State, Illinois, LSU, Michigan, Notre Dame, Oklahoma State, Tennessee, UCLA and USC all made the cut, Jackson told ESPN's RecruitingNation in a text message.
Jackson, the second-ranked cornerback in the country, is planning visits to Illinois, Tennessee, Michigan and Notre Dame over the summer. He doesn't have a timeline for his decision, but this cut gets him closer to his final choice.
Jackson breaks them down
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ABOUT NOLE NATION
David Hale
David Hale joined ESPN.com in 2012 after covering the Philadelphia Phillies for The News Journal in Wilmington, Del., and the University of Georgia for The Macon (Ga.) Telegraph. Hale has written about college and professional sports since 2004. He currently lives in Tallahassee, Fla., and can be reached at davidmhale@gmail.com.
Corey Dowlar
Corey Dowlar joined ESPN.com in 2012 after covering Florida State and South Florida athletics for 247Sports.com and Rivals.com. Dowlar has written about Florida State sports and recruiting since 2007. He currently lives in Clearwater, Fla., and can be reached at cdowlar@gmail.com.