FSU Seminoles

The Longhorns have jumped into the Alex Collins sweepstakes later than most, but the No. 57 player in the ESPN 150 is all for giving Texas a fair shot at winning his commitment.

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Let's face it, things weren't going great for Florida State of late on the recruiting trail. Well, up until Monday night, anyway.

Amidst all of the turmoil that comes with multiple coaching changes -- and the loss of top recruiters at that -- the Seminoles had slipped a little bit. The class wasn't in a position to be in the top five, to which FSU fans have become accustomed in the last few years.

Florida State needed something big, something unexpected and something positive.

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FULLERTON, Calif. -- Running back Alex Collins (Plantation, Fla./South Plantation) has plenty of options when it comes to a future school, which isn’t exactly making the recruiting process an easy one for the 5-foot-11, 195-pound ESPN 150 prospect.

Arkansas, Florida, Florida State, Miami, Tennessee and Wisconsin are the six schools remaining for Collins, and the senior said all six are on equal footing at this point.

“A lot of people wonder what is my leading school, but there is no leader. I'm neutral toward each school," Collins said. "I want to take my last two official visits and then make my decision after that."

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DISCOVER ORANGE BOWL

Florida State (11-2, 7-1) vs. Northern Illinois (12-1, 8-0)

Where: Miami

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Christmas, for many, is a time to gather with close friends and family, eat way too much, catch up on all the happenings and exchange gifts.

But, for a moment, let's imagine what presents would reside underneath a Florida State fan's Christmas tree on Tuesday morning.

With Ryan Green (St. Petersburg, Fla./St. Petersburg Catholic) already on board, ESPN 150 running back Alex Collins (Plantation, Fla./South Plantation) would be the perfect icing on the cake at the tailback position. At one point, FSU fans would have expected to unwrap this gift with little surprise, but the road to his signature has become less clear.

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NoleNation addresses questions from the fan base about Florida State recruiting as we head toward national signing day.

ktruba asks, "What committed recruits out there are the most critical to FSU at snagging for the 2013 class?"

Dowlar: For me, the top remaining guy is Matthew Thomas. He is an instant impact guy at the linebacker position and Florida State has been all over him for a long time now. The Seminoles are probably the leader in the clubhouse, and from that position, they can't afford to lose him.

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At first glance, this year's Florida State recruiting class lacks the star power of the two before it. That isn't to say it is void of quality, though. But Seminoles do have some offensive firepower on the list, notably four-star prospects Ryan Green, Isaiah Jones, and Levonte Whitfield. In the trenches, which has been an area of focus for the Seminoles coaching state in recent cycles, offensive linemen Austin Golson and Ira Denson and defensive end Davin Bellamy have them off to a good start.

Sitting at 17 total commitments, there is still work to do. But fortunately for FSU, there are some excellent options.

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ESPN 300 running back Alex Collins (Plantation, Fla./South Plantation) has decommitted from Miami, South Plantation head coach Doug Gatewood has confirmed.

Collins, who originally committed to the Hurricanes in January, is still considering Miami despite his decision to open things up. Both Florida State and Wisconsin are in the mix.

The Seminoles have been heavily linked with Collins having already gotten an official visit from the tailback in October. Wisconsin, too, has gotten an official visit during the first weekend in October. The Seminoles also picked up a commitment from 2013 QB prospect John Franklin, Collins' teammate at South Plantation.

Collins has been unavailable for comment.

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John Franklin (Plantation, Fla./South Plantation) said he was going to make a decision soon. Well, he wasn't kidding.

Just 24 hours after learning of an offer from Florida State, Franklin decided to accept the invitation to join the class of 2013.

"When we started the recruiting process, he was pretty adamant that he wanted to be a quarterback," South Plantation head coach Doug Gatewood said. "Because of Alex [Collins], he doesn't have prolific numbers. Alex has 2,000 yards, John isn't going to throw for 2,000 yards. He doesn't have prolific numbers, but what John is, he's a no-brainer. He is 6-2, 170 pounds, he has a 4.0 GPA, 20 ACT, they aren't going to miss with him anywhere. He's not going to hurt the program. He will fit in athletically some place on your team."

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Alex Collins (Plantation, Fla./South Plantation) took part in the morning session of the Jimbo Fisher Camp wearing normal camper attire. But when he took to the fields in the afternoon, his previous outfit was replaced by Florida State gear from head to toe.

The four-star Miami commitment, who is rumored to be heavily considering a switch to the Seminoles, downplayed the change, but did reveal his interest.

"I don't think too much about it," said Collins. "I like Florida State, I bought their clothes and I just wear it. It doesn't have a meaning to it, I am just working out in it."

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