FSU Seminoles: Wilson Bell
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- After three months of change on the roster and the coaching staff, Florida State finally took the field last week to begin spring practice. While it’s tough to tell too much from just a few days of shaking off the rust, a few key storylines did emerge. Here’s a look back at what we learned from the first week of practice for the 2013 Seminoles:
1. Six coaches definitely make a difference.
Fisher assured that Florida State's core philosophies wouldn't change just because there are six new assistant coaches overseeing practice, but the new assistants brought a much different feel to the proceedings in the first few days. From Randy Sanders keeping his eye on the QB competition to Sal Sunseri's booming voice reverberating across the practice fields, players certainly had to make a few adjustments to their new coaches. "They're probably in there saying, 'Boy, the man is crazy,' " Sunseri said after the first day of workouts.
Players said some terminology is new, and Telvin Smith suggested the defense planned on playing more aggressively under Pruitt, too. But until FSU hits the field in September, we might not fully know just how big an impact this new staff will have.
1. Six coaches definitely make a difference.
Fisher assured that Florida State's core philosophies wouldn't change just because there are six new assistant coaches overseeing practice, but the new assistants brought a much different feel to the proceedings in the first few days. From Randy Sanders keeping his eye on the QB competition to Sal Sunseri's booming voice reverberating across the practice fields, players certainly had to make a few adjustments to their new coaches. "They're probably in there saying, 'Boy, the man is crazy,' " Sunseri said after the first day of workouts.
Players said some terminology is new, and Telvin Smith suggested the defense planned on playing more aggressively under Pruitt, too. But until FSU hits the field in September, we might not fully know just how big an impact this new staff will have.
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From the impending quarterback competition to finding replacements for departing juniors, Jimbo Fisher will have his work cut out for him during the next few months as he lays the groundwork for 2013.
With that in mind, we're going position by position looking at Florida State's strengths and weaknesses as the Seminoles prepare for the start of spring practice.
Previous entries can be found here.
Next up: Offensive Line
2012 recap: If success is determined as a matter of perspective, then 2012 was a tremendous accomplishment for the Florida State offensive line. It's not that the unit was dominant -- though at times, it was exceptional -- but rather that it came so far from the unmitigated disaster of 2011. Only center Bryan Stork was a holdover from the previous season's regular starters, while guards Tre Jackson and Josue Matias built on the foundation they laid in the 2011 bowl game. But it was the arrival of right tackle Menelik Watson and left tackle Cameron Erving that made the biggest impact. Overall, the line helped FSU to nearly double its rushing total from the previous season while trimming the number of sacks allowed from an ACC-worst 40 to a much more respectable 26.
With that in mind, we're going position by position looking at Florida State's strengths and weaknesses as the Seminoles prepare for the start of spring practice.
Previous entries can be found here.
Next up: Offensive Line
2012 recap: If success is determined as a matter of perspective, then 2012 was a tremendous accomplishment for the Florida State offensive line. It's not that the unit was dominant -- though at times, it was exceptional -- but rather that it came so far from the unmitigated disaster of 2011. Only center Bryan Stork was a holdover from the previous season's regular starters, while guards Tre Jackson and Josue Matias built on the foundation they laid in the 2011 bowl game. But it was the arrival of right tackle Menelik Watson and left tackle Cameron Erving that made the biggest impact. Overall, the line helped FSU to nearly double its rushing total from the previous season while trimming the number of sacks allowed from an ACC-worst 40 to a much more respectable 26.
NoleNation looked at the state of the Seminoles, going position by position to review the depth on the current roster and determine FSU's strengths and weaknesses going forward. And while a lot can change in the next few seasons, a few players figure to be front and center in Florida State's future success. Here's a look at the players who should play the biggest roles in determining FSU's fate in each of the next three seasons.
2013
Devonta Freeman -- The running game made huge strides in 2012, and Freeman was solid down the stretch after Chris Thompson's injury. Consistency was the bigger issue, and with a first-year starter at quarterback in 2013, FSU's offense will need to rely on Freeman every week.
Mario Edwards Jr. -- There's no doubting Edwards' potential, and he certainly looked the part of a future star in his two-game trial run as FSU's starting defensive end last season. But things will be different in 2013 as Edwards won't have the luxury of Bjoern Werner commanding double teams on the other side of the line. He'll need to step up and become the centerpiece of FSU's pass rush.
Bobby Hart -- Jimbo Fisher has some options at right tackle, so it's not as if the offensive line's success or failure will all fall on Hart's shoulders, but life could be made a lot easier -- both in the short term and down the road -- if Hart could maximize his enormous potential in 2013 and be a suitable replacement for Menelik Watson.
2013
Devonta Freeman -- The running game made huge strides in 2012, and Freeman was solid down the stretch after Chris Thompson's injury. Consistency was the bigger issue, and with a first-year starter at quarterback in 2013, FSU's offense will need to rely on Freeman every week.
Mario Edwards Jr. -- There's no doubting Edwards' potential, and he certainly looked the part of a future star in his two-game trial run as FSU's starting defensive end last season. But things will be different in 2013 as Edwards won't have the luxury of Bjoern Werner commanding double teams on the other side of the line. He'll need to step up and become the centerpiece of FSU's pass rush.
Bobby Hart -- Jimbo Fisher has some options at right tackle, so it's not as if the offensive line's success or failure will all fall on Hart's shoulders, but life could be made a lot easier -- both in the short term and down the road -- if Hart could maximize his enormous potential in 2013 and be a suitable replacement for Menelik Watson.
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State of the Noles: Offensive Tackle 
February, 20, 2013
Feb 20
8:30
AM ET
By NoleNation Staff | ESPN.com
NoleNation writers David Hale and Corey Dowlar are going position by position, looking at what FSU has on its roster now, and who might provide reinforcements down the line, projecting starters and evaluating the depth through 2015.
Up next, one of the biggest long-term needs for FSU: Offensive tackle.
Current scholarship offensive tackles (4): Cameron Erving (RJr.), Henry Orelus (RSSr.), Bobby Hart (Jr.), Wilson Bell (Fr.)
Potential early departures: The buzz surrounding Erving in his first season on the offensive line in 2012 was immense, making an early exit for the NFL a possibility. But throughout the year, he showed he still needed time to develop. He has the physical talent for the next level, but it remains to be seen if he'll be ready by the end of 2013.
Up next, one of the biggest long-term needs for FSU: Offensive tackle.
Current scholarship offensive tackles (4): Cameron Erving (RJr.), Henry Orelus (RSSr.), Bobby Hart (Jr.), Wilson Bell (Fr.)
Potential early departures: The buzz surrounding Erving in his first season on the offensive line in 2012 was immense, making an early exit for the NFL a possibility. But throughout the year, he showed he still needed time to develop. He has the physical talent for the next level, but it remains to be seen if he'll be ready by the end of 2013.
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State of the Noles: Guards and Centers
February, 18, 2013
Feb 18
8:30
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By NoleNation Staff | ESPN.com
When it comes to recruiting, coaches are always thinking long-term. It's not just about which holes must be filled immediately, but rather where the needs might be in two or three more years.
With that in mind, NoleNation writers David Hale and Corey Dowlar are going through each position, looking at what FSU has on its roster now, and who might provide reinforcements down the line, projecting starters and evaluating the depth through 2015.
Up next, a look at the interior of FSU's offensive line: Guards and centers.
Current scholarship Guards/Centers (11): Tre Jackson (Jr.), Ruben Carter (RSSo.), Josue Matias (Jr.), Daniel Foose (RSJr.), Trey Pettis (RSSo.), Garrett Faircloth (RSSr.), Ira Denson (Fr.), Sterling Lovelady (Jr.), Bryan Stork (Sr.), Austin Barron (Jr.), Ryan Hoefeld (Fr.)
With that in mind, NoleNation writers David Hale and Corey Dowlar are going through each position, looking at what FSU has on its roster now, and who might provide reinforcements down the line, projecting starters and evaluating the depth through 2015.
Up next, a look at the interior of FSU's offensive line: Guards and centers.
Current scholarship Guards/Centers (11): Tre Jackson (Jr.), Ruben Carter (RSSo.), Josue Matias (Jr.), Daniel Foose (RSJr.), Trey Pettis (RSSo.), Garrett Faircloth (RSSr.), Ira Denson (Fr.), Sterling Lovelady (Jr.), Bryan Stork (Sr.), Austin Barron (Jr.), Ryan Hoefeld (Fr.)
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FSU salvages solid class despite shakeups
February, 6, 2013
Feb 6
6:12
PM ET
By
David M. Hale | ESPN.com
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Jimbo Fisher has spent the past two months selling his program to a class he couldn't have known would come together so well in the end. Amid chaos in the coaching staff and a bevy of last-minute shifts, Fisher was the man in the middle of the action, assuring his 2013 commitments that the program was in good hands, and their futures remained bright at Florida State.
When the dust settled, Fisher beamed.
"It think it was a great day," he said after Wednesday's final letter of intent came across the fax machine. "I'm very proud of our class. We hit a little bit of every position throughout the whole class."
This wasn't another sales pitch. This was as honest an evaluation of Florida State's take on national signing day as Fisher could muster.
No, FSU didn't hold together the entirety of the class it had assembled before six assistant coaches left for greener pastures. Yes, Fisher lost out on some key battles for recruits. Some needs were met, others fell a bit short.
But after a whirlwind six weeks in which Fisher was both assembling a staff and a recruiting class, sometimes nearly singlehandedly, the end result was about as good as he could have hoped for.
Florida State landed 22 players -- though offensive lineman Richy Klepal isn't expected to play for the team for medical reasons -- and ended the afternoon with ESPN's No. 9 overall signing class.
When the dust settled, Fisher beamed.
[+] Enlarge
Steve Mitchell/USA TODAY SportsThe Noles highlight of signing day might have been when the nation's No. 1-ranked linebacker, Matthew Thomas, announced he'd join the class.
Steve Mitchell/USA TODAY SportsThe Noles highlight of signing day might have been when the nation's No. 1-ranked linebacker, Matthew Thomas, announced he'd join the class.This wasn't another sales pitch. This was as honest an evaluation of Florida State's take on national signing day as Fisher could muster.
No, FSU didn't hold together the entirety of the class it had assembled before six assistant coaches left for greener pastures. Yes, Fisher lost out on some key battles for recruits. Some needs were met, others fell a bit short.
But after a whirlwind six weeks in which Fisher was both assembling a staff and a recruiting class, sometimes nearly singlehandedly, the end result was about as good as he could have hoped for.
Florida State landed 22 players -- though offensive lineman Richy Klepal isn't expected to play for the team for medical reasons -- and ended the afternoon with ESPN's No. 9 overall signing class.
Wilson Bell's (Prichard, Ala./M.T. Blount) roller-coaster recruitment finally pulled into the station and reached its conclusion on Wednesday.
After nabbing offers from Auburn, Florida State and Ole Miss in January, the three-star offensive lineman was suddenly faced with a difficult decision. After having taken an official visit to all three schools, and decommitted from UCF, he chose the Seminoles over the two other finalists.
Florida State's sports information department confirmed that Bell's national letter of intent had been received.
While on his visit to Tallahassee, Bell was compared to Rodney Hudson, an underrated offensive lineman from Alabama who went on to be a second-round draft pick to the Kansas City Chiefs.
"They compared me to Rodney Hudson and told me all about his work ethic and the way he came out with low offers into an incredible player, one of the most decorated players that ever played there," he said.
That, combined with his quickly developed relationship with the coaches, won him over.
At 6-foot-4, it is unclear whether Florida State intends to use him as a guard or a tackle on the offensive line.
After nabbing offers from Auburn, Florida State and Ole Miss in January, the three-star offensive lineman was suddenly faced with a difficult decision. After having taken an official visit to all three schools, and decommitted from UCF, he chose the Seminoles over the two other finalists.
Florida State's sports information department confirmed that Bell's national letter of intent had been received.
While on his visit to Tallahassee, Bell was compared to Rodney Hudson, an underrated offensive lineman from Alabama who went on to be a second-round draft pick to the Kansas City Chiefs.
"They compared me to Rodney Hudson and told me all about his work ethic and the way he came out with low offers into an incredible player, one of the most decorated players that ever played there," he said.
That, combined with his quickly developed relationship with the coaches, won him over.
At 6-foot-4, it is unclear whether Florida State intends to use him as a guard or a tackle on the offensive line.
NoleNation gives its picks for national signing day. Who ends up where?
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Wilson Bell previews Wednesday decision
February, 4, 2013
Feb 4
8:54
PM ET
By
Corey Dowlar | ESPN.com
Wilson Bell (Prichard, Ala./M.T. Blount) has had one crazy month.
A former UCF commitment, it was smooth sailing for a long time in the three-star offensive guard's recruitment process. That was before three major offers came in all at once.
A former UCF commitment, it was smooth sailing for a long time in the three-star offensive guard's recruitment process. That was before three major offers came in all at once.
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Three-star offensive guard Wilson Bell (Prichard, Ala./M.T. Blount) hasn't been shy about saying Auburn was his favorite school growing up.
An offer from the Tigers didn't come until very recently though, leaving Bell mulling his options a little more closely than he maybe would have otherwise.
An offer from the Tigers didn't come until very recently though, leaving Bell mulling his options a little more closely than he maybe would have otherwise.
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UCF commitment Wilson Bell (Prichard, Ala./M.T. Blount) was at Florida State over the weekend to see his new offer for himself.
The 6-foot-4, 290-pound offensive lineman, a player of need for the Seminoles, came away with a good impression.
The 6-foot-4, 290-pound offensive lineman, a player of need for the Seminoles, came away with a good impression.
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Coley highlights FSU's weekend visitors
January, 18, 2013
Jan 18
7:00
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By
Corey Dowlar | ESPN.com
Florida State will host their second crop of January official visitors beginning on Friday. While it isn't as large or as important of a weekend as the previous one, some of these visitors could likely end up in the haul on national signing day.
Here’s a look at those who are scheduled to be in Tallahassee.
Here’s a look at those who are scheduled to be in Tallahassee.
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As teams continue to sort out their classes right before signing day, it isn't unusual to see runs made on individual prospects that hadn't previously received many offers.
Wilson Bell (Prichard, Ala./M.T. Blount), a UCF commitment, had his fair share. But in the span of a week, he picked up three from BCS conference schools.
Wilson Bell (Prichard, Ala./M.T. Blount), a UCF commitment, had his fair share. But in the span of a week, he picked up three from BCS conference schools.
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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.