FSU Seminoles: John Franklin
With national signing day now behind us, NoleNation takes a closer look at the next crop of Seminoles.
Vitals: Dual-threat quarterback John Franklin (Plantation, Fla./South Plantation), 6-foot-1, 170 pounds.
Committed: Nov. 1, 2012.
Vitals: Dual-threat quarterback John Franklin (Plantation, Fla./South Plantation), 6-foot-1, 170 pounds.
Committed: Nov. 1, 2012.
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State of the Noles: Quarterbacks 
February, 11, 2013
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By NoleNation Staff | ESPN.com
When it comes to recruiting, coaches need to be 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 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.
First up is perhaps the most loaded and discussed position on the roster: Quarterback.
With that in mind, 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.
First up is perhaps the most loaded and discussed position on the roster: Quarterback.
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FSU salvages solid class despite shakeups
February, 6, 2013
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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.
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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.
Visits ending for three-star QB Franklin
January, 20, 2013
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By
Corey Dowlar | ESPN.com
Three-star quarterback John Franklin (Plantation, Fla./South Plantation) had some doubts about his college choice after last weekend.
Following an official visit to Tennessee, Franklin liked what the Volunteers had to offer. On his way to Florida State on Friday, he wasn't sure what to expect.
Following an official visit to Tennessee, Franklin liked what the Volunteers had to offer. On his way to Florida State on Friday, he wasn't sure what to expect.
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Coley highlights FSU's weekend visitors
January, 18, 2013
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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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Wilson looking forward to official visit
December, 19, 2012
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By
Corey Dowlar | ESPN.com
Last week, Jesus Wilson (Miami/Columbus) had wide receivers coach Lawrence Dawsey drop by the school to see how things were going.
It is all part of a budding relationship between a position coach and a four-star player.
"We have a great relationship," Wilson said. "He helped recruit me and me and all of the coaches have a great relationship. I talk to him and we continue to bond and he tells me just to get ready to come in and work hard."
It is all part of a budding relationship between a position coach and a four-star player.
"We have a great relationship," Wilson said. "He helped recruit me and me and all of the coaches have a great relationship. I talk to him and we continue to bond and he tells me just to get ready to come in and work hard."
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Franklin hoping to make weekend visit
November, 20, 2012
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By
Corey Dowlar | ESPN.com
If all the logistics work out, Florida State commitment John Franklin (Plantation, Fla./South Plantation) will be on an official visit this weekend.
But those plans aren't exactly firmly in place yet. If they do fall through, his trip will be delayed by a month or so.
"We are waiting to see if there is an open hotel room," Franklin said. "If there isn't one, I will probably just wait until January or December.
But those plans aren't exactly firmly in place yet. If they do fall through, his trip will be delayed by a month or so.
"We are waiting to see if there is an open hotel room," Franklin said. "If there isn't one, I will probably just wait until January or December.
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Franklin wastes no time, commits to FSU
November, 1, 2012
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By
Corey Dowlar | ESPN.com
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."
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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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.