FSU Seminoles

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, a position where the scheme might be as much in question as the personnel: Linebacker.

Current scholarship linebackers (11): Reggie Northrup (So.), Terrance Smith (RSSo.), Nigel Terrell (RSJr.), Christian Jones (Sr.), Markus Uligwe (RFr.), Telvin Smith (Sr.), Matthew Thomas (Fr.), Freddie Stevenson (Fr.), Tyrell Lyons (Fr.), E.J. Levenberry (Fr.), Ro'Derrick Hoskins (Fr.)

Potential early departures: FSU brings a talented group of five freshmen into the fold this season, and several -- Thomas in particular -- have NFL potential, but at this point, none of the younger players have enough experience to appear likely to leave early.

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With national signing day now beyond us, NoleNation takes a closer look at the next crop of Seminoles.

Vitals: Linebacker Ro'Derrick Hoskins (Orlando, Fla./Evans), 6-foot-3, 215 pounds.

Committed: Feb. 25, 2012.

ESPN.com grade: 83, four-star prospect.

ESPN.com rankings: No. 14 outside linebacker in the country, No. 79 player in the Southeast region, No. 35 player in the state of Florida and No. 168 in the ESPN 300.

Picked Florida State over: Auburn and Louisville.

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As it is virtually every year on national signing day, there were some big hits for Florida State, and there were a few tough misses, too. Overall, Jimbo Fisher and his new-look coaching staff have to consider the Class of 2013 a big win given the immense chaos that has ensued with six assistants leaving since Dec. 1. Most key commitments held strong, and a few late arrivals turned a solid class into one that cracked the top 10 in ESPN's national rankings.

Of course, rankings aren't everything. A lot of the success or failure of a class is based on a team's needs, and on that front, there were also a few highlights and a few noticeable problems. Here's how it breaks down.

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Who is leaving: Florida State is losing three top-flight defensive ends to the NFL draft this season, led by draft-eligible junior Bjoern Werner. Senior Tank Carradine's stock would have been much higher if not for a late knee injury in the regular season finale against Florida. Brandon Jenkins, who was lost for most of the 2012 season because of a foot injury, will also be heading to the pros.

The offensive line only loses one player, junior Menelik Watson, but it is a big one. He's likely to go in the first couple of rounds and had a major impact for Florida State in just one season.

Xavier Rhodes is the lone corner departing, but it's also a big one. Aside from Rhodes, the secondary will return largely intact.

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ESPN 300 linebacker and Florida State pledge Ro'derrick Hoskins (Orlando, Fla./Evans) got to meet some new friends and new coaches during his official visit over the weekend.

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Florida State will host a bunch of top visitors this weekend in what is likely their biggest and busiest of the year. Here is the breakdown of who is visiting and why it is important.

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Now through most of the regular season, Florida State's commitments are hitting the home stretch with one eye on the playoffs and the other trained on finishing out district play. Here are five top performers from this week, regardless of class.

Levonte Whitfield (Orlando, Fla./Jones): A fixture this season in the commitment performance watch, Whitfield again put up some big numbers this week. Showing off his superior speed, he took two kickoff returns back for touchdowns. Offensively, he racked up 120 yards receiving on five catches. He finished the night with four total touchdowns.

Ro'derrick Hoskins (Orlando, Fla./Evans): Hoskins led the way for the Evans' defense from his linebacker spot to make eight stops this week. He also showed proper positioning by being in the right place at the right time to return a fumble 15 yards for a defensive score. Like Whitfield, Hoskins has frequented the performance watch.

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Florida State's commitments are having big campaigns as the high school season is nearly halfway complete. Here are some prospects who had exceptional weekends.

Tyrell Lyons (Jacksonville, Fla./First Coast): The four-star outside linebacker commitment racked up seven tackles in his game this week against Yulee and future Alabama RB commit Derrick Henry, showing a willingness to get to the ball and make a play. First Coast's defense has some playmakers on it, so tackles, by default, are not easy to come by. Both Daniel McMillian and Sherrod Pittman, other starting linebackers, get their fair share as well.

E.J. Levenberry (Woodbridge, Va/Hylton): The nation's No. 12 inside linebacker prospect turned in another solid performance on Friday. Levenberry racked up nine tackles, showing his toughness against the run and also recorded an interception. The 6-foot-3, 230-pound linebacker is an ESPN 300 prospect.

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Florida State's commitments are having big campaigns as the high school season is nearly halfway complete. Here are some prospects who had exceptional weekends.

Davin Bellamy: The former basketball star has really begun to find himself with each passing week. Without a ton of experience playing defensive line in high school, every game has been a learning experience. This past Friday, Bellamy was responsible for two quarterback sacks, six tackles, a pass break-up and a fumble return for a touchdown. Not a bad night's work.

Adrian Baker: ESPN 300 athlete Adrian Baker held his own against University School, a top team in the state of Florida, this week. He recorded four tackles and a catch on offense. He did allow a 10-yard reception from four-star receiver Jordan Cunningham, but there are many defensive backs that would be willing to admit that.

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ESPN's NoleNation takes a look at some of Florida State's commitments who have garnered accolades from publications around the country.

RB Ryan Green

5-10/187 (St. Petersburg, Fla./St. Petersburg Catholic)
• Named the No. 2 player in the Tampa Bay area by the Tampa Bay Times.

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ESPN's revised recruiting rankings were released Thursday, and there aren't many changes among the 17 players already committed to Florida State for 2013.

Ten of FSU's commitments remain in the ESPN 300, though wide receiver Tony Stevens (Orlando, Fla./Evans) dropped out of the ESPN 150.

Overall, Florida State ranks fifth nationally for the work coach Jimbo Fisher and his staff have already done on the recruiting trail, and a few big fish remain in the pond.

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