Top FSU Football Players All Time From Across The Southeast

FSU football has been able to get some of the top recruits from across the Southeast over time – here are some of the best to play for the Seminoles.

While FSU football has obviously had plenty of success recruiting the state of Florida, the Seminoles have made sure to spread the recruiting love across the southeastern portion of the United States. From Georgia to North Carolina and Alabama to Mississippi, the Noles have been a regional attraction for some of the top prep stars in the entire region.

Each season, the Florida State roster has been littered from players outside of the Sunshine State – including a group of players that have won individual awards, Heisman Trophies and national titles during their time in Tallahassee. It’s a list that includes top draft picks and players who have seen their numbers retired to celebrate what they did on the field.

But just which of those players were the best of the best? Here is a look at who we think are the top five players in FSU football history from across the Southeast.

No. 5 – DE Peter Boulware (Columbia, SC Spring Valley)

After a senior prep season where he was named one of the top 50 athletes in the entire country, Boulware arrived in Tallahassee and made an immediate impact once he got on the field. After having 15 sacks his first two seasons of playing, Boulware had a school record 19 during his 1996 season while being named the ACC and National Defensive Player of the Year and a consensus All-American.

No. 4 – DT Ron Simmons (Warner Robins, GA)

One of the top defensive linemen from the Peach State, Simmons angered many when he decided to come play for Bobby Bowden and the Seminoles. FSU football fans loved what he did, anchoring a defense that led Florida State to an undefeated regular season in 1979 and the first of back to back Orange Bowl berths while being named a consensus All-American both seasons and eventually having his jersey number retired in 1988.

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No. 3 – RB Warrick Dunn (Baton Rouge, LA Catholic)

It’s hard to find a better person – both on and off the field – than the man who came from the Bayou and arrived in Tallahassee for a memorable career with the Seminoles. After winning the national championship as a freshman, Dunn rushed for over 1,000 yards each of his final three years to become the school’s all-time leading rusher for close to two decades. He was a three time first team All-ACC player and second team All-American in 1996 before having his jersey retired.

No. 2 – QB Jameis Winston (Hueytown, AL)

After being the number one rated quarterback out of high school, Winston arrived in Tallahassee with some wondering if he would live up to that hype. He didn’t disappoint, leading FSU football to their third national championship in 2013 while throwing for over 4,000 yards and 40 touchdowns and winning every award from the Heisman to the Walter Camp. The numbers went down slightly the following season, but he still won the ACC Championship and helped FSU football earn a spot in the inaugural College Football Playoff.

No. 1 – QB Charlie Ward (Thomasville, GA Thomas County Central)

It takes a lot to top someone like Jameis Winston on any list – but there would likely be no Jameis had there not been a Charlie Ward to come through Tallahassee decades before. Originally the team’s punter, he finally took over at quarterback in 1992 and then had a magical 1993 season. That year, he led the Seminoles to their first ever national title while basically winning almost every award he could – Heisman, Maxwell, Walter Camp, Johnny Unitas, ACC Player of the Year and Athlete of the Year, etc. – and is still regarded as one of the best ever.

Honorable Mention: OT Alex Barron (Orangeburg, SC Wilkinson), CB Terrell Buckley (Pascagoula, MS), C Rodney Hudson (Mobile, AL Rain), OT Walter Jones (Aliceville, AL / Holmes (MS) Community College), DB Jalen Ramsey (Brentwood, TN Academy), C Clay Shriver (Tifton, GA Tift County)