FSU Commits Shine in All-America Games

FSU fans got a nice boost this weekend following the Seminoles’ 59-20 loss to the Oregon Ducks in Thursday’s College Football Playoff Rose Bowl semifinal. For after Florida State’s 29-game win streak became a thing of the past, the ‘Noles got a nice look at the future– and the future is bright.

The Under Armour All-America Game got things going on Friday from Orlando. A whopping nine FSU commits populated the rosters, although one did not play, as Josh Sweat, the country’s top defensive end, is still recovering from an ACL injury.

Plenty of other future ‘Noles picked up the slack, though. All three of Florida State’s 2015 quarterback commits played in the game, just not necessary behind center. That’s because Kai Locksley, who’s quickly earning a classification as more of a stellar athlete than solely that of a talented quarterback, practiced all week and played as a wide receiver– and looked good doing so. Locksley had just one catch, but he demonstrated great body control and looked very natural going up for the ball to make a nice catch on his 36-yard reception.

Quarterback Deondre Francois looked spectacular through the air, going 4-4 for 103 yards and a touchdown. His best sequence came when he connected with FSU WR commit George Campbell on a perfectly thrown deep ball for 66-yards. Campbell looks very comfortable with his imposing 6-3 184-pound frame, which is not always the case with players his age. A play later, Francois displayed a deft touch once again in finding his tight end for a score.

De’Andre Johnson had a solid night as well. He went 4-9 for 55 yards, and was the only QB on Team Armour to have any real consistent success running the offense. Johnson has a rocket for an arm and also led his team in rushing.

Recent receiver commit Da’Vante Phillips led Team Highlight in catches, with three, and has many FSU fans comparing him to former ‘Nole Anquan Boldin because of the way he uses his impressive frame to keep his body between the ball and his defender. He displayed this very nicely on his touchdown catch.

Offensive lineman Abdul Bello got the start at left tackle for Team Highlight and looked really good. He uses his feet very well and doesn’t rely too much on his stout 6-6 295 frame, which can be a tendency of players used to being so much bigger than their opponents. Bello looks like a top-notch get for the ‘Noles.

Running back Jacques Patrick didn’t have much of a chance to show off his talents, as the Team Armour offensive line let players like FSU-target Byron Cowart penetrate their backfield repeatedly. Patrick finished with just nine yards on four carries, but, again, this wasn’t at all his fault.

Defensively, safety Derwin James kept things in front of him nicely, and continues to invite comparisons to Jalen Ramsey. This was never more the case than on an interception return on which James utterly destroyed a pursuing tackler with a great block, reminiscent of the effort Ramsey authored on Terrance Smith’s pick-six against Florida.

The US Army All-America game followed on Saturday afternoon from San Antonio, Texas. FSU had less representation in this game, but still factored largely in the result, thanks primarily to cornerback Tarvarus McFadden. McFadden accounted for a tackle, intercepted a pass that he ran back 22 yards, and also registered 149 yards in kick-return yardage, including a thrilling 87-yard return for a touchdown on which he displayed blazing speed. When McFadden found pay dirt, he let his Seminole flag fly, doing the Chop as he ran through the end zone.

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Fellow defensive back Calvin Brewton and Sh’mar linebacker Kilby-Lane were not credited with any tackles, and running back Johnny Frasier, while still technically a Florida State commit, looks all but gone amid rumors that he’d prefer to stay closer to his North Carolina home. Frasier did not join the other three commits in donning FSU caps during a pre-game spot and is also not included with the FSU trio in a post-game pic. Frasier had just one yard on one rush and a reception for -3 yards.

Many are speculating that if and when Frasier does decommit, Miami commit Jordan Scarlett could flip to the ‘Noles. Scarlett had a rough day, with three rushes for -9 yards and three fumbles, but in all fairness, two of those came on handoffs that were placed on his hip.