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FSU Football: Top Five ‘Sleeper’ Recruits Under Jimbo Fisher

By Kelvin Hunt

Oct 10, 2015; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles head coach Jimbo Fisher smiles as he waves to fans after their game against the Miami Hurricanes at Doak Campbell Stadium. The Florida State Seminoles won 29-24. Mandatory Credit: Phil Sears-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2015; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles head coach Jimbo Fisher smiles as he waves to fans after their game against the Miami Hurricanes at Doak Campbell Stadium. The Florida State Seminoles won 29-24. Mandatory Credit: Phil Sears-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 19, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders tackle Menelik Watson (71) reacts before the game against the Arizona Cardinals at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Menelik Watson was a four-star recruit who came to FSU football in the 2012 recruiting class after playing only one year of college football at Saddleback College.

Watson was rated as one of the best junior college offensive tackles, but had not played much football since he wasn’t introduced to the sport until he arrived in America from Great Britain.

Watson grew up playing basketball and actually played Division I basketball at Marist College in New York where he became team captain. He also tried his hand at boxing for a short stint.

FSU was getting a great athlete with his rating based on athletic ability and potential. However, it’s the story on how Watson got to FSU that got him on this list more than anything.

Watson’s junior college coach practically begged FSU offensive line coach Rick Trickett to come see Watson play. Trickett wound up going, but to see another kid and finally got to see Watson in person and the rest is history.

Watson only played one season at FSU and started 12 of 13 games. He went on to become a second round pick of the Oakland Raiders in the 2013 NFL Draft.

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