FSU Football: Could Several True Freshman Make 2017 Starting Lineup?

FSU football welcomed seven early enrollees into spring football last week – including six true freshman who could crack their starting lineup at this rate.

During his first seven seasons as the head coach of FSU football, Jimbo Fisher has made it clear that he has no problem playing true or redshirt freshman very early and very often in their college careers. Names like Winston, Cook, Rudolph, Burns and Greene are among the dozens who have shined for the Seminoles not that long after graduating high school.

Florida State Seminoles Football

That seems to be a trend that will continue in the 2017 season, with six players who were playing high school football last fall are in spring camp for the Seminoles. It’s a group that contains some of the best players in the country – and names who could end up being in the starting lineup with the ‘Noles face Alabama to open the 2017 season.

The top candidate would be running back Cam Akers, who was not only the top player in the state of Mississippi, but one of the tops in the entire country and at his position. Even with several quality players at the position, many feel Akers will be in the backfield when the ‘Noles take their first snaps.

Two other names that are drawing attention early are defensive back Stanford Samuels III and defensive end Josh Kaindoh. Samuels III, a South Florida standout and son of former FSU football star Stanford Samuels Jr., is getting a chance to get reps with two returning stars – Tarvarus McFadden and Marcus Lewis – out for the spring following surgery.

Kaindoh, at the same time, is being praised not just for his skill set – but for the fact he looks like a man amongst boys. It’s giving Fisher plenty of confidence in his youngsters on the field (h/t Tallahassee Democrat):

"“They look like they’ve been here a couple of years, all fit in, running and drills. They had to learn early, but they’ve done a great job adapting and fitting right in.”“Those guys, they don’t look like freshman. They’re all mature. Physically, they look like part of our team already.”"

The Seminoles will add another 15 recruits come this summer, including five star prospects in defensive tackle Marvin Wilson and running back Khalan Laborn along with wide receiver D.J. Matthews – three more players who could easily find themselves in the starting lineup come September.