FSU Recruiting: 8 players the ‘Noles can sign in 2018 class

FSU recruiting has added some quality pieces in the last week. Who could they land between now and National Signing Day?

When I did one of these last time FSU recruiting had the No. 37 ranked class nationally which was a huge jump from the No. 60’s when Willie Taggart took over.

Taggart did an excellent job of getting some quality players to stick with this class and sign early. The ‘Noles currently have seven players that signed during the early signing period and three to enroll early.

FSU recruiting has added two players since the early signing period, and has 12 players total which leaves room for about eight players to sign with the ‘Noles.

This class is currently ranked No. 22 and could jump in the No. 10-15 range if all goes according to plan. Actually, if they land all eight players listed here they would be No. 8 by current ranking standards.

FSU has needs at quarterback, wide receiver, defensive ends and need another linebacker.

Let’s take a look at eight players the ‘Noles are in the mix for right now.

Xavier Peters

Xavier Peters is four-star linebacker recruit the ‘Noles have recently zeroed in on as he’s a current Kentucky commit.

Peters is the No. 204 ranked player nationally and the No. 13 ranked outside linebacker while being the No. 6 player overall in the state of Ohio.

FSU coaches Harlon Barnett, Raymond Woodie and Odell Haggins visited him earlier this week and he’s set to officially visit with FSU football on January 26th. The great thing here is Peters was being recruited by Oregon while Willie Taggart was there.

He also had an offer from Michigan State’s Harlon Barnett before Barnett came to FSU.

Florida is also in play as he’s set to visit there the same weekend as FSU. The ‘Noles are putting the press on Peters and FSU needs another linebacker in this class.

John Mincey

John Mincey is a three-star strong side defensive end ranked No. 775 nationally and the No. 34 SDE while being the No. 77 ranked player in Georgia.

Mincey is a former Arkansas commit who de-committed January 11th. He was visited by FSU coaches Odell Haggins and Raymond Woodie on January 15th and has a visit scheduled to FSU on February 3rd.

That’s the last weekend before National Signing Day on February 7th.

The ‘Noles have a huge need at defensive end with the departures of Josh Sweat and Jalen Wilkerson for the NFL Draft.

FSU currently has Chaz Neal as its lone defensive end recruit in the 2018 recruiting class.

Dennis Briggs

Dennis Briggs is a three-star defensive tackles who’s ranked No. 302 nationally and No.24 defensive tackle in the country.

Briggs was thought to be a player heading to Miami at one point and visited them on January 12th, but it looks like the ‘Noles are a real player for his commitment.

Oregon offered Briggs before Taggart left to come to FSU, and new FSU coach Raymond Woodie and Odell Haggins have a relationship with Briggs.

Briggs visited FSU in September, but most importantly Briggs is set to visit FSU football on January 26th, just a few days before National Signing Day.

Four-star Robert Cooper is the only defensive tackle in the 2018 recruiting class. Those two together would compliment one another nicely.

Tre’Shaun Harrison

Tre’Shaun Harrison is a four-star athlete ranked No. 156 nationally and the No. 6 athlete overall.

The Willie Taggart effect ladies and gentlemen. Harrison is a former Oregon commit  who has now been offered by Taggart since he became FSU head coach.

The only thing is Harrison willing to leave his home state of Washington to follow Taggart on the opposite side of the country?

He the first scholarship Taggart extended after becoming FSU head coach, so that tells you he’s a priority. Of course all the western programs USC, UCLA and Washington are vying for his commitment.

Taggart visited Harrison on January 14th and FSU will receive the final visit for Harrison on February 2nd.

Jalen Hall

Jalen Hall is a four-star wide receiver who’s the No. 100 ranked player nationally and the No. 19 receiver while being the No. 12 player in the state of California.

Hall is a former Oregon commit that de-committed once Willie Taggart made the move to Tallahassee.

READ: Learn 3 Things About New FSU Offensive Coordinator Walt Bell

However, he’s remained a priority of Taggart, receiving a visit from him this week while scheduling a visit to FSU football on January 19th(today).

The ‘Noles have a huge need at wide receiver and Hall would be a great fit in the Taggart offense.

It seems to be a two-team race between Oregon and FSU here. The question seems to be if Hall is willing to become the next #westsidenole? He’s taken visits to places like Ohio State and Georgia.

The other caveat is Hall is teammates with four-star tight end Camren McDonald who just committed to the ‘Noles a few days ago.

Malcolm Lamar

Malcolm Lamar is a four-star defensive end who’s ranked No. 266 nationally and the No. 9 strong side defensive end in the country.

Lamar is a former Oregon commit but has since de-committed since Willie Taggart became head coach at FSU.

Lamar visited FSU on December 15th.

He’s from the same high school as huge FSU wide receiver target Warren Thompson.

Did I mention FSU needs defensive ends something serious this recruiting class too?

It looks like Florida has been making a huge run after Lamar as of late to keep him in state, but have not been able to get him back on campus after he visited them back in April 2017.

Warren Thompson

Thompson is a four-star receiver who’s ranked No. 154 nationally and the No. 29 receiver in the country.

He was thought to be the one that got away when he committed to Oregon and Willie Taggart after being a heavy FSU lean.

Now that Taggart is at FSU, the ‘Noles are the heavy favorites to land the commitment of Thompson who de-committed from his Oregon pledge December 9th.

Many think he’s the best wide receiver in the state of Florida and could be a big time player for the ‘Noles how need receivers in this recruiting class.

Thompson visited FSU on December 15th and has visits scheduled to North Carolina and South Carolina in the coming weeks. He visited Tennessee on January 12th, but he grew up a FSU fan and should be a Nole when it’s all said and done.

James Foster II

Foster is a four-star recruit ranked No. 287 nationally and the No. 13 dual-threat quarterback.

James Foster originally had FSU in his final five schools, but removed the ‘Noles and placed Alabama in the mix after FSU lost its head coach.

However, Foster quickly re-established the ‘Noles as one of his top schools upon the hire of Willie Taggart.

LSU is thought to be the team to beat, but that program is a dumpster fire at the moment. The real competition is likely Alabama and Texas A&M.

The good news is Alabama’s freshman quarterback that just won a national championship gives FSU some leverage to use. Foster was visited by Willie Taggart and new FSU offensive coordinator Walt Bell Thursday.

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The ‘Noles also have the final official visit with Foster on February 2nd.