FSU Football: Top five freshman from 2018 recruiting class

FSU Football will have its share of freshmen who break out, just like every year – here are five players who can break out for the ‘Noles in 2018.

For FSU Football, the #Tribe18 recruiting class is full of game changers, but just like in other years and at every school,  some kids have to sit and learn the game but other can make a contribution to the team right away. It’s going to be interesting to see what the Seminoles do considering the amount of talent that left and what was brought in.

It’s a group of 21 players full of four and five star prospects who have the potential to play as soon as the season opener against Virginia Tech on Labor Day night. Here are the five freshmen who I think can make an early impact and possibly break out for the ‘Noles during the upcoming season.

No. 5 – TE Camren McDonald

https://twitter.com/CaamMcd/status/959131430038024192

With the departure of Ryan Izzo to the NFL draft and the grad transfer of Mavin Saunders to Kansas, FSU football’s tight end depth has obviously taken a hit. McDonald can come right in and compete for playing time.

He fits the new offense very well, basically serving as an extra receiver he can play in the slot causing match up problems. I expect him to get a fair share of playing time in sub packages this year.

No. 4 – DE Xaiver Peters

Peters is another player who can see playing time based off of lack of depth. FSU’s depth at the defensive end position took a hit after Josh Sweat and Jalen Wilkerson both declared for the NFL draft. At 6’4, 225 lbs., Peters will need to put on a few pounds but he shows all the signs of a good pass rusher.

He has a very quick first step able to get around offensive tackles with very little problems and he is very good with his hands. Peters will also bring a needed nastiness to the defense where it almost seemed absent in 2017.

No. 3 – WR Tre’Shaun Harrison

Tre’shaun Harrison is lightning in a bottle. FSU football head coach Willie Taggart took lead in recruiting Harrison from Washington State – where he had been recruiting him heavy when Taggart was at Oregon – and with good reason.

In my eyes, he may have the most raw talent in the class, and at 6’2, 190 lbs.,  he brings good size to the receiver position. He also has the speed to be a burner – and with a lot of unproven wide receivers, I expect him to make an instant impact.

No. 2 – S Jaiden Woodbey

Coach Taggart absolutely hit a home run with this signing, coming into a recruitment so late and having a kid sign nearly two weeks later is virtually unheard of. Woodbey has a chance to come in and play right away due to star safety Derwin James leaving for the NFL draft.

Woodbey can play either the safety spot and possibly some of the nickel role, which means the coaching staff should have no problem plugging him in somewhere. He brings a physical presence to the defense – being able to play close to the line of scrimmage on run situations and make bone-crushing tackles. He is also very good in coverage, his game ironically compares a lot to James.

No. 1 – WR Warren Thompson

Thompson may be the best true receiver in the class as he is an absolute bully at 6’4, 200lbs. At his size you can imagine the physicality he brings to the WR position, he does a very good job at high pointing the ball in the air and not giving the DBs a chance to make a play on it.

Next: FSU Football: Three takeaways from National Signing Day 2018

He plays the receiver position almost like a basketball player boxing out, making 50/50 balls more like 75/25 balls.  His speed is incredible for a guy his size – he is able to take a hitch 70 yards for the distance. Warren Thompson is going to come in for FSU football, looking for someone’s spot to take and it wouldn’t surprise me one bit if he does.