FSU Recruiting: Can Seminoles land 2019 powerhouse duo from California?
By Jason Parker
FSU is in the running for two of the top players from the defending national champions in high school football – so can the Noles get them to Tallahassee?
With just under four months to go until the start of the 2018 FSU football season, plenty of people have their minds focus on what the year will have in store – wanting to see if new head coach Willie Taggart can get the Seminoles back from a 7-6 season that had some wondering if the Noles had fallen back a spot.
One of the cornerstones of Taggart’s early success in Tallahassee has been the way be bounced back a 2018 recruiting class that spent time ranked in the 70s nationally up to 11th in the country by the February national signing day – and now, FSU coaches are going around the state and the country to bring in the best for the 2019 class.
While recruiting the Sunshine State is a priority, Taggart and company aren’t hesitating to go nationwide – including out to California, where he recruited heavily while at Oregon. Two players from that state have FSU listed among their finalist before they announce their decision on Sunday.
Running back Sean Dollars and cornerback Jeremiah Criddell from Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, California – the defending national champs – are set to announce with both having the Seminoles in their final five and Dollars tweeting he is planning a visit to Tallahassee this week.
Now, being honest it might end up being a long shot for the Seminoles to land either player. While FSU is in the top five, 247 Sports has both players as heavy leans to sign with those Ducks that once employed Taggart. Both players already took unofficial visits to Florida State early last month, so Dollars making a second trip might give the Noles a slimmer of hope.
Next: 3 huge recruiting needs for 2019 FSU class
Still, it’s somewhat of a positive that FSU football is back to being in the conversation for top talent across the country. It means that despite the recruiting failures of the previous administration toward the end, the future is bright for the Seminoles.