FSU football has a top 10 recruiting class but Clemson is recruiting on another stratosphere right now. Fans react to DJ Uiagalelei’s commitment.
FSU football has work to do plain and simple. The 2018 season proved that and the last two recruiting classes have proven that.
The other thing factor is ACC Division rival Clemson is showing that the road to the ACC title is going to continue to run through Death Valley through the foreseeable future.
Clemson has won the ACC title every year since 2015, but FSU had realistic chances to win in both 2015 and 2016.
I’ve written numerous times over the years the biggest difference between FSU football and Clemson had been quarterback play. They’ve had their best quarterback in history to be succeeded by the next guy who became the next best quarterback in their history.
Here’s what I mean. Tajh Boyd was the best Clemson QB in their history when he finished his career there in 2013.
Deshaun Watson followed him and became the new best QB in their history. Kelly Bryant followed for a year and was serviceable until Trevor Lawrence came and is the most talented QB they’ve ever had.
All the while FSU struggled with the likes Sean Maguire and Deondre Francois and true freshman James Blackman thrown in the mix in 2017 at QB.
The only reason FSU had a chance to win in both 2015 and 2016 was because FSU was the more talented team overall(Clemson just had the better QB play).
Those days are no longer. Clemson now has the more talented roster and has another five-star QB in DJ Uiagalelei with Trevor Lawrence having TWO more years to play.
That means Uiagalelei will have an opportunity to redshirt and then play in 2021. Clemson has 14 commits for 2020 and all of them are considered blue chip players, including four 5-stars.
Their lowest ranked player is an offensive lineman that’s considered the No. 34 ranked offensive lineman in the nation.
Fan Reaction
Operator: 911, what’s your emergency?
— TaReef KnockOut (@TaReefKnockOut) May 5, 2019
Me: DJ Uiagalelei just committed to Clemson..
https://t.co/ozAEYUZfGR
Good news is the end is nowhere in site. ☹️🤬 https://t.co/gQ8qS2W3cs
— Big Leh-Dubya (@BigLew_NolesFan) May 5, 2019
Ok all jokes aside. Seriously. Whose beating Clemson? Who?
— 2-Pod Shakur (@DaPrinceRicky) May 5, 2019
Clemson joined the party of Bama & UGA with recruiting
— Michael Scott (@WashedUpJustin_) May 5, 2019
Thoughts
I’ve said all along not to expect to compete for any type of title until 2021. I think it’ll take that long for FSU football to restock its roster and develop the current young talent.
The biggest thing FSU has to do is win in 2019. They don’t have to beat Clemson, but they have to show progress on the field and get at least eight wins in the regular season.
Great players like to jump on a train that’s riding at warp speed(Clemson), but they also like to jump on a train capable of catching the train that’s riding at warp speed.