FSU football brought in a number of talented players in the 2019 recruiting class. I look at five who could shine this season.
FSU football played a lot of true freshmen from Willie Taggart’s 2018 inaugural recruiting class.
In fact, about 38 percent of that class logged meaningful minutes last season which should pay dividends in 2019.
Willie Taggart said the best players will play and there are a few players from the 2019 recruiting who’ll be vying for playing time this season.
Competitive depth is a problem all head coaches want in their program and it’s something that’s been lacking with FSU football for quite some time.
The Noles had a class of 21 signees overall, but more importantly six of those 21 were early enrollees.
Anyone that knows college football knows having players to early enrollee is extremely beneficial in being more successful as a true freshman.
It allows those players to get right into the strength and conditioning program to prepare their bodies for the physicality of the college game.
Also, it allows them to become more familiar with their respective roles on the team while giving he coaches an extended opportunity to see what they can do before the season.
Let’s take a look at five true freshman who could shine for the Noles in 2019.
Tru Thompson
I’ve talked about the lack of depth on the defensive line. The Noles have Marvin Wilson, Cory Durden and Robert Cooper who logged meaningful reps in 2018.
There are some players from the 2018 recruiting class who’ll have an opportunity to shine like Malcolm Lamar and Jamarcus Chatman.
The Noles are still waiting to see if they’ll get anything from 2017 four-star defensive tackle Ja’Len Parks who just underwent foot surgery last week.
That injury could pave the way for three-star defensive tackle Tru Thompson to play meaningful snaps.
Thompson came to the Noles as one of its longest standing commits from the original group of players He was rated as the No. 648 player nationally and the No. 53 defensive tackle.
He’s not the tallest player but Thompson’s strength is he’s physically ready to play and should be able to anchor the middle in spurts.
Anything the Noles can get from Thompson to help spell Wilson, Durden or Cooper will be a positive for the Noles.
Travis Jay
I’m really high on Travis Jay and that’s why he’s the only non-early enrollee on this list. He’s also a defensive back which should be a position with incredible depth in 2019.
The fact that he’s not an early enrollee and plays a position that’s stacked and still makes this list?
That should tell you something. Jay was the No. 142 overall recruit and No. 17 cornerback. He has great size at 6’1 185 pounds and as athletic as they come.
Did I mention he has all the dawg you want in a player? The big advantage Jay has is he has the ability to play both cornerback and safety this year.
He’ll also likely be a valuable contributor on special teams too. I suspect Jay will start out on special teams and gradually work himself into the lineup as the season goes and he becomes more comfortable in the defense.
True freshmen Asante Samuel Jr. and AJ Lytton saw time as true freshmen last season and Travis Jay should be no different.
Dontae Lucas
The Pope! All FSU football fans understand the liability the offensive line has become the past few years.
It’s extremely difficult for true freshmen offensive linemen to come right in and get playing time in the trenches.
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Lucas was considered the No. 167 ranked player nationally and the No. 9 offensive guard.
Usually it takes a couple of years for high school players to put on the necessary weight and size to be as physical as they need to be to be effective.
That’s not a problem for Lucas he checks in at 6’3 325 pounds and moves guys around when he’s able to lock onto opposing defensive linemen.
The biggest issue for Lucas will be honing his blocking assignments in both the running and passing game.
That was the scouting report for him during the spring game. If he knew who to block he was usually effective, but he did have plays where he blocked the wrong guy which is common for a true freshman.
The fact he was able to early enroll will pay off for both he and the Noles and he’ll probably play in 2019. However, if the injury bug strikes, he’ll play a lot more than I’d like as a true freshmen.
Jaleel McRae
Jaleel McRae is a player I got excited about just watching him work on social media before he even enrolled in January.
McRae was one of the biggest influences and leaders in the class and it’s showing this spring as he impressed everyone. In fact, most folk believe McRae could be a starter at linebacker in 2019 as a true freshman.
He was the No. 205 player nationally and the No. 11 outside linebacker who likely would have been ranked higher if not for multiple knee injuries in high school.
McRae has shown the ability to play in coverage and as well as make splash plays behind the line of scrimmage in the spring game.
He’s physically ready to play college ball at 6’2″ 230 pounds.
McRae’s no-nonsense approach is refreshing and seems to be a big part of the culture change happening in the program as well.
Linebacker has been a weakness of this defense the past couple of years, but the play of McRae coupled with senior Dontavious Jackson gives me hope they’ll be a better unit in 2019.
Akeem Dent
Akeem Dent was the highest rated player in the 2019 recruiting class and also was an early enrollee.
Dent was the No. 50 ranked player nationally and the No. 7 ranked defensive back. Listen, Akeem Dent came to the Noles this spring ready to work and will see significant snaps this year.
He has great size at 6’1″ 180 pounds with excellent length while playing with an edge. We saw him make some freshmen mistakes this spring, but we also saw him make a lot of plays.
Like Travis Jay, Dent can play both cornerback or safety depending on what the combination the coaching staff want to throw out there.
I expect Dent to gradually work himself into a role as the season goes. The upperclassmen better be on their game or he’s coming to take someone’s spot.
Out of all the players in the class I expect Dent to have the biggest impact while playing the most snaps.
We saw Jaiden Lars-Woodbey be named a ESPN All-American last season and there’s no reason Dent can’t have the same type of impact.