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Willie Taggart expects freshman class to be contributors in 2019

By Kelvin Hunt

ORLANDO, FL - SEPTEMBER 05: Mascots Osceola and Renegade of the Florida State Seminoles are seen on the field prior to the Camping World Kickoff game against the Mississippi Rebels at Camping World Stadium on September 5, 2016 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - SEPTEMBER 05: Mascots Osceola and Renegade of the Florida State Seminoles are seen on the field prior to the Camping World Kickoff game against the Mississippi Rebels at Camping World Stadium on September 5, 2016 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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Willie Taggart wants the best to play no matter what classification the player is in the classroom. Things will be no different in 2019.

FSU head coach Willie Taggart spoke with the media prior to practice Thursday morning and spoke on a variety of topics.

He spoke about having FSU legend Derrick Brooks and former NFL head coach Tony Dungy at practice early on.

He got asked about the freshmen on the team and his response was interesting considering most people look at the 2019 recruiting class as sub-par since they finished No. 19.

It’s true they didn’t have a ton of highly rated players in that class, but it’s clear Willie Taggart believes a great deal of those players are going to contribute THIS year.

They were recruiting because they were good players, but also because they wanted to be the change agents with the FSU program.

The interview can be viewed in its entirety below:

History shows he’ll give them the opportunity too. Taggart’s first recruiting class in 2018 saw nearly 40 percent of those players playing significant snaps last season.

The percentage would have been higher had a couple of them not gotten injured and forced to redshirt.

FSU signed 21 players in the 2019 recruiting cycle and I’d be willing to bet at least 5-6 of those players or more to see significant time on the field this season. I expect players like Akeem Dent, Dontae Lucas, Jaleel McRae Travis Jay, Tru Thompson, Malcolm Ray and maybe Raymond Woodie III to be out there quite a bit.

Where they were ranked in the class doesn’t matter as Keyshawn Helton saw plenty of time in 2018 and he was the lowest rated player in the 2018 class.

The crazy thing is he’s expected to be a big contributor this season.. I expect FSU to be in a few more blowouts this season which would be the reverse of last season.

Those will be great opportunities for those young players to get some experience as well as on special teams.

dark. Next. Top 10 True Freshman Seasons of Last Decade

Willie Taggart mentioned the younger players are buying in to the older players and vice versa.

That’s what it’s going to take to continue shaping the new culture with FSU football in the Willie Taggart era.

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