FSU football is trying to finish up its 2020 recruiting class and filled a huge position of need with La’Damien Webb’s commitment.
FSU football and Mike Norvell are making good use of the transfer scene as they added their fifth transfer player to the 2020 class Saturday evening in La’Damian Webb.
He’s the second transfer running back after Jashaun Corbin committed a few weeks ago.
Webb had offers from Oklahoma State, Missouri, Ole Miss and West Virginia along with other non-power five schools.
The Noles first offered on December 23rd, 2019, and finally visited Tallahassee Friday, January 17th before committing the second day there.
Webb, who’s originally from Alabama, played this past year at Jones County Junior College in Mississippi after originally signing with Mississippi State in the 2018 recruiting cycle.
He’s the No. 61 ranked JUCO player and No. 5 ranked JUCO runnning back in the 2020.
It’s a position the Noles definitely need help in filling with the departure of Cam Akers and lots of unknowns with players on the roster.
Just how important is Webb’s commitment to the Noles? Let’s talk about it
Depth/Experience
Cam Akers was the running game for the Noles the past three seasons as he accounted for 48 percent of the total rushes for FSU in 2019.
The only problem is the only other scholarship running back on the roster received just 13 percent of the carries in Khalan Laborn.
He’d be the most experienced running back on the roster entering 2020 if the aforementioned Jashaun Corbin isn’t ruled eligible by the NCAA.
That’s why the 156 rushes La’Damian Webb received at Jones County Junior College are so important. No, it’s not the ACC level of play but it is college football with athletes who are bigger, stronger and faster than in high school.
It’s also double the amount of carries Laborn has had in his time at FSU.
Mike Norvell likes to utilize his running backs in a variety of ways. He’ll flex them out wide or have two running backs in the backfield, so having multiple running backs on the roster is invaluable.
Not to mention the pounding they will take and the possibility of injuries, so having that depth is important.
We saw what a lack of depth looks like in the Sun Bowl when FSU had no scholarship running backs in the game.
Playmaker
A player isn’t named Mr. Football in the state of Alabama as a JUNIOR unless he can play. The kid amassed 3,242 rushing yards and 47 touchdowns in his 2016 high school year.
He rushed for 359 yards and five touchdowns to lead his high school Beauregard (AL) to a state championship. Webb was named the Alabama 5A MVP.
In his time at Jones County Junior College he amassed 940 rushing yards on 156 carries with 10 touchdowns.
He also contributed in the passing game with 12 receptions for 151 yards and two touchdowns. It should be noted he had this type of production in just nine games.
Webb is powerful with a low center of gravity at 5’8″ and 190 pounds. However, he has deceptive speed, wiggle in space and the ability break tackles for positive yardage.
He looks like a running back that could fit the Mike Norvell offense perfectly and it seems as though the coaching staff feel the same way since they went out and got him.
Final Thoughts
Another good thing about Webb is he said he recruitment would be over the day he committed to a school. So it looks very likely he’ll sign with the Noles on National Signing Day and it’s another need filled in the class.
Now, the coaching staff can focus more attention on filling the needs of the offensive line and defensive end positions.
Those are the two biggest remaining needs in the class though it’s possible they could take another defensive back, tight end or linebacker.
FSU likely has about six or seven spots remaining in the 2020 recruiting class if they wish to use them. They’ve offered a number of players preferred walk-on spots, so it looks as though they won’t award a scholarship just to fill a number which is a good thing.
The coaching staff really seems organized with their fingers on the pulse of what this team needs most. That’s a refreshing thing to see and they are absolutely relentless on the recruiting trail.
It should be noted Webb’s commitment will increase their 2020 recruiting ranking but the guy can play football no doubt.