FSU football: Jarques McClellion commitment addresses huge need

FSU football continues its recruiting momentum with the latest transfer commitment.

FSU football has the No. 22 ranked recruiting class in the nation, but got a big addition Sunday afternoon.

The Noles lost junior cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. in his desire to declare for the NFL Draft a few weeks ago. He was FSU’s best and most experienced defensive back, which left a void in the secondary going into 2021.

That void may have found a possible solution Sunday when Arkansas transfer cornerback Jarques McClellion announced he was transferring to the Noles.

McClellion announced the decision via his Twitter account:

McClellion originally hails from American Heritage High School in Florida and originally signed with Arkansas in their 2016 class as a three-star recruit.

He checks in at 6’0″ 190 pounds and was a two-year starter for the Razorbacks with 59 tackles, 11 pass breakups, and one interception in 23 career games.

Thoughts

Aside from experience, one thing McClellion brings is the requisite size and length needed to play the boundary cornerback position. He also brings depth, as the Noles went into the final game against Duke with only a handful of scholarship defensive backs available.

His addition won’t count towards FSU’s overall class ranking because he’s is a transfer, but he’s a welcome addition that addresses a roster need.

The Noles have 19 commitments/signees in its 2021 recruiting class, with about six spots left to fill. I expect about half of those to fill with prep players and the rest from the transfer portal.

Some fans will continue to look at the No. 22 class ranking and be disappointed, but have to understand the addition of quality transfer players won’t count towards that ranking.

However, those transfer players will allow FSU football to be more competitive on the field in 2021 because they are more developed than freshmen at this point.