FSU football head coach Mike Norvell knows the 2021 season is probably the most important of his career.
I think that’s why we’ve seen him and the staff put such a large emphasis on the recruiting department over the past year.
Despite not having much success on the field, the staff has surprised some fans with what they’ve been able to accomplish on the recruiting trail.
They’ll likely finish with a top 25 class with fewer than 20 high school commits. I have a take I’ll be posting later this week that will likely draw some eyebrows, but I have to wait until the class is complete before I can finish the piece.
Nevertheless, things are going about as well as one could hope with the Noles right now. It looks like they’ll get an actual spring practice, and the NCAA could end the dead period and allow recruits to visit campus.
If those things happen, we’ll get a clearer picture on what this staff can do on and off the field. Here are my top observations from January with Mike Norvell.
2021 Recruiting
The month of January was big time for the FSU football program. Lots of fans were nervous once players started to enter the transfer portal and declare for the NFL Draft.
I’ve been preaching these changes all along was a good thing. One thing to note is where the players that entered the portal ended up.
That’s telling in and of itself. The players entering the NFL Draft were of no surprise.
However, the work put into getting quality players from the transfer portal can’t be understated. Here’s a list of the players they added in January:
- Andrew Parchment-WR
- Keir Thomas-DE/DT
- DJ Williams-RB
- Jammie Robinson-Safety
- Brandon Moore-CB
All of these players fit a position of need. At the time of Moore’s commitment, I didn’t think they needed to take another defensive back. However, Norvell wouldn’t have taken him if he didn’t believe he would help the team, considering the number crunch with scholarships.
That’s a ton of starting experience that can contribute right away in 2021 without having to rely on freshmen to carry that load at key positions.
2022 Recruiting
The FSU football coaching staff was busy with the 2022 recruiting class while filling 2021 last month.
On top of the 2021 commits, the Noles added commits from four-star wide receiver Quincey McAdoo, three-star defensive end Aaron Hester, and four-star quarterback Nicco Marchiol.
Hester is a four-star quality player and that should be reflected once the 2022 rankings are updated.
It’s a tremendous start for Mike Norvell and staff, and the Noles are holding the No. 6 spot with five commitments. All of them are blue-chip quality, despite what the rankings say.
Aside from Notre Dame, all of the other schools ranked ahead of them have at least two more commitments.
The class already has addressed QB, CB, and two excellent pass rushers. There are two more legacy recruits the coaches will be working to get in the class as well that will address needs.
Parting Thoughts
I’ve been saying it for a while now, but Mike Norvell can recruit. He knows how to evaluate his roster and determine needs, and the staff does a good job of evaluating talent.
The momentum is carrying over into the 2023 classes and beyond. FSU has already offered 105 players in that class with 56 percent of them going to players in Florida and Georgia.
I believe recruiting will take care of itself and Mike Norvell and staff have to make sure they show progress on the field in 2021.
They can’t lose to teams like Wake Forest, Syracuse, and Boston College. They also can’t afford to get their doors blown off by Clemson, Florida, and Miami.
Mike Norvell will look to close the 2021 class on National Signing Day this week with at least one or two more additions.
We’re a long way from the 2021 opener against Notre Dame on September 5, but the coaching staff has to continue to stack good months on top of one another. I think we can all agree January was a great month for the good guys!