FSU football: Thoughts on Ron Dugans and Odell Haggins extensions

Ron Dugans

Ron Dugans returning in 2022 has me scratching my head. I talked about his recruiting failures on the Built For Playmakers Podcast after Early Signing Day. I felt like not signing a single high school wide receiver was a firable offense, not to mention they only seemed to target two the entire recruiting cycle (Kevin Coleman and Devaughn Mortimer).

The fact Mortimer flipped to a place like Louisville on Early Signing Day? I was sure Mike Norvell would make a change, and I believe he tried to. Why he ultimately didn’t I’m not sure. However, I want to be fair to Ron Dugans and provide some context. Recruiting to FSU over the past few years hasn’t been ideal or an easy sell.

The wide receivers signed in 2020 haven’t done much development, and Ja’Khi Douglas seems to be the only one that could contribute meaningful snaps. FSU had the worst wide receiver unit in the ACC last year.

Four-star Malik McClain, Destyn Hill, and three-star Joshua Burrell signed with the Noles in 2021. How much of a role did Dugans play in those recruitments? I’m not sure, but Hill has yet to make it to campus, and Burrell got hurt and missed almost all of last year. The latter two Dugans can’t control.

FSU’s offense has been limited, with mediocre quarterback play the past few years, which would make it difficult to recruit difference-makers at the position. However, failing to land at least one is inexcusable. Now, FSU has signed four wide receivers from the transfer portal. How much did Dugans have to do with that?

I’m not sure, but some have mentioned him by name. The floor of the wide receiver room has been raised significantly, and Jordan Travis showed flashes of progression in the passing game. The offensive line should be better which helps the passing game. Maybe with better talent, better QB, and o-line play, we’ll see the progress needed from the wide receiver group?

In the end, I guess continuity was better than making a risky hire in a year so important to show significant progress in the wins column. Also, the wide receiver talent in the 2023 recruiting class is insane. If the Noles fail to land some of those difference-makers  and the wide receivers don’t take a couple of steps forward this year, this could be a move that costs Norvell in the future. I’m rooting for Ron Dugans because his success equals program success.