FSU football: Will 2023 recruiting class have 50 percent blue-chip ratio?

FSU football recruiting, historically, is among the best of the best. However, that hasn’t been the case over the past four or five recruiting cycles.

Coaching changes, poor recruiting strategies, poor on-the-field product, the COVID-19 pandemic, and NIL have all been factors.

FSU football has not had a recruiting class with a 50 percent or greater blue-chip ratio since 2018.

The first transitional class under Willie Taggart had a 61.9 percent (13 of 21)blue-chip ratio, but unfortunately, 9 of those 13 blue-chip players are no longer with the program.

The 2019 class checked in at 42.8 percent, 2020 checked in at 29.1 percent, 2021 checked in at 35.2 percent, and 2022 checked in at 37.5 percent.

Mike Norvell and the staff have circumvented some of the lack of blue-chip players through transfer portal acquisitions. Seven of their eight All-ACC players from last year came from the transfer portal. However, with the effects of the pandemic seemingly over, it’s time for the staff to begin focusing more on high school players and their development.

The 2023 class currently has six commitments, with three players rated as blue-chip players (50 percent). Will this be the class that finally gets the Noles over the 50 percent or better ratio when it comes to blue-chip players (high school recruits only)?

We have to keep in mind transfers are not calculated into the team rankings at the moment. If this is the case, the FSU coaching staff will need to land at least nine more blue-chip players to maintain the 50 percent blue-chip ratio(unless some three-star commits receive their fourth-star which is possible).

The Noles are in a good position with several blue-chip players, and the good news is they likely won’t take many offensive linemen, which are historically difficult to rank and more often than not three-stars.

There will be a heavy emphasis on skill players like wide receiver, running back, and defensive back. Those positions have more blue-chip players available then players closer to the line of scrimmage.

Stay tuned for a realistic list of blue-chip players the Noles could sign in 2023.