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FSU football: Transfer portal players more valuable than 5-stars?

By Kelvin Hunt

Nov 27, 2021; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell against the Florida Gators during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2021; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell against the Florida Gators during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

FSU Five-Stars

FSU football hadn’t signed a five-star high school player since the 2017 recruiting cycle until Hykeem Williams signed last week. Those 2017 players were Cam Akers, Marvin Wilson, Joshua Kaindoh, and Khalan Laborn. Akers and Wilson contributed the most, with Kaindoh dealing with a ton of injuries and Laborn dismissed from the program(he has since blossomed at Marshall). Akers, Wilson, and Kaindoh made it to the NFL, but I think it’s safe to say they never produced close to their five-star billing. That happens often, and I could go down the list of former five-star or blue-chip players that never pan out. However, I want to use two former five-star players as an example to compare to a quality transfer portal addition at FSU.

The two five-star players I’ll use are two of the most productive in recent FSU football history. Lamarcus Joyner and Derwin James.

Joyner was the No. 12 player, and James was the No. 5 player overall in their respective classes. Here are their stats:

Lamarcus Joyner

  • 2010(FR): 23 tackles, one interception, three passes defended
  • 2011(So.): 54 tackles, two tackles for a loss, one sack, four interceptions, three passes defended
  • 2012 (Jr.): 51 tackles, 1.5 tackles for a loss, one interception, five passes defended
  • 2013(Sr.): 69 tackles, seven tackles for a loss, two interceptions, four passes defended, three forced fumbles

Joyner was also a contributor on special teams with kickoff return, averaging 24.1 yards per return. Joyner got drafted in the second round with the No. 41 overall pick. Joyner was a three-time All-ACC selection.

Derwin James

  • 2015 (Fr.): 91 tackles, 9.5 tackles for a loss, 4.5 sacks, four passes defended, two forced fumbles
  • 2016: Injured
  • 2017 (So.): 84 tackles, 5.5 tackles for a loss, one sack, 11 passes defended, four QB hurries, one blocked kick

Derwin James also helped with kickoff return, averaging 28 yards per return in 2017. James got drafted in the first round with the No. 17 overall pick. James was a two-time All-ACC selection.

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