FSU football: 14 players named to Senior Bowl Watch List

FSU football returns the most experience and production in the nation. They have six of the top 100 players in the country, which is more than anyone else in the ACC.

These aspects are why the Noles have some of the highest-expectations going into the 2023 season. It’s the first time folks are giving them a real shot to dethrone the Clemson Tigers from atop the ACC.

There are several players on National Watch Lists, but the number of players on the Senior Bowl Watch List provides a great barometer of just how much experience, leadership, and top players this team will feature in 2023.

FSU has the most players in the ACC, most in the Sunshine State, and the seventh most nationally. However, all of these players are not seniors. Jared Verse, Johnny Wilson, Fentrell Cypress, Jaheim Bell, and Robert Scott Jr. are only redshirt juniors.

I suppose they are on the list because most expect they’ll declare for the NFL Draft after the 2023 season? Some of the most important positions on a football team have representation. It’s a reflection of where this roster has evolved since the 2020 season.

I know rival fans try to judge FSU for using the transfer portal because they can’t recruit it like FSU. However, I think I should point out that Dennis Briggs Jr., Renard Green, Kalen DeLoach, Robert Scott Jr., and Akeem Dent are players Mike Norvell inherited or recruited and developed into the players they are today.

So much for the false narrative FSU can’t develop talent and put guys in the NFL. If I had to bet, at least eight of these players will get drafted in next year’s NFL Draft. That will be a far cry from what FSU has produced over the last few years.

However, I expect it to become the norm again under Mike Norvell with the way he’s recruiting in the 2024 recruiting class.