Just to give some folks perspective, we are at the very beginning stages of a rebuild. Rebuilding a program like FSU is a major process. It's going to take a while to build back up to "Glory Days". We hit rock bottom the last three years, and now its time for us to start building (or climbing as Norvell would say). We are not going to immediately get the elite players in droves, at least right away. Anyone that thinks that we are beating Clemson, UGA, Alabama for those players currently is fooling themselves. Its about finding the right players and the right hit, changing of the culture, and of course to start winning.
It's pretty easy to see when comparing the start of the Jimbo era to now that the talent is pretty similar. Things really started to turn around for FSU when Jimbo was named HCIW and Christian Ponder became the QB. Then with the 2009 and 10 classes we started to raise our floor, and when we started to win against Florida and Clemson boom the 2011 and 12 classes were amazing and we starting winning big-time and bringing in elite talent in droves. Next thing you know, we are on a 29 game winning streak and winning ACC championships and a national title.
This comparison chart illustrates the two era's based on simply a talent level comparison...
Quarterback's
Drew Weatherford = James Blackman
Christian Ponder = Chubba Purdy
D’Vontrey Richardson = Jordan Travis
Clint Trickett = Tate Rodemaker
EJ Manuel = Luke Altmeyer
Runningback's
Antone Smith = Khalan Laborn
Jermaine Thomas = Jashuan Corbin
Ty Jones = La’Damien Webb
Lonnie Pryor = Lawrence Toafili
Chris Thompson = Corey Wren
Devonta Freeman = Ke’Travion Hargrove??
Wide Receivers:
Rodney Smith = Tamorrion Terry
Bert Reed = DJ Matthews
Willie Haulstead = Warren Thompson
Rod Owens = Jordan Young
Jarmon Fortson = Bryan Robinson
Corey Surrency = Kentron Poitier
Christian Green = Joshua Burrell
Kenny Shaw = Ontaria Wilson
Scooter Haggins = Darion Williamson
Bobo Wilson = Keyshawn Helton
Kermit Whitfield = Jakhi Douglas
Rashad Greene = Destyn Pazon??
Offensive Line:
Rodney Hudson = Dontae Lucas
Ryan McMahon = Thomas Shrader
David Spurlock = Brady Scott
Andrew Datko = Kimo Makenole
Zebrie Sanders = Darius Washington
Menelick Watson = Robert Scott
Bryan Stork = Bryson Estes
Tre Jackson = Ira Henry
Cam Erving = Marlin Dean, RuQuan Buckley?
Josue Matias = Dietrick Pennington, Rod Orr?
Defensive Ends:
Everette Brown = Janarious Robinson
Markus White = Josh Kaindoh
Toshmon Stevens = Deonte Williams
Dan Hicks = Curtis Fann
Kevin McNeil = TJ Davis
Chris Casher = Josh Griffis
Brandon Jenkins = Derrick McClendon
Bjoern Werner = Joshua Farmer??
Tank Carradine = Shambre Jackson??
Lorenzo Featherstone = Zyun Reeves??
Defensive Tackle:
Andre Fluellen = Marvin Wilson
Everett Dawkins = Cory Durden
Letroy Guion = Fabian Lovett
Anthony McCloud = Robert Cooper
Georgio Newberry = Dennis Briggs
Demonte McCallister = Quashon Fuller
Paul Griffin = Jalen Williams??
Moses McCray = Malcom Ray
Derrick Mitchell = Jarrett Jackson
Jacobbi McDaniel = Tru Thompson
Linebacker:
Nigel Bradham = Stephen Dix
Geno Hayes = Emmett Rice
Mister Alexander = Leonard Warner
Kendall Smith = Jaleel McCrae
Dekoda Watson = Kalen Deloach
Vince Williams = DJ Lundy
Reggie Northrup = Kevon Glenn
Christian Jones = Branden Jennings
Telvin Smith = Amari Gainer
Cornerback:
Patrick Robinson = Asante Samuel
Mike Harris = Meiko Dotson
Nick Waisome = Renardo Green
Greg Reid = Travis Jay
Lamarcus Joyner = Akeem Dent
Xavier Rhodes = Demorie Tate
Ronald Darby = Jarrion Jones
PJ Williams = Isaiah Bolden
Jalen Ramsey = Travis Hunter??
Safety:
Myron Rolle = Jaiden Woodbey
Nick Moody = Hamsah Nasildereen
Terrence Parks = Brendan Gant
Justin Bright = Raymond Woodie
Gerald Demps = Jarvis Brownlee
Tyler Hunter = Jadarius Green McKnight
Nate Andrews = Sidney Williams
Terrence Brooks = Ahmari Harvey
Specialists:
Gary Cismesia = Ricky Aguayo
Chance Gwaltney = Cason Beatty
Graham Gano = Ryan Fitzgerald
Shawn Powell = Alex Mastromanno
It's pretty easy to see when comparing the start of the Jimbo era to now that the talent is pretty similar. Things really started to turn around for FSU when Jimbo was named HCIW and Christian Ponder became the QB. Then with the 2009 and 10 classes we started to raise our floor, and when we started to win against Florida and Clemson boom the 2011 and 12 classes were amazing and we starting winning big-time and bringing in elite talent in droves. Next thing you know, we are on a 29 game winning streak and winning ACC championships and a national title.
This comparison chart illustrates the two era's based on simply a talent level comparison...
Quarterback's
Drew Weatherford = James Blackman
Christian Ponder = Chubba Purdy
D’Vontrey Richardson = Jordan Travis
Clint Trickett = Tate Rodemaker
EJ Manuel = Luke Altmeyer
Runningback's
Antone Smith = Khalan Laborn
Jermaine Thomas = Jashuan Corbin
Ty Jones = La’Damien Webb
Lonnie Pryor = Lawrence Toafili
Chris Thompson = Corey Wren
Devonta Freeman = Ke’Travion Hargrove??
Wide Receivers:
Rodney Smith = Tamorrion Terry
Bert Reed = DJ Matthews
Willie Haulstead = Warren Thompson
Rod Owens = Jordan Young
Jarmon Fortson = Bryan Robinson
Corey Surrency = Kentron Poitier
Christian Green = Joshua Burrell
Kenny Shaw = Ontaria Wilson
Scooter Haggins = Darion Williamson
Bobo Wilson = Keyshawn Helton
Kermit Whitfield = Jakhi Douglas
Rashad Greene = Destyn Pazon??
Offensive Line:
Rodney Hudson = Dontae Lucas
Ryan McMahon = Thomas Shrader
David Spurlock = Brady Scott
Andrew Datko = Kimo Makenole
Zebrie Sanders = Darius Washington
Menelick Watson = Robert Scott
Bryan Stork = Bryson Estes
Tre Jackson = Ira Henry
Cam Erving = Marlin Dean, RuQuan Buckley?
Josue Matias = Dietrick Pennington, Rod Orr?
Defensive Ends:
Everette Brown = Janarious Robinson
Markus White = Josh Kaindoh
Toshmon Stevens = Deonte Williams
Dan Hicks = Curtis Fann
Kevin McNeil = TJ Davis
Chris Casher = Josh Griffis
Brandon Jenkins = Derrick McClendon
Bjoern Werner = Joshua Farmer??
Tank Carradine = Shambre Jackson??
Lorenzo Featherstone = Zyun Reeves??
Defensive Tackle:
Andre Fluellen = Marvin Wilson
Everett Dawkins = Cory Durden
Letroy Guion = Fabian Lovett
Anthony McCloud = Robert Cooper
Georgio Newberry = Dennis Briggs
Demonte McCallister = Quashon Fuller
Paul Griffin = Jalen Williams??
Moses McCray = Malcom Ray
Derrick Mitchell = Jarrett Jackson
Jacobbi McDaniel = Tru Thompson
Linebacker:
Nigel Bradham = Stephen Dix
Geno Hayes = Emmett Rice
Mister Alexander = Leonard Warner
Kendall Smith = Jaleel McCrae
Dekoda Watson = Kalen Deloach
Vince Williams = DJ Lundy
Reggie Northrup = Kevon Glenn
Christian Jones = Branden Jennings
Telvin Smith = Amari Gainer
Cornerback:
Patrick Robinson = Asante Samuel
Mike Harris = Meiko Dotson
Nick Waisome = Renardo Green
Greg Reid = Travis Jay
Lamarcus Joyner = Akeem Dent
Xavier Rhodes = Demorie Tate
Ronald Darby = Jarrion Jones
PJ Williams = Isaiah Bolden
Jalen Ramsey = Travis Hunter??
Safety:
Myron Rolle = Jaiden Woodbey
Nick Moody = Hamsah Nasildereen
Terrence Parks = Brendan Gant
Justin Bright = Raymond Woodie
Gerald Demps = Jarvis Brownlee
Tyler Hunter = Jadarius Green McKnight
Nate Andrews = Sidney Williams
Terrence Brooks = Ahmari Harvey
Specialists:
Gary Cismesia = Ricky Aguayo
Chance Gwaltney = Cason Beatty
Graham Gano = Ryan Fitzgerald
Shawn Powell = Alex Mastromanno
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