While the football season ended a while ago it really never ends. Pro football still has the super bowl. We have junior days going on college campus. Before you know it we will have spring football coverage and we will be right back discussing FSU football. FSU has had a very good off-season. I do expect to see a major turnaround in 2025. The team is much better on both sides of the football and I really like how the new coaching staff has performed so far.
Lead into New Staff....It just seems like the guys hired are much more engaged in the program. I see the coaches on social media. I see the coaches more involved in recruiting. There is a much wider net being thrown. More offers are being put out there. FSU is doing what NATIONAL BRANDS should do and that is offer kids and lots of them. The reality is prospects still want to play for the Seminoles.
Size....You just look at the players FSU is recruiting and it looks like they belong at FSU. Take the new tight end offered out of IMG Kekua Amuua - He is not only big but I doubt you will see many other tight ends block like this kid. He is one of the better blocking tight ends you will see on film. I expect him to have 30 plus offers by the time spring football starts in Florida. He is from Hawaii. Kid can stay in Florida and play in warm weather. He will be one of the top tight ends in the country this year.
Junior Days - Want to give Pat, Curt, Nick, Bob and the entire crew of the Osceola a ton of credit for how they covered these junior days. Coverage has been great....Just wanted to give them props.
Prospects
TE- Kekua Aumua IMG Academy - 6'6-265- Love this kids film. Honestly it would not shock me to see him get recruited as an offensive tackle. He is already 6'6-260 pounds. He has the body to add the necessary weight. If he moves to tackle you may be looking at a potential top five pick in the NFL draft one day as a tackle. This is where you can get value. Left tackles are going to demand a ton of money. Tight ends are not going to command much money compared a to a tackle. This is where you have to overpay him a little as a tight end and move him once on campus. He is up there as one of my top targets.
DE-Jarius Rodgers - Fleming Island-6'5-215 - I expect Rodgers to be in FSU class. I always say watch the visits. He visited last summer for their camp. He is now on campus right after committing to Syracuse for their junior day. He is a little on the thin side but should have no problem adding weight to his frame.
LB-Duyon Forkpa-IMG Academy - 6'2-220 - I had him rated as one of the top backers in Georgia. I expect UGA to be one of the teams to beat. One thing you will notice on film is the kid can run. He was used off the edge. You will see him rush the passer. He does drop into coverage on film. He is someone that can play in space. He is not super fluid. His game reminds me of Kalen DeLoach.
LB-Karon Maycock-Miami Central - 6'2-210 - Miami seems to have a stranglehold on Miami Central of late. You would like to see FSU be able to get back into that program. Maycock has played safety so the coverage skills are there. He is an impressive looking player off the hoof. He is versatile. You can line him up at multiple positions on the field.
LB-Adam Balogoun Ali-Cardinal Newman-6'2-215 - Adam moved over to Cardinal Newman. Coach Daniels used to like to send his kids to UF. FSU took one of his players last year. Adam has been on high with FSU for a while now. I expect FSU to be in them mix for his commitment.
OG-GNivre Carr- IMG Academy- 6'4-330 - Comes from Ocala. He was on Trinity Catholic state title team two years ago. Maybe related to Greg Carr who played at FSU and at North Marion? Big and Wide. I discussed this many times with the new staff but they are recruited MEN...This kid looks like an SEC Body.
Ath-Bryce Williams- Western - 6'2-175 - Plays CB. Think his game is similar to the DB from recruited from Cardinal Newman last year. Big, long and athletic. Probably a better safety prospect. He is raw but you can see the upside.
LB-Kaden Henderson - Tampa Jesuit- 6'2-210 -FSU seems to be putting in a concerted effort to recruit Tampa this year. Should have happened last year. Henderson plays a hybrid DE/OLB position. He is someone that can put pressure on the quarterback. Also like his athletic ability. He can drop into coverage as well.
There are some other prospects that were offered and on campus for Junior Day that I will go back and evaluate them.
The ACC / ESPN mess...All I can say is 2036 is a long ways away. If FSU is stuck in the ACC as is Miami and Clemson they are going to have to find ways to make up the revenue gap and the programs in the Big 10 and SEC. You can't lose 40-50-60 million a year for over a decade and compete. I am still blown away how anyone associated with these programs or the conference who signed on for this have jobs. It is disgusting...
Spring Football - FSU is not having a spring game...Nebraska is not going to have a spring game. I would not be surprised if more teams do not have spring games. There is a simple solution to this. 1) Put the final portal window before spring practice. No players unless they graduate should be able to transfer once spring football starts.
2) Take all the Bowl Games that are not part of the playoffs and push them to April. This way you will have no one holding out. The so called reason the bowls were great was because of all the extra practices. Give each program another 5-10 days of practice. You now have fans who will watch their teams in bowl games and actually care. You will get to find out some of the new names who are actually good.
College football needs to start being forward thinkers like the NFL. The NFL owns from basically July -April every year. They spread out their draft, free agency, senior bowl, combines...the NFL gets it. College football has never gotten this and there is a reason why now it is a mess.
How do you close the gap between the ACC and the SEC/BIG 10? Legalize gambling in your states, put gambling portals in stadiums and be the first to do so. Florida has Hard Rock. I have no Idea what the situations are in other states but the revenue that would come from this move would help the ACC teams close the gap and quickly. They also need to be first...Don't let the SEC teams do it first. It may not be popular but it is going to happen eventually so you’re best to be first.
Early look at 2025
1- Texas - Feel they will be the best team in college football next year. Arch Manning will be in NY at the end of the year. CJ Baxter returning is huge. He is the guy no one is talking about. Baxter got injured and with him in the Ohio State game, they punch it in the end-zone. He is the real deal. Wisner will give them the lightning to Baxter-Thunder. Anthony Hill may be one of the best defensive players in the country.
2-Penn State - If true that Allen and Singleton are back along with Allar this team is going to be tough. The experience of making a run in the playoffs can't be overstated. Allar impressed me last year until the game against ND. He needs to take that next step. Landing Knowles from Ohio State to run the defense will only keep that side of the ball in good shape. This is a team that will once again be in the playoffs next season.
3-Oregon - They lose Dillon Gabriel but I feel that Dante Moore is better. Like with Texas, Oregon has upgraded at QB. Moore is the next super star QB in college football. Once that position is settled so is your team. Oregon has recruited at an elite level. This team is loaded with talent. Their incoming class fixes their issues in the secondary.
4-Ohio State - They return Jeremiah Smith and Caleb Downs - They lose their best back (Henderson) their best QB (Howard) their top two defensive ends. Their top LB. I know Ohio State reloads but it is a tough task to ask Julian Sayin to be the guy. Ohio State is going to have to spend so much money on Smith and Downs to keep them that other guys will end up leaving at some point. Ohio State will once again win 11 games but I don't expect them to be back in the title game.
5-LSU - Getting Garrett Nussmeier back is huge. EXPERIENCE, EXPERIENCE, EXPERIENCE. The one common theme for all the teams who made runs was EXPERIENCE AT QB. Nuss had a very good season. LSU had a good team two years ago...They really needed Daniels back this past year. Nuss will lead a very talented team. I expect LSU to finally get over the hump in the SEC. It would not shock me to see them play for the SEC title in 2025.
6-BYU - Jake Retzlaff returns. They also return their top RB in LJ Martin. BYU could be the ASU or Colorado of 2025. I expect them to be one of the teams to compete for the Big 12 Crown.
7- Georgia Bulldogs - One thing is for certain UGA will have an elite defense. That is going to keep them in every game. Can they replace Beck? Gunnar struggled in the playoffs. It will be interesting to see if he wins the job and if he does, keeps it. UGA OL needs to improve in 2025. I still feel Kirby is one of the best coaches in college football.
8-Clemson - Not a huge Cade Klubnik fan. He does bring a ton of experience that is huge. He is going to be the most experienced QB outside of Beck in the ACC. Who takes over at RB with Mafan gone? They do return their top two running backs. Broward and Woodaz will be the best pair of backers in the ACC.
9-Iowa State - You will see a trend here - Their starting QB returns. Becht is very good. Maybe the best QB in the BIG 12. After winning 11 games as well as bring your experienced QB back, that bodes well for the Cyclones. They also have one of the best coaches in College football.
10-Tennessee - Nico struggled against Ohio State but he is extremely talented. Think he gets better with another year of experience. Also think that Tennessee has recruited very well. Mike Matthews is a potentially elite WR. Peyton Lewis is very good. This is the best team on paper Tennessee has had with this coaching staff.
The rest of the top 25...
11-South Carolina
12-Notre Dame
13-ASU
14-Illinois
15-Alabama
16-SMU
17-Kansas State
18-Miami
19-Louisville
20-Michigan
21-Ole Miss
22-Iowa
23-USC
24-Boise State
25-Texas A&M
Lead into New Staff....It just seems like the guys hired are much more engaged in the program. I see the coaches on social media. I see the coaches more involved in recruiting. There is a much wider net being thrown. More offers are being put out there. FSU is doing what NATIONAL BRANDS should do and that is offer kids and lots of them. The reality is prospects still want to play for the Seminoles.
Size....You just look at the players FSU is recruiting and it looks like they belong at FSU. Take the new tight end offered out of IMG Kekua Amuua - He is not only big but I doubt you will see many other tight ends block like this kid. He is one of the better blocking tight ends you will see on film. I expect him to have 30 plus offers by the time spring football starts in Florida. He is from Hawaii. Kid can stay in Florida and play in warm weather. He will be one of the top tight ends in the country this year.
Junior Days - Want to give Pat, Curt, Nick, Bob and the entire crew of the Osceola a ton of credit for how they covered these junior days. Coverage has been great....Just wanted to give them props.
Prospects
TE- Kekua Aumua IMG Academy - 6'6-265- Love this kids film. Honestly it would not shock me to see him get recruited as an offensive tackle. He is already 6'6-260 pounds. He has the body to add the necessary weight. If he moves to tackle you may be looking at a potential top five pick in the NFL draft one day as a tackle. This is where you can get value. Left tackles are going to demand a ton of money. Tight ends are not going to command much money compared a to a tackle. This is where you have to overpay him a little as a tight end and move him once on campus. He is up there as one of my top targets.
DE-Jarius Rodgers - Fleming Island-6'5-215 - I expect Rodgers to be in FSU class. I always say watch the visits. He visited last summer for their camp. He is now on campus right after committing to Syracuse for their junior day. He is a little on the thin side but should have no problem adding weight to his frame.
LB-Duyon Forkpa-IMG Academy - 6'2-220 - I had him rated as one of the top backers in Georgia. I expect UGA to be one of the teams to beat. One thing you will notice on film is the kid can run. He was used off the edge. You will see him rush the passer. He does drop into coverage on film. He is someone that can play in space. He is not super fluid. His game reminds me of Kalen DeLoach.
LB-Karon Maycock-Miami Central - 6'2-210 - Miami seems to have a stranglehold on Miami Central of late. You would like to see FSU be able to get back into that program. Maycock has played safety so the coverage skills are there. He is an impressive looking player off the hoof. He is versatile. You can line him up at multiple positions on the field.
LB-Adam Balogoun Ali-Cardinal Newman-6'2-215 - Adam moved over to Cardinal Newman. Coach Daniels used to like to send his kids to UF. FSU took one of his players last year. Adam has been on high with FSU for a while now. I expect FSU to be in them mix for his commitment.
OG-GNivre Carr- IMG Academy- 6'4-330 - Comes from Ocala. He was on Trinity Catholic state title team two years ago. Maybe related to Greg Carr who played at FSU and at North Marion? Big and Wide. I discussed this many times with the new staff but they are recruited MEN...This kid looks like an SEC Body.
Ath-Bryce Williams- Western - 6'2-175 - Plays CB. Think his game is similar to the DB from recruited from Cardinal Newman last year. Big, long and athletic. Probably a better safety prospect. He is raw but you can see the upside.
LB-Kaden Henderson - Tampa Jesuit- 6'2-210 -FSU seems to be putting in a concerted effort to recruit Tampa this year. Should have happened last year. Henderson plays a hybrid DE/OLB position. He is someone that can put pressure on the quarterback. Also like his athletic ability. He can drop into coverage as well.
There are some other prospects that were offered and on campus for Junior Day that I will go back and evaluate them.
The ACC / ESPN mess...All I can say is 2036 is a long ways away. If FSU is stuck in the ACC as is Miami and Clemson they are going to have to find ways to make up the revenue gap and the programs in the Big 10 and SEC. You can't lose 40-50-60 million a year for over a decade and compete. I am still blown away how anyone associated with these programs or the conference who signed on for this have jobs. It is disgusting...
Spring Football - FSU is not having a spring game...Nebraska is not going to have a spring game. I would not be surprised if more teams do not have spring games. There is a simple solution to this. 1) Put the final portal window before spring practice. No players unless they graduate should be able to transfer once spring football starts.
2) Take all the Bowl Games that are not part of the playoffs and push them to April. This way you will have no one holding out. The so called reason the bowls were great was because of all the extra practices. Give each program another 5-10 days of practice. You now have fans who will watch their teams in bowl games and actually care. You will get to find out some of the new names who are actually good.
College football needs to start being forward thinkers like the NFL. The NFL owns from basically July -April every year. They spread out their draft, free agency, senior bowl, combines...the NFL gets it. College football has never gotten this and there is a reason why now it is a mess.
How do you close the gap between the ACC and the SEC/BIG 10? Legalize gambling in your states, put gambling portals in stadiums and be the first to do so. Florida has Hard Rock. I have no Idea what the situations are in other states but the revenue that would come from this move would help the ACC teams close the gap and quickly. They also need to be first...Don't let the SEC teams do it first. It may not be popular but it is going to happen eventually so you’re best to be first.
Early look at 2025
1- Texas - Feel they will be the best team in college football next year. Arch Manning will be in NY at the end of the year. CJ Baxter returning is huge. He is the guy no one is talking about. Baxter got injured and with him in the Ohio State game, they punch it in the end-zone. He is the real deal. Wisner will give them the lightning to Baxter-Thunder. Anthony Hill may be one of the best defensive players in the country.
2-Penn State - If true that Allen and Singleton are back along with Allar this team is going to be tough. The experience of making a run in the playoffs can't be overstated. Allar impressed me last year until the game against ND. He needs to take that next step. Landing Knowles from Ohio State to run the defense will only keep that side of the ball in good shape. This is a team that will once again be in the playoffs next season.
3-Oregon - They lose Dillon Gabriel but I feel that Dante Moore is better. Like with Texas, Oregon has upgraded at QB. Moore is the next super star QB in college football. Once that position is settled so is your team. Oregon has recruited at an elite level. This team is loaded with talent. Their incoming class fixes their issues in the secondary.
4-Ohio State - They return Jeremiah Smith and Caleb Downs - They lose their best back (Henderson) their best QB (Howard) their top two defensive ends. Their top LB. I know Ohio State reloads but it is a tough task to ask Julian Sayin to be the guy. Ohio State is going to have to spend so much money on Smith and Downs to keep them that other guys will end up leaving at some point. Ohio State will once again win 11 games but I don't expect them to be back in the title game.
5-LSU - Getting Garrett Nussmeier back is huge. EXPERIENCE, EXPERIENCE, EXPERIENCE. The one common theme for all the teams who made runs was EXPERIENCE AT QB. Nuss had a very good season. LSU had a good team two years ago...They really needed Daniels back this past year. Nuss will lead a very talented team. I expect LSU to finally get over the hump in the SEC. It would not shock me to see them play for the SEC title in 2025.
6-BYU - Jake Retzlaff returns. They also return their top RB in LJ Martin. BYU could be the ASU or Colorado of 2025. I expect them to be one of the teams to compete for the Big 12 Crown.
7- Georgia Bulldogs - One thing is for certain UGA will have an elite defense. That is going to keep them in every game. Can they replace Beck? Gunnar struggled in the playoffs. It will be interesting to see if he wins the job and if he does, keeps it. UGA OL needs to improve in 2025. I still feel Kirby is one of the best coaches in college football.
8-Clemson - Not a huge Cade Klubnik fan. He does bring a ton of experience that is huge. He is going to be the most experienced QB outside of Beck in the ACC. Who takes over at RB with Mafan gone? They do return their top two running backs. Broward and Woodaz will be the best pair of backers in the ACC.
9-Iowa State - You will see a trend here - Their starting QB returns. Becht is very good. Maybe the best QB in the BIG 12. After winning 11 games as well as bring your experienced QB back, that bodes well for the Cyclones. They also have one of the best coaches in College football.
10-Tennessee - Nico struggled against Ohio State but he is extremely talented. Think he gets better with another year of experience. Also think that Tennessee has recruited very well. Mike Matthews is a potentially elite WR. Peyton Lewis is very good. This is the best team on paper Tennessee has had with this coaching staff.
The rest of the top 25...
11-South Carolina
12-Notre Dame
13-ASU
14-Illinois
15-Alabama
16-SMU
17-Kansas State
18-Miami
19-Louisville
20-Michigan
21-Ole Miss
22-Iowa
23-USC
24-Boise State
25-Texas A&M
