Is it realistic that Florida State can finish with the No. 1 recruiting class in the ACC?
Absolutely.
The Seminole sit atop the 247Sports Composite Conference Standings heading into the summer, and June 1 is only energizing a staff that puts as much time into recruiting as any other group of coaches in America.
That starts at the top with head coach Mike Norvell, an engaging recruiter who has a relationship with all of FSU’s top targets. Offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham works it as much as anyone nationally in his role, and defensive coordinator Adam Fuller has a plan in place from a personnel standpoint to rebuild the defense into one of the country’s best.
Defensive tackles coach Odell Haggins reputation as an ace recruiter goes back years and guys like Marcus Woodson who has already recruited the best cornerback class in this 2022 cycle (five-stars Travis Hunter and Sam McCall), along with offensive line coach Alex Atkins, receivers coach Ron Dugans and linebackers coach Chris Marve can go toe to toe with anyone for a coveted recruit too.
No off-field staffer has more relationships than Director of High School Relations Ryan Bartow who over the course of his career has been inside high school hallways from coast to coast.
This group will hit the ground running on June 1 as the Seminoles immediately welcome top targets in 2022 and 2023 to Tallahassee. FSU has the No. 10 class nationally in the 2022 cycle, which also includes touted quarterback AJ Duffy, and sit at No. 3 early in 2023.
However, only half the race has been completed.
For Florida State to end Clemson’s four-year run atop the ACC recruiting standings, it’s going to take a big close. We know Dabo Swinney and his staff are going to get their fair share. The good news is the Seminoles are in the thick of it for a enough blue-chippers to do so. Five-star receiver Kevin Coleman, legacy defensive line recruit Marvin Jones Jr., perhaps the fastest tight end in the country Jaleel Skinner, blue-chip offensive tackles Julian Armella and Elijah Pritchett, and perhaps the state’s top pass rusher Nyjalik Kelly to name a few, have Florida State near the top of their respective lists. June 11 and June 25 are going to be massive official visit weekends. The Seminoles are going to host nine camps mining for talent.
The ACC is in a uptick as a whole. Alongside Clemson, Mack Brown has North Carolina in the national conversation coming off a New Year’s Six Bowl appearance. Miami is coming off their best recruiting class in years. NC State returns 18 starters this season. Boston College is recruiting at new heights under Jeff Hafley. Georgia Tech is certainly improving under Geoff Collins and Virginia and Pittsburgh have had success too.
While the transfer portal has been good to FSU, the foundation of the program is going to be built to last through high school recruiting. It’s trending well so far heading into year two of the Norvell era.
