FSU Recruiting Class Analysis: 2001
This was written following signing day and has been left alone
to give you a perspective on how the class was seen at the time. Obviously, some of
this has been overtaken by events.
What can you say? Quality + Quantity = Consensus #1. Nearly every recruiting expert had
the Seminoles' class as the best in the land, and it's easy to see why.
OFFENSE
Quarterback
2001 juniors: Anquan Boldin
2001 redshirt freshmen: Chris Rix
Signed: Matt Henshaw, Joe Mauer, Adrian McPherson
FSU couldn't catch a break for awhile, with the dismissal of Jared Jones and the
tribulations of Fabian Walker. Signing the nation's best crop of QBs helped, although
Anquan Boldin will still give it a shot in the spring. The question among the newcomers:
Will Mauer ever get to FSU, or will a seven-figure bonus lure him to play professional
baseball full-time?
Tailbacks
2001 seniors: Davy Ford
2001 juniors: Nick Maddox
2001 sophomores: Greg Jones
Signed: Eric Shelton, Willie Reid
A year after signing Jones, FSU's staff underscored its desire to toughen the running
game by signing the physical Shelton. Reid is a speedy runner that presents a nice
contrast to the bigger backs. The big question here is whether Maddox will return here or
decide to make receiver his permanent home.
Fullbacks
2001 seniors: William McCray
2001 sophomores: Randy Golightly
Signed: James Buchanan, Paul Irons
These guys are what you want in fullbacks -- physical players who relish knocking
people down, but with some athleticism, too.
Wide Receivers
2001 seniors: Atrews Bell, Robert Morgan, Javon Walker
2001 juniors: Talman Gardner, Greg Moore, Anquan Boldin
2001 sophomores: Devard Darling
Signed: P.K. Sam, Craphonso Thorpe
Will Boldin be here? Will Maddox be here? Will Moore finally be healthy? Questions,
questions. A couple of playmakers like Sam and Thorpe will find opportunity, and if
they're as good as advertised, they may well take advantage of it. Thorpe, in particular,
will get a chance to jazz up FSU's return game.
Tight Ends
2001 seniors: Carver Donaldson
2001 juniors: Patrick Hughes
Signed: Justin Tomerlin
Tomerlin, oft-listed as a defensive end, prefers offense. He has some serious size and
athleticism, and if he develops as hoped, he could eventually be the long-needed impact
tight end who can both block and catch at a high level.
Offensive Linemen
2001 senior (maybe): Ronald Boldin*
2001 seniors: Ross Brannon, Otis Duhart, Antoine Mirambeau*
2001 juniors: Brett Williams, Montrae Holland, Todd Williams, Milford Brown
2001 redshirt freshmen: Alex Barron, David Castillo, Bobby Meeks, Ray Willis
Signed: Eric Broe, Matt Heinz, Andrew Henry-Kennon, Ron Lunford, Matt Meinrod,
Blake Williams
* Boldin was a partial qualifier in 1997 who can earn eligibility for 2001 by
graduating in four years. If Boldin does not graduate or chooses not to return, then that
would be one more available scholarship. Mirambeau was a partial qualifier in 1998 who can
earn eligibility for 2002 by graduating in four years.
Has FSU ever signed a better group of linemen? It remains to be seen, but this is a
stellar group with a good distribution across the line. Brown, the juco transfer, will
compete for a job immediately and the others will try to earn some snaps and provide
much-needed depth.
DEFENSE
Defensive Line
2001 seniors: Eric Powell
2001 juniors: Rian Cason, Octavis Jackson, Tony Benford, Chris Woods, Alonzo Jackson
2001 sophomores: Kevin Emanuel, Jeff Womble, Darnell Dockett, Charles Howard
2001 redshirt freshmen: Travis Johnson
Signed: Donnie Carter
An unusually light class by FSU standards; the 'Noles generally like to sign a few
every year just because. Carter is a good one, though, and with the wealth of young
talent, FSU should be fine. It'll be time for restocking next February, though.
Linebackers
Leaving: Brian Allen, Tommy Polley
2001 seniors: Bradley Jennings
2001 juniors: Jerel Hudson
2001 sophomores: Corey Collier, Kendyll Pope, Michael Boulware
2001 freshmen: Eric Moore
Signed: Ray Piquion, B.J. Dean, Marcello Church, Chauncey Davis, Willie Jones
DeVaughn Darling, we hardly knew you. Rest in peace.
FSU finally signed a large class of linebackers. Let's hope they all qualify. Speaking
of qualifying, latest reports are that 2000 signee Eric Moore has his test score and will
be at FSU in the fall. Piquion is already in school and gets a head start with spring
practice.
'backer Robert May, who will get every chance to play.
Defensive Backs
2001 seniors: Abdual Howard, Chris Hope
2001 juniors: Malcolm Tatum, Stanford Samuels
2001 sophomores: Rufus Brown, Yohance Buchanan
2001 redshirt freshmen: Leroy Smith, Bryant McFadden, Claudius Osei, B.J. Ward
Signed: Gerard Ross, Kyler Hall, Jerome Carter, Dominic Robinson
This potential of this group inspires memories of the best players to ever roam FSU's
secondary. They have a long way to go, but the tools are there. While jumping into the mix
at cornerback, Robinson will also get his chance to show his return skills.
SPECIALISTS
Signed: Xavier Beitia
Beitia was considered one of the best kickers in the nation, and will get every chance
to be the answer to last year's placekicking woes.
