Tribe 13's Time to Shine

With football season right around the corner, anticipation is high for the Seminoles to return to the field against Texas State, September 5th. This year, however, there is a different feel about the team. The reason Florida State is expected to take a step back this season is for a variety reasons, many stemming from the talent that is now in the NFL. Jimbo Fisher's 2012 recruiting class is basically all in the NFL now, leaving this 2013 class as the veterans of the team. But if we dig deeper, we see that this top 10 recruiting class, which is heading into its third year, has not produced to the level it was expected to. Outside of Jalen Ramsey and Nate Andrews - whom have both already become stars on defense - let's take a look at the 2013 class and what they have done here at FSU through two years (rankings according to ESPN.com):

Jalen Ramsey remembers, after beating Miami (again), he forgot to feed his pet goldfish before he left.

RS Sophomore Matthew Thomas (5-star, #1 Outside Linebacker, 6th overall) - athletic, long linebacker who's played in 12 games with 3 starts. He's battled injuries and his eligibility is currently up in the air.

Junior Ryan Green (4-star, #3 Athlete, 30th overall) - 39 carries for 194 yards at FSU, moved to corner-back this past off-season after barely seeing any action last season.

Junior DeMarcus Walker (4-star, #5 Defensive Tackle, 40th overall) - Started 14 of the 26 games  that he's played in, 47 tackles, 2 sacks.

Junior Levonte Whitfield (4-star, #7 Athlete, 73rd overall) - he had an excellent freshman season leading the nation in kickoff return average (36.4 YPR) including this, but only 11 catches for 145 yards in 2014.

Ira Denson (4-star, 4th Offensive Guard, 121st overall) - kicked off the team for several "theft crimes" including at least one that involved a gun.

RS Sophomore Keith Bryant (4-star, 14th Defensive Tackle, 27th in FL, 135th overall) - scout team in 2013, has played in one game (The Citadel) and recorded one tackle.

Junior Marquez White (4-star, 17th Corner - 4th by PrepStar, 7th in AL, 158th overall) - has appeared in 25 games and recorded 15 tackles, also played basketball for a season but never saw much action.

Isaiah Jones (4-star, 18th receiver, 160th overall) - large receiver with a lot of potential, left the team after being academically ineligible for the 2014 season.

RS Sophomore Ro'Derrick Hoskins (4-star, 14th Outside Linebacker, 35th in FL, 168th overall) - redshirted his freshman year and recorded just nine tackles last season.

Junior Freddie Stevenson (4-star, 15th Outside Linebacker, 44th in FL, 244th overall) - started 7 games last season and is expected to be this years full time starting fullback.

EJ Levenberry (4-star, 12th best Inside Linebacker, 12th in VA, 291st overall) - had an excellent freshman year with 39 tackles and 21 tackles in '13 but transferred to UConn this past offseason.

RS Sophomore Tyrell Lyons (4-star, 33rd Outside Linebacker, 74th in FL) - switched positions to defensive back and has recorded 3 total tackles for the team.

Junior Jesus Wilson (4-star, 62nd Receiver) - likely the highlight of this list, Wilson is the returning leader of an extremely young receiving corps. He has caught 45 passes for 527 yards, most all of which came last season.

Other players in this class that were three stars include John Franklin (transferred), Ryan Hoefield, Desmond Hollin, Davarez Bryant (never qualified), Wilson Bell, and Jeremy Kerr. The players on that list that are still on the team are expected to be major contributors this year.

As you can see, this class has been, to put it nicely, underwhelming. There are many reasons for this as the class has had many issues outside of football that have stalled their success. While the off-the-field and injury issues have stalled the group's success, the talent the Seminole's have played with ahead of them hasn't helped either. While setting a three-year draft record for players going to the NFL, there hasn't been much room on the field for this group to see action. With 10 drafted Seminoles moving on last season - including most players that would be seniors this year - this is predominantly the 2013 class' team to lead. Despite these setbacks, there is a good amount of potential remaining in this group, and it's time for it to live up to its hype.

This team has only 7 scholarship seniors - only one of which is on offense if you consider Everett Golson as the starter or backup - on its two-deep depth chart so experience is not something this team is known for. The 2013 class has now spent two full years and an off-season in this program and know what is expected of them. Demarcus Walker, Desmond Hollin, Jesus Wilson, Marquez White, and Keith Bryant should all have breakout seasons in 2015. If these players and others can turn into difference makers at their respective positions, it will take this team from one that could win the ACC to one that should break their way into the New Year's Day playoffs.

"Bobo" and "Kermit" take in practice and wonder how Giorgio Newberry is still on the team.

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