Taking a look at the Florida State’s #Tribe20 early signing class.
Florida State’s recruiting class was put in peril following Willie Taggart’s firing on Nov. 3 as it was uncertain who would take the reins of the Seminoles program.
Hiring Mike Norvell away from Memphis to become the next head coach in Tallahassee with just a couple weeks left until Wednesday’s early National Signing Day put the Noles coaching staff in hyper drive to secure a top class.
And after FSU whiffed on a high school quarterback for either of the past two recruiting cycles, instead relying on the transfer portal, the Seminoles made it a point in the days leading up to Wednesday to land a quarterback this year.
Boy, did Norvell and Co. get a quarterback.
Chubba Purdy, of Gilbert, Arizona, flipped his pledge from Louisville to join the Seminoles with his national letter of intent Wednesday. His commitment was one of two Norvell got at the quarterback position. Norvell also flipped Tate Rodemaker, a previous USF commit from Valdosta, Georgia, to sign with Noles.
FSU’s class entered Wednesday at No. 26 in the nation and No. 5 in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Here’s a look at who signed with Seminoles for their #Tribe20 class:
▪ CB Demorie Tate, Orlando Freedom: Tate is ranked the fifth-best cornerback in the nation, according to the 247 Sports’ composite rankings. Tate picked the Noles over offers from Miami, Alabama, Georgia and Auburn.
▪ OG Zane Herring, Madison County: A concern the past couple seasons for FSU fans is the offensive line play. Herring registered 59 pancake blocks last season, and has a knack or winning. At Madison County, he was part of three straight state titles in Class 1A.
▪ OC Thomas Shrader, Venice: Like with Herring, securing more depth up front was an objective for the Noles. Shrader is ranked the No. 13 center in the country and helped lead Venice to the Class 7A state semifinals.
▪ P Alex Mastromanno, Australia: Like bitter rival Florida, the Seminoles went to the Land Down Under to snag a punter. Mastromanno has no issues with physicality as he previously competed in Australian Rules football.
▪ RB Lawrance Toafili, Pinellas Park: With Cam Akers deciding to enter the NFL Draft, the running back position suddenly became a top need for FSU in this class. On Wednesday, the Noles landed Toafili, a four-star back who tallied more than 4,800 rushing yards for his career.
▪ DE Josh Griffis, IMG Academy: Originally from Starke, which is right in the heart of Gator Country, Griffis caught flak in his hometown after he committed to FSU. With the coaching staff change from Taggart to Norvell, Griffis ended up flipping to Louisville. But Norvell worked some magic in flipping Griffis, who is called “Big Country,” back to the Noles.
▪ WR Bryan Robinson, Palm Beach Central: The receiver was a target of Florida, Miami, Pittsburgh, Alabama and Nebraska but chose FSU instead.
▪ WR Kentron Poitier, Miami Palmetto: Poitier was heading to Syracuse until a late push saw him sign with FSU. Former Miami assistant and FSU alumnus Ron Dugans, who was retained by Norvell on his staff, was credited with getting Poitier to Tallahassee.
▪ WR Ja’Khi Douglas, Terrebonne (Houma, Louisiana)
▪ DT Manny Rogers, Jensen Beach
▪ TE Carter Boatwright, Colquitt County (Moultrie, Georgia)
▪ LB Jayion McCluster, Largo
▪ CB Stephen Dix Jr., Orlando Dr. Phillips
▪ S Jadarius Green-McKnight. Fort Myers Dunbar
▪ QB Tate Rodemaker, Valdosta (Georgia)
▪ QB Chubba Purdy, Perry (Gilbert, Arizona)
▪ Transfers: SDE Jarrett Jackson, Louisville.
