’Noles recruiting targets at quarterback becoming clear

Dustin Lewis | Staff Writer

The Seminoles recruiting staff has already targeted some of the top quarterbacks in the 2017 and 2018 classes.

The number-one option in the class of 2017 is five-star quarterback Justin Fields out of Kennesaw, GA. Fields is ranked as the number six overall player and the number one dual-threat quarterback in the nation by the 247Composite Rankings. He committed to Penn State in December, but backed off of that commitment on June 6. Fields finished his junior year by passing for 2770 yards with 23 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. He also recorded 1176 rushing yards and 15 rushing touchdowns.

Fields is looking at several schools, but Florida State has as good a chance as any to land him. Florida was initially favored, but schools like Auburn, Georgia and FSU have made way after his de-commitment from Penn State. Fisher and his staff have made significant progress in developing a relationship with the star quarterback. He recently visited the campus and had a chance to work out in front of Jimbo Fisher. Fields seemed to have loved the visit and the Seminoles’ coaching staff is confident.

FSU is planning accordingly in the scenario that they do not get Fields. Currently, they are in play for two rising quarterback prospects.

Tyler Shough is a three-star quarterback out of Chandler, AZ, and is rated as the number fifteen pro style passer in the nation. He came onto the scene after a breakout junior season that saw him pass for 2079 yards with 27 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. Shough was planning to visit Florida State this summer but that could change after his commitment to North Carolina.

The top-rated quarterback in the state of Kansas is Jace Ruder. Ruder is rated as a three-star recruit and the number 18 dual threat quarterback in the country. Ruder has come, seemingly and literally, out of nowhere to become one of the hotter names in the class during the spring. He hails from Norton, KS and is four and a half hours away from the nearest airport. Ruder finished his junior campaign with 1598 passing yards and 14 touchdowns with 8 interceptions. He attending the Jimbo Fisher Football Camp last week but committed to North Carolina on June 19. Fisher his staff will continue to work on Ruder and Shough to see if their commitments can be swayed from the Tar Heels.

Class of 2017 signal caller Will Levis also traveled to Tallahassee after he was invited to the Jimbo Fisher Football Camp. Levis’ throws impressed the coaches, as he left campus with a scholarship offer. He is a less-polished option but could come more into the fold if the Seminoles are unable to land Justin Fields.

Grant Gunnell is a quarterback in the class of 2018 that Fisher would like to land very badly. Unfortunately, the four-star quarterback just recently gave his pledge to Texas A&M. Gunnell’s brother is a walk-on player on the Aggies roster, and they reside in his home state of Texas.

Gunnell has exceptional mechanics and an elite arm, and that showed in his sophomore season. He finished his second year of high school with 4,973 passing yards and 65 touchdowns to 11 interceptions. No wonder college coaches are salivating over the 6’6” gunslinger.

Obviously, the Seminoles have fallen pretty far behind here. However, Texas A&M’s Athletic Director has openly expressed that he does not want the team to have another mediocre season on the gridiron. The Aggies have finished 8-5 in each of the last three seasons and haven’t won ten or more games since 2012. If A&M head coach Kevin Sumlin is fired, that could have a major impact on Gunnell’s commitment.

Once again, it is important for Florida State to get Gunnell back to campus. Fortunately, they do have a lot of time to attempt to sway his decision before 2018 prospects can sign. The ‘Noles are in for a tough battle with A&M, Arkansas, and LSU, as well as other competitors that will emerge throughout his recruitment.

It’s still early in the recruiting process and the prospects will sort themselves out as we inch closer to the newly instituted early signing period, which allows players to sign their letters of intent from December 20th-22nd. Coach Fisher and his staff will host their annual football camps throughout June. These camps will feature some of the top prospects in the entire country, as well as quarterback targets that FSU will be working overtime to land.

Fisher is one of the top recruiters in the country and he has fortified his staff with coaches that want to build relationships with players. In the end, player to coach relationships have a huge factor in recruitments. The players want coaches they can trust, and Florida State is one of the best in the business when it comes to becoming comfortable with the coaching staff. Even with the odds not in their favor, you can never count out such a proficient staff during the tense wars that are being waged throughout the recruiting trail.