TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Recruits keep an eye on FSU

ADVERTISEMENT

By STEVE ELLIS

The Tallahassee Democrat

Published: October 22, 2009

Updated: 10/22/2009 12:22 am

The exposure that comes with tonight's game at North Carolina is something few college football programs can buy.

High school football players from around the country will tune into ESPN to watch Florida State take on the Tar Heels. It is a recruiting tool unlike any other. That would be especially true for FSU if it could snap a three-game losing skid and reveal a team that prospects want to be a part of in future years.

But a victory would only partially help a program that is off to its worst six-game start since it started 2-4 to begin the Bobby Bowden Era in 1976. FSU also has been to only one BCS bowl in the previous five seasons.

The uncertainty of Bowden's future at FSU - will he coach another year? - and head-coach-in-waiting Jimbo Fisher's duties must also be addressed.

Coaches say they are rarely asked about it, and multiple sources say a deal is in the works to give Fisher more authority, but that uncertainty is affecting recruiting, according to experts.

Said ESPN recruiting analyst Tom Luginbill: "Because of this uncertainty, and all of the unknowns about what is going to happen, who is in charge, who is doing what, and most importantly Jimbo Fisher not being able to have his guys in there from a staff standpoint that would be recruiting for Florida State - and not just recruiting for the interim - I think that is very, very important to the overall longtime projection of how this thing is going to play out."

Prospects see it, too. Pahokee wide receiver De'Joshua Johnson is one of 13 current commitments to FSU.

"They must come as one on the coaching staff," Johnson said.

A written contract defining the terms and responsibilities for Fisher as the next head coach can be expected soon, most likely after the regular season ends.

In the meantime, FSU coaches said they are pushing the positives of a program that is vulnerable. Johnson, who is being strongly recruited by South Florida and Alabama, said coaches from other schools are not negatively recruiting against FSU.

"(FSU coaches) are telling me to stay away from negative things and just stay positive about Florida State," Johnson said. "I'm trying to stay positive."

But Seminoles coaches said negative recruiting is taking place.

"Obviously there's concerns, but there is still a welcoming greeting when we walk into these schools," recruiting coordinator James Coley said. "We let them know Coach Bowden is the head coach and there is a future plan at Florida State after Coach Bowden.

"You're always going to get the negative recruiting. A lot of these other schools are out there with sledgehammers, machetes and axes. They are butchering our name. They are mixing in a lot of fiction to these kids. When two or three schools slander, when they talk bad about your university, obviously kids get worried about it. We just can't give them ammunition."

FSU has lost two commitments, with Lowndes County (Ga.) offensive linemen Ed Christian now pledged to Auburn and Duncan (S.C.) Byrnes defensive lineman Corey Miller a Tennessee commitment. Miller's teammate, highly touted running back Marcus Lattimore, has canceled a visit to Tallahassee and FSU has slipped on the lists of other top prospects.

At least two national recruiting analysts are split on what that means for the FSU program.

"They have lost a lot of traction," said Rivals.com recruiting analyst Jamie Newberg. "... It's not just the losses. It's the noise surrounding the program, the uncertainty of the staff."

Luginbill put a more positive spin on Seminoles recruiting.

"I think the bottom line is this, regardless of how things are perceived to be by the public, by fans, by the media and what have you, there is still a positive reflection upon the student-athlete when it comes to Florida State," Luginbill said. "There is still an aura there. There is still a history. There is still a persona that prospects are drawn to."

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT