FSU lands talented OLB from Alabama

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Florida State picked up its 11th commitment for the 2016 class on Monday afternoon when Phenix City, Ala., outside linebacker Jamal Couch pulled the trigger. He made his announcement on Twitter in the early evening.

Verbally committing to the Florida State University#Seminoles #GoNoles pic.twitter.com/INd6kBh0TB- C6Agency™ (@couchjamal) March 10, 2015

The three-star prospect camped at FSU last year and also visited Florida State for its junior day last month. Warchant.com spoke with his head coach at Central High School, Jamey Dubose, about the No. 19-ranked player in the state of Alabama.

"Yes, Jamal committed to Florida State this afternoon. I counseled him and made sure he was sure about the commitment, and Jamal told me that's where he wanted to be and he's been thinking about it ever since he went down there," Dubose said. "He visited Florida State with his parents, and he really liked it. Jamal told me this has been in the back of his mind for a while."

According to Dubose, there aren't many positions that Couch can't play in their defense, but he plays mostly outside linebacker and receiver, which is where some schools like Couch the best.

"He's a dynamic player, very athletic. Not only is he a great defensive player at outside linebacker, but he plays a lot of offense at receiver," Dubose said. "He's long, has great hands and plays on all our special teams. I remember talking to another coach from an SEC school [who] says he looks like he's running at ease, but he's covering five yards when he runs."

Florida State already had a connection to Central, as defensive coordinator Charles Kelly was a linebackers coach there early in his career.

"I've known Coach Kelly all the way back to when he coached at Georgia Tech and I was at Prattville when we had Justin Shanks and Justin Thomas. He didn't get Shanks, but he was able to persuade Thomas to go to Georgia Tech," Dubose said. "He's very honest to players and very personable and relates well to the players and high school coaches, and that's the big thing."

What will the No. 50-ranked outside linebacker bring to FSU's defense?

"He covers so much ground with his speed, and his arms are very long. He has a long wing span, but he's also a very physical player that teams are going to have a hard time throwing over him in the flat," Dubose said. "If he blitzes, he's going to do a lot of damage there too. I think there are a lot of areas where he can disrupt things. I don't think he's even hit his upside yet."

Couch becomes the third linebacker commitment for FSU. In February, Emmett Rice made his pledge to the Seminoles, and junior college standout Tyree Horton pledged last week.