The big target

There's no denying there's a recruiting pipeline from Tallahassee-Lincoln High to Florida State. At least one Lincoln player has been part of the last seven recruiting classes. That streak is guaranteed to reach eight with tight end Jabaris Little, but the Seminoles would love to sign, Little's teammate Bryant as well.

Bryant is considered one of the fastest and most physical defensive backs in the 2008 recruiting class. He also was named to the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, though an ankle injury kept him from playing.

As a senior, the 6-foot-1, 175-pound corner recorded 30 tackles and four interceptions. He's picked off 15 passes over the last three seasons.

Bryant has been mostly mum on his recruitment so far, but he has named six finalists – Florida State, LSU, Alabama, Florida, Miami and Southern Cal.

He could immediately do some good for a cornerback group that could lose a player or two to suspension for academic misconduct. On top of that, some of the corners have struggled since they've arrived in Tallahassee, sliding up and down the depth chart.

Bryant could be someone who could eliminate the big passing plays that hurt FSU's secondary. Chances are, they won't know his decision until signing day.

What FSU is still looking for

Defensive End

On the list – Everett Dawkins (6-2, 242) Duncan, S.C.; Toshmon Stevens (6-5, 198) Crescent City, Fla.; Markus White (6-4, 245) El Dorado, Kan.

On the radar – Quinton Coples (6-7, 235) Chatham, Va.; Leon Mackey (6-5, 258) Chatham, Va.

Analysis – With juco superstar White as its crown jewel, this defensive end crop already is an outstanding one. White's late surge and NJCAA defensive player of the year award made him FSU's second five-star prospect (QB E.J. Manuel lost a star in recent weeks). Dawkins is solid, while Stevens is an intriguing project. The signing day haul could get even better if Florida State can grab Hargrave Military's two studs, Coples and Mackey. The Seminoles could use some defensive end help. Injuries and suspensions manhandled the unit's depth and the coaches need a bookend for pass rusher Everette Brown.

Defensive Line

On the list – Anthony Hill (6-4, 301) Pensacola, Fla.; Moses McCray (6-2, 268) Tampa, Fla.

On the radar – Corey Liuget (6-3, 260) Hialeah, Fla.

Analysis – Defensive tackle is another position of need this recruiting season. Andre Fluellen has graduated and should be an NFL draft pick. Letroy Guion surprisingly bolted for the draft after his junior year as well. A decent core remains, led by wild man Budd Thacker, but it is not yet know how much the academic misconduct suspensions will affect the unit. Hill and McCray could play pretty quickly. Liuget would be a great pickup, but several schools, most notably LSU and Illinois, are vying for his services.

Secondary

On the list – Travis Arnold (5-10, 184) Madison, Fla.; Terrence Parks (6-1, 200) Fairburn, Ga.

On the radar – T.J. Bryant (6-1, 175) Tallahassee, Fla.

Analysis – It's starting to sound like a broken record, but true freshmen will have a chance at playing time at this position. Suspensions are one reason, but they also might have a chance to beat out some upperclassmen that have disappointed. Parks fills a serious need at free safety, with Roger Williams gone and no player a lock to step into the starting role. Arnold, another standout safety, is headed to junior college. Bryant, one of Rivals.com's top 100 recruits could make an immediate impact at corner.

Linebacker

On the list – Nigel Bradham (6-2, 230) Crawfordville, Fla.; Nigel Carr (6-3, 220) Jacksonville, Fla.; Nick Moody (6-1, 218) Philadelphia, Pa.; Vincent Williams (6-0, 210) Davenport, Fla.

On the radar – Marcus Robinson (6-2, 210) Homestead, Fla.

Analysis – This unit is as solid as the Seminoles have right now. They have the luxury of having two recruits – No. 1 OLB prospect Bradham and No. 10 ILB prospect Williams – already signed to grants-in-aid and in school. Carr and Moody only make the better and wooing Robinson away from Miami could make it one of, if not the best LB class in the country. Robinson still feels good about the Hurricanes, though. This is another position where freshmen could play immediately. Geno Hayes skipped his senior year to apply for the NFL draft and a couple other linebackers could be caught up in the academic misconduct scandal.

Athlete

On the list – None.

On the radar – Ed Imoekparia (6-0, 188) Blairstown, N.J.; Jarmon Fortson (6-3, 220) Columbus, Ga.

Analysis – Imoekparia could step in at either corner or safety. That should help this recruiting class, especially since Arnold will take the juco route. Fortson is being scouted on both offense and defense. He could play linebacker, safety, wide receiver or tight end. But it won't be easy pulling him away from Auburn. With OC Jimbo Fisher and WR coach Lawrence Dawsey recruiting him, FSU has a shot.

Current oral commitments

Travis Arnold

DB, 6-4, 182,

Madison, Fla.

Nigel Bradham

LB, 6-2, 230,

Crawfordville, Fla.

Nigel Carr

LB, 6-3, 220,

Jacksonville, Fla.

Everett Dawkins

DE, 6-2, 242,

Duncan, S.C.

Anthony Hill

DT, 6-4, 301,

Pensacola, Fla.

Moses McCray

DT, 6-2, 268,

Tampa, Fla.

Terrance Parks

DB, 6-1, 200

Fairburn, Ga.

Toshmon Stevens

DE, 6-5, 198,

Crescent City, Fla.

Markus White

DE, 6-4, 245

El Dorado, Kan.

Vincent Williams

LB, 6-0, 210

Davenport, Fla.