With four wide receivers departing from the 2016 roster and three of four scholarship tight ends entering their fourth or fifth seasons this fall, Florida State had some heavy lifting to do this recruiting cycle when it came to replenishing its passing game.
And while the Seminoles missed out on one of their highly coveted wideout targets (Alabama signee Henry Ruggs), FSU head coach Jimbo Fisher, receivers coach Lawrence Dawsey and tight ends coach Tim Brewster are clearly happy with their haul.
Dawsey landed four-star receiver D.J. Matthews and three-star Tamorrion Terry, while Brewster brought in four-star tight end Alex Marshall and three-star Tre McKitty.
Here’s a look at FSU’s pass-catchers of the future:
It was four years ago that FSU receivers coach Lawrence Dawsey first saw Jacksonville product D.J. Matthews play football. And to this day, he remembers rushing back to describe the then-high school freshman to Seminoles coach Jimbo Fisher.
“This is gonna be one we’re gonna want,” Dawsey remembers telling Fisher. “He was special.”
One year later, Florida State not only had offered Matthews a scholarship, but the then-sophomore had committed. And now that he’s signed, Dawsey can’t wait to get him in preseason camp this summer.
“He’s a difference maker,” Dawsey said. “We won’t be disappointed with this one.”
Because Matthews’ Trinity Christian team needed help at quarterback this season, Matthews actually didn’t play wide much receiver as a senior. Instead, he often lined up at quarterback, where he racked up more than 1,200 yards combined as a runner and passer. He also had nearly 300 yards receiving.
