The current state of Florida State's roster has left many completely bewildered. Following a 13-1 season, the whiplash from a 1-5 start has left many fans rethinking everything about the development and acquisition of the roster.

Over the last few weeks, the Osceola has taken a stab at identifying how this rapid decline could have happened. We have looked at how the use of the portal has affected the program, both positively and negatively. But the portal is only one half of the equation. What of Florida State's high school recruiting?

In part one, the Osceola's Bob Ferrante took a look at Florida State's 2021 and 2022 recruiting classes and how the results from those classes have shaped the current roster.

In part two today, we will be looking at the early returns of Florida State's 2023 recruiting class and the future that presents itself in the recently signed 2024 class.

The Seminoles took 18 players in their No. 26 ranked 2023 class. The class had an average star ranking of 3.57, which was good enough for 14th in the country. Compare that to the 3.47 (16th, 2022) and 3.24 (21st, 2021) average star ranking of the previous two classes, and the 2023 class continued an upward trajectory.

Florida State had begun to attract more elite talent with a 10-win season and that upward trend has continued. The 2024 class saw another modest jump with an average star ranking of 3.61 (15th) and despite the scrambling of the unsigned (and low in numbers) 2025 class, Florida State is third with an average star ranking of 4.0.

While the rankings may not reflect it, the quality of player that Florida State signed in 2023 and 2024 were large improvements over the classes that they were signing in years prior. Florida State had been able to find talent in its 2021 and 2022 recruiting classes but you've had to comb through the misses and unfinished projects. At the very least, the talent of the 2023 high school class is proving itself early and it seems to be more evenly spread across the board.

While Florida State has been able to sign better players recently, the program has only seemed to be able to land a wealth of players in a few positions while some other position groups have struggled.

Florida State has been successful at running back and even more successful at defensive back.

2024 signee Kam Davis has already earned snaps as a true freshman, though he is built like a junior. Micahi Danzy is pressing for more playing time in the coming weeks, though as a summer enrollee, he is admittedly a step behind. Sam Singleton is a class of 2023 signee that we have yet to see much of on Saturdays — but from what we have in practices he has the skillset to factor in once Toafili graduates.

At defensive back, 2023 signees Edwin Joseph and Quindarrius Jones have been bright spots at corner. Jospeh has one of Florida State's two interceptions this season. While in a bit of a sophomore slump, Conrad Hussey showed that he can be very productive in his freshman season. KJ Kirkland has been getting valuable reps in his second year after missing time last season and filled in commendably during Shyheim Brown's one game absence. Behind them, the 2024 defensive back class was considered to be one of the best in the country on signing day. Most consistently, Ricky Knight III has been a turnover machine in his practice reps.

On the other side of the equation, Florida State has continued to flounder at other positions. The easy choices are linebacker and defensive end.

The Seminoles lost their most highly rated defensive end prospect in back to back cycles on signing day, watching Keldric Faulk flip to Auburn and Armondo Blount to Miami. Faulk has five sacks and 27 tackles in his second year on The Plains.

2023 signees Jaden Jones and Lamont Green Jr. have not factored in yet at Florida State, both due to injury. Green Jr. may yet have an opportunity to contribute with graduating upperclassmen. Jones' chances to contribute have been heavily delayed by injury and with the use of the portal to fill needs at defensive end in recent years, a climb up the depth chart when healthy may prove challenging.

Additionally, it's far too early to judge 2024 signee DD Holmes as he is likely destined for a redshirt. Florida State's second defensive end signee in 2024, Amaree Williams, has been playing exclusively tight end since arriving on campus.

The Benjamin School (Fla.) athlete played both positions in high school and while a plan may have been in place to have Williams play tight end early and then transition to the defensive side of the ball, early success as a pass catcher may have flipped that plan on it's head. Tight end is another position that has relied heavily on transfer portal additions and standout walk-ons. It would not be surprising to see FSU ride the wave instead of the fence in terms of Williams' position.

As bad as things have been at the linebacker position, 2023 signee Blake Nichelson has flashed in his second year and looks to be the linebacker of the present and future. The Seminoles may have also completely lucked out with the addition of Justin Cryer, who joined the Seminoles as a transfer after Pat Fitzgerald was fired at Northwestern during the summer of 2023. Cryer contributed on special teams his freshman season and has come on in his sophomore year as a passionate, energetic player.

2023 signee Dylan Brown-Turner has already transferred out of Tallahassee, whereas DeMarco Ward has not earned too much playing time this season but has graded well by PFF when he has. It will be interesting to see if he does play more with the loss of DJ Lundy for the season. There are many young options at linebacker but only Nichelson was particularly coveted out of hight school.

This may come as a shock to you. But Florida State's offense is not very good.

According to PFF, Florida State has a 10.3% drop rate (130th) with 19 drops on the season. Only Kent State stands in the way of the Seminoles having the worst rushing attack in the country, averaging 58 rushing yards a game.

But this article isn't about the problem, it's about its future solutions.

Against Clemson on Oct. 5, the future not only shined but it accounted for most of the offense. Redshirt freshman Brock Glenn accounted for 228 of Florida State's 250 yards offensively. True freshman tight end Landen Thomas was the team's leading receiver with 80 receiving yards on seven catches. The other true freshman tight end, the aforementioned Amaree Williams, also snagged his first touchdown reception.

Sophomore Hykeem Williams was the second leading receiver with 53 yards on four receptions. Williams will need to be a consistent contributor moving forward as he is the last of the receivers brought in with the 2023 class. Both Goldie Lawrence (FAMU) and Vandrevious Jacobs (South Carolina) decided to depart in the transfer portal after their true freshman seasons.

Hindsight being what it is, Jacobs' departure in favor of multiple WR transfer additions seems to have been a misplay.

And then there is the young offensive talent we have only seen behind closed doors. The 2024 class may not see many more players crack the rotation this season but the true freshmen Lawayne McCoy, BJ Gibson, and Elijah Moore have all had impressive moments within the confines of the Florida State IPF.

There was a period of time where true freshman running back Micahi Danzy broke a long run or had a chunk play in the passing game in every practice.

It goes without saying that these moments of talent need to be displayed on Saturdays and that there is a grain of salt to be taken with what these freshman do in practice. But the eye test has to stand for something and with Florida State nudging closer and closer to a full-on youth movement, perhaps more of these freshman will get the opportunity to showcase what they can do in the back half of the season.

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