After Florida State finished 12-2 and watched 11 former players get selected in the 2013 NFL Draft last April — more than any other college that night — many wondered how the ‘Noles would replace so many talented players and whether a rebuilding year was inevitable.
Fortunately for Seminole Nation, the ‘Noles reloaded. Jimbo Fisher’s first recruiting class as head coach, inked in February of 2010, stepped up to the challenge with spectacular results: Seven of the players signed that year became key starters for the 2013 undefeated BCS National Champions, with six of them entering the NFL Draft. In all, FSU has 13 newly-former players and in Part 2 of our three-part series, we’ll try to predict which ones will be drafted and when, and which ones will be probably be going pro in something other than sports:
ROUNDS 2-4
DEVONTA FREEMAN – Another member of the first-ranked 2011 recruiting class, Freeman is all about consistency. Every time a running back went down with an injury, whether it was Chris Thompson or James Wilder Jr., Freeman was always there to step into the void and keep the chains moving. In the end, Freeman became the first back at Florida State since Warrick Dunn in 1996 to break the 1,000-yard rushing mark in a season. So what does Freeman do well? Just about everything. He’s 5’8″, just like Dunn, and has the same compact frame that makes him tough to see in the hole. No back his size has any business running with the power and physicality that Freeman has, showing great balance. He catches well and is very durable. Perhaps the best part of his game is his pass protection. At the NFL level, running backs need to be able to execute their pass blocking assignments to see the field or else the offense tips off the defense to what its doing. Freeman seems to thrive off pass protection and seems to seek out the physical contact. So what is Freeman missing? Elite athleticism: He doesn’t have home run speed or the big frame. Still, he possesses a complete game and even though today’s NFL devalues the running back position to an extent, he should still be one of the first 5 or 6 backs off the table.
NFL comparison – Frank Gore or Emmitt Smith
Draft Prediction – Round 3 Pick 93 – New England Patriots
CHRISTIAN JONES – Jones was a product of the 2010 recruiting class- a heralded 5-star prospect that never quite had the impact on the field that ‘Nole fans hoped for and in some ways, is the opposite of Devonta Freeman; Jones possesses the elite athleticism that’s almost required at the NFL level, but his instincts and techniques need work. He processes the game slowly and thus reacts and diagnoses plays slower than others. He was moved to defensive end after the Boston College game. His hand technique could use some work too. What he can do is fly. He’s a sideline to sideline player that can play Sam or Will linebacker in a 4-3 scheme and his experience at defensive end will serve him well if he’s drafted by a 3-4 team. He can freakishly – at 6’3″ and 240 pounds – run with tight ends, backs and slot receivers down the field step-for-step for a good 30 or 40 yards. He also improved as the year went on. His versatility, his athleticism plus NFL coaches’ egos will get him drafted highly. And if they can get him to recognize what he’s seeing more quickly, and to be more physical, his play could quickly reach the All-Pro level. Jones could definitely end up a better pro than a collegiate.
NFL comparison – Manny Lawson? Tough to compare.
Draft Prediction – Many teams need a 4-3 outside linebacker and as such it’s impossible to predict where Jones will land. He could go in the middle of the 2nd round or the end of the 3rd. In lieu of a number, expect either the Cardinals, Eagles, Dolphins or Giants to scoop him up.
TERRENCE BROOKS – A member of the 2010 class, Brooks came in at the cornerback position and ended his career at safety. As such, at 5’11” and 200 pounds, he has the size of a cornerback but hits like a safety. He’s also horribly underrated. A great athlete, he plays fast and has great instincts. His speed is enough to change a quarterback’s decision making and alter throws. He’s also ridiculously aggressive in run support, often coming out of nowhere to make a tackle. The downside to that is he sometimes plays out of control and will miss tackles, and has missed game time for concussions. He also drops easy interceptions, but the upside to that is he is consistently in the right place at the right time. As it stands Brooks should immediately be a very good backup, and if he can learn the proper tackling technique to break down and wrap up while getting better at catching those potential picks, he could easily become a rangy full-time starter who can also drop down into the box in run support.
NFL comparison – Brooks has been compared to Louis Delmas, now of the Miami Dolphins, and that’s a good comparison.
Draft Prediction – Brooks is probably outside the top 5 prospects at the position so he’ll be slotted at Round 3 Pick 98 – Green Bay Packers
LAMARCUS JOYNER – When it comes to Lamarcus Joyner, there are no words that will do him justice. Joyner does not owe FSU fans anything. He’s given all of himself to becoming one of the greatest ‘Noles to ever don the Garnet & Gold. The very first 5-star prospect of Jimbo Fisher’s first class at Florida State in 2010, Joyner bought into what Fisher was selling from day one and helped lure in other great athletes. It was Joyner who first believed in Fisher, and set out to bring Florida State “back”. It’s safe to say he did. A great guy, a great player, and an irreplaceable leader, Joyner led FSU to an undefeated national title season in 2013 and Seminole Nation will be forever grateful. It’s hard not to fail miserably at describing just how good he is: Joyner is as strong and ferocious, instinctual and intense as a werewolf cross-bred with a mythical gryphon with what can only be described as frightening nightmare-inducing closing speed. Insanely opportunistic, productive, and durable, Joyner simply does it all. So what’s stopping Joyner from being a 1st Round talent? His size. Joyner is only 5’8″ tall and listed at 184 pounds. As such he will struggle to match up as a corner to NFL receivers and after Bob Sanders, people are more than hesitant to put a player smaller than 5’10” at safety. Even with his tweener body type, Joyner is simply a special playmaker, and at the very least he will play on special teams and in nickel/blitz packages.
NFL comparison – Captain Munnerlyn, who is also short at only 5’9″ but not nearly as scary.
Draft Prediction – There is always hope that some NFL team will fall in love with Joyner and reach for him in the 3rd Round, but odds are they won’t. Round 4 Pick 108 – Minnesota Vikings
TELVIN SMITH – Another member of the 2010 recruiting class, Telvin Smith is another fan favorite. [When I met him at Fan Appreciation Day a few years ago, he took a picture of me! I always thought it was supposed to be the other way around!] Very charismatic and intensely passionate, Telvin is a natural. He’s fast, ridiculously instinctual, and a reliable tackler. He’s also a good cover linebacker in a zone scheme. It almost seems as if he’s also badly underrated. If Christian Jones had Telvin’s instincts or Telvin had Jones’ body, they’d be top 20 picks. At 6’3″ and 218 pounds, he’s a bit undersized. He’s a hard gainer, only gaining eight pounds since coming out of high school, but if he can bulk up in the NFL to around 230, watch out – Telvin could easily be an All-Pro in the right zone scheme. As it stands now, at the NFL level, if Telvin can’t tack on the mass, he will struggle to cover bigger gifted tight ends such as Jimmy Graham or Rob Gronkowski. Still, Telvin should be just fine at the next level.
NFL comparison – Wesley Woodyard – both are deemed undersized but rangy
Draft Prediction – It’s very possible for Smith to get scooped up in the 4th by the Cowboys at pick 119. If he slides past that, don’t be surprised if the Buccaneers look his way in Round 5.
