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Adding Asante Samuel Jr. Would Strengthen Florida State’s DBU Claim
Florida State is leading for 4-star cornerback Asante Samuel Jr., and adding him to their 2018 recruiting class would help Jimbo Fisher's Seminoles strengthen their claim for the DBU title.
February 13, 2017
Florida State is leading for 4-star cornerback Asante Samuel Jr., and adding him to their 2018 recruiting class would help Jimbo Fisher’s Seminoles strengthen their claim for the DBU title.
On National Signing Day, Jimbo Fisher pulled yet another rabbit out of his hat when the Seminoles signed 5-star defensive tackle Marvin Wilson.
The addition of the No. 1 defensive tackle in the country is another step toward building an elite defense in Tallahassee. Wilson will join former blue-chip signees like Brian Burns, Derwin James, Dontavious Jackson and Levonta Taylor, and will likely find a lot of playing time next season. There is a bright future for FSU’s defense, and the next piece of that defensive puzzle may just be in the 2018 recruiting class.
Four-star prospect Asante Samuel Jr., the son of former UCF cornerback and Super Bowl champion Asante Samuel, is ranked as the No. 14 cornerback and No. 107 overall player in the country. Recently, Samuel told 247Sports that Florida State has emerged as his No. 1 school.
“FSU is at the top right now,” Samuel said. “It’s about the coaches, the players, the tradition, I love it.”
Samuel, who measures in at 5-foot-10, 165 lbs, will likely make his college commitment either before or during his senior season for Ft. Lauderdale, Florida powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas High School. The decision will ultimately come down to his comfort level with the program and his future coaches.
Though currently at the top, the ‘Noles won’t have it easy in his recruitment. There are some SEC powers vying to get Samuel on campus soon in hope of winning him over.
“FSU, Alabama, Auburn and that’s about it for right now,” he said in terms of unofficial visits being planned. “I’m probably not going to FSU for the Junior Day, but right after that, like end of February or March. I’d like to get to Alabama and Auburn as soon as possible, too.”
If Florida State can lure Samuel to the state’s capital, it would not only bolster the program’s defense, but also strengthen claims for the DBU title.
While Florida and LSU have been engaged in a tug-of-war for the DBU distinction for quite some time, Florida State’s production in the secondary has inserted the Seminoles squarely into the debate.
James is an elite safety capable of being a first-round pick if he stays healthy, and Taylor is primed for a breakout season in 2017. There’s also Tarvarus McFadden, who has performed well for FSU.
More will soon be added to the mix. Florida State’s 2017 haul also features 5-star cornerback Stanford Samuels III, 4-star safety Cyrus Fagan and 4-star safety Hamsah Nasirildeen.
Adding Samuel would keep the assembly line moving, and the defensive backfield locked down for the foreseeable future.
If they pan out, this current crop will be mentioned in the same breath as recent stars Jalen Ramsey, Ronald Darby, P.J. Williams, Lamarcus Joyner, Xavier Rhodes and Patrick Robinson. It’s a parade of talent anchored by the legacy of the greatest defensive back to ever grace a football field, Primetime himself, Deion Sanders.
Plenty have already taken notice of the talent coming out of the FSU secondary. If the ‘Noles sign Samuel next year, they’ll have firmly planted their spear as DBU.
