Recruiting is about momentum. It’s been that way since before the days of the internet. The players have to vibe with each other and feel they are coming to be part of a class that plans on doing big things at their respective universities. Everyone has to be bought into the process.
These are the guys you are going to spend the next three to five years with.
It’s no different than how adults or other students look at everything in life, “will this decision help me accomplish the goals that I want to achieve in my life?”
The goal of any effective staff should be leaving an impression that will make these young men buy what they are selling. What they’re selling is a message of “come follow me as we chase greatness.”
I think back on the Bobby Bowden football camp 2001, session two. That’s where I remember seeing many of my future teammates. We exchanged numbers and essentially recruited each other more than the coaches. That’s back when it cost money to call long distance.
It’s easier now, but even so, I see the 16 current FSU commits really building relationships with each other. It’s contagious and you can see that rubbing off in public forums like Twitter.
If you’re an FSU fan you should love it.
You saw three commitments come coming out of “Saturday Night Live” in Brendon Gant, Charles Cross and Kalen Deloach. Big impressions were also left on many top recruits who are now tasked with as much responsibility for bringing in a top class as Willie Taggart.
The key to FSU finishing strong and securing a great class is in getting guys who want others to come in as well as making current commits them feel at home.
Much has been made about comments that current UGA commit Tresman Marshall made about how FSU isn’t focused on winning championships, a quote he quickly refuted on Twitter the same day. Either way, the comments don’t match up to what many other top recruits are saying. You don’t get War Daddies and Bad Asses to come to your program by just being happy to play ball.
The culture is changing from what was here the last few seasons. Kardell Thomas, an LSU commit who has moved FSU into a legitimate chance to flip his pledge, just talked about how it’s not boring like the last visit. Nakobe Dean has built a bond with current players and is being encouraged to join as well as Derrick Hall.
@KobeDean2 hit me up real quick bro bro 👀
— O C H O 🦍² (@curt_8_) July 30, 2018
You could see a class with Kayvon Thibodeaux (No. 1 ranked player in 2019 class), Nick Cross and Tyler Davis, all of whom are all still very much in play for FSU. This has the making of an epic defensive class.
FSU’s offense still has a lot of young players with talent at the skill positions so I can see them going full-court press on high quality recruits like Auburn commit George Pickens, who has a great relationship with current commit Sam Howell. The major need is offensive line, but that side could be wrapped up early during the season depending on FSU’s on-filed success.
RELATED: FSU’s offensive line not as bad as fans think.
FSU’s tradition was built on winning championships and creating a competition with young men bought into a goal of bringing out the best in each other. Willie Taggart must find those young men who can handle the spotlight and be team-oriented while accomplishing their own individual goals. You come to FSU to be one of the best to wear your number or play your position while trying to get like-minded individuals to do the same. If nothing else, this summer has proven that, on the recruiting side, Taggart has accomplished this.
Create a winner and you’ll maybe see FSU have a dark horse chance to bring in one of the best classes it’s had in years.
Article Originally Appeared on Gridiron Now: http://gridironnow.com/willie-taggart-building-momentum-for-seminoles-on-recruiting-trail/
