South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Sunday)
Norvell quickly restocks the cupboard at QB
FSU coach Mike Norvell did something his predecessor, Willie Taggart, never did on the recruiting trail.
Norvell signed a quarterback. Making things better, he signed two in 10 days.
The Seminoles signed fourstar quarterback Chubba Purdy and three-star Tate Rodemaker during the first day of the early signing period Wednesday, highlighting a good recruiting start for Norvell at FSU.
“To be able to get two young men like Tate and Chubba, man, I think we hit an absolute home run,” Norvell said. “… We’re excited to get both of those young men.”
The Seminoles entered Wednesday with the 26th-ranked recruiting class and fifth in the ACC, according to 247Sports.com. After signing 18 players, FSU jumped to 21st overall and fourth in the ACC.
Norvell made use of his short time as the Seminoles’ coach effectively and efficiently. He immediately identified Purdy and Rodemaker as quarterbacks FSU had to sign.
Taggart did not sign any quarterbacks out of high school during his time in Tallahassee. He
landed Alex Hornibrook as a graduate transfer from Wisconsin. Taggart missed out on Sam Howell, who became a Freshman AllAmerican at North Carolina this season.
Norvell moved swiftly in landing Purdy and Rodemaker.
Purdy, who played at Perry High School in Gilbert, Ariz., flipped his commitment from Louisville to FSU on Wednesday. He officially visited FSU during the weekend, and it was enough to sway his decision.
Purdy is ranked as the No. 6 dual-threat quarterback in the country, according to 247Sports’ composite rankings. He accounted for 9,000 yards and 111 touchdowns during his high school career.
Norvell offered Rodemaker while he was at Memphis. Rodemaker played at Valdosta High School in Valdosta, Ga., and is the No. 27-ranked pro-style quarterback in the country, according to 247Sports’ composite rankings.
Rodemaker threw for 6,811 yards and 74 touchdowns in his high school career, including 42 his senior season.
“We wanted to first and foremost be able to address a need at the quarterback position,” Norvell said. “… It is definitely a dynamic group.”
Norvell credits Haggins: It took FSU 35 days to hire Norvell after firing Taggart.
During that stretch, interim coach Odell Haggins took the lead on recruiting. Haggins kept most of the recruiting class intact with the help of wide receivers coach Ron Dugans. FSU only had four players decommit during the 35 days between full-time head coaches.
A lot can be credited to Haggins and the relationships he built with several recruits. It was not lost on Norvell, who praised Haggins and Dugans for helping salvage the recruiting class.
“He did just an incredible job,” Norvell said. “The work that went into it was remarkable. Odell, Ron, they were tremendous ambassadors to our program.”
Norvell open to transfers: While FSU ended the first day of the early signing period on a high note, Norvell already is looking at potential options to fill out the rest of the 2020 recruiting class.
That includes taking a hard look at potential junior-college recruits and transfer options once the college football season ends.
“That’s something we’ll always explore,” Norvell said. “When you look at the needs that are in place, running back is a position we’re going to continue to work hard to identify and fill with the right young men. … Once we get to Friday, [we’ll] evaluate exactly where we are and then be able to have a plan of attack, moving forward.”
Norvell said the plan is to have a full recruiting class, which typically is 25 players. However, he said they will not give away scholarships just to fill out the number. The staff will be looking for players who can fit the needs of the team.
The offensive line is another need Norvell wants to address. The Seminoles signed two on Wednesday in three-star guard Zane Herring and three-star
tackle Thomas Shrader. They added Miami Killian High offensive tackle Lloyd Willis on Thursday.
Building depth at receiver: Norvell was worried entering Wednesday he might have to look at bringing in transfer options at the wide receiver position.
He is not concerned anymore
after the Seminoles signed three wideouts Wednesday, headlined by four-star Bryan Robinson out of Palm Beach Central High School.
FSU struggled with injuries at the position this year. The addition of Robinson, four-star Ja’Khi Douglas and three-star Kentron Poitier adds depth to a position of need.