It’s not technically the halfway mark for the Florida State Seminoles, but with a bye week and the massive showdown with Clemson looming, I figured now would be a good time to revisit a post from the pre-season.  A few weeks before the season kicked off in Pittsburgh, I highlighted 10 freshman that would be making their first impact and ranked them.  Let’s take a look at how they’ve fared thus far and then rerank them.

10.  Matthew Thomas, LB

What I said then:

Florida State boasts a pair of outstanding experienced linebackers in Christian Jones and Telvin Smith.  After that pair though, while the talent is there, the experience and proof on the game field is not.  Matthew Thomas is the most heralded recruit of the last two linebacker classes. With only 4 linebackers with any significant contributions on the roster, somebody from the young ranks will need to step in to provide quality depth behind the starters.  A big, fast, strong, athletic linebacker at 6’3″ 210 lbs, Thomas should have little trouble adjusting physically to the college game.  He will have to prove that he has what it takes to grasp the mental aspect of Jeremy Pruitt’s new system to contribute and give the Noles a viable option backing up at linebacker.

Through 5 Games:

Matthew Thomas saw action in the first 4 games of the season before missing the Maryland game reportedly due to sickness.  Though he only has 4 tackles on the season, he has shown why he was such a highly sought after prospect.  He certainly is physically ready to contribute and has been a nice backup to Christian Jones in the OLB pass rushing duties.  Of his four tackles, all were solo and two came in the backfield with one of them being a sack.  

9.  Jalen Ramsey, CB

What I said then:

The defensive backfield for Florida State seems fairly loaded, so why include a true freshman cornerback here?  When a player has the ability that Jalen Ramsey does, he demands that impact.  Practice reports already show that Ramsey is rotating in with the first team in nickel situations.  A cornerback that stands 6’1″ 195 lbs with his speed and agility can help your defense immediately.  If reports are accurate and Florida State runs more 5 and 6 defensive back sets this year, Ramsey should easily replicate and potentially surpass the play of freshman cornerbacks Greg Reid in 2009 or Ronald Darby in 2012.

Through 5 Games:

What a start for Jalen Ramsey!  He became the first player since Deion Sanders to earn a start at cornerback as a freshman.   He made an instant impact picking up a interception in the season opener.  Ramsey has also shown his versatility as he’s already started his 5 games at 2 different positions.  With Tyler Hunter going down with a neck injury, Ramsey slid back from the corner spot to take over safety duties along side Terrance Brooks.  Currently, Ramsey sits at 4th on the team with 22 tackles and has the aforementioned interception along with a pass breakup, a forced fumble, a sack, and two passes defended.  Extremely impressive from the young defensive back.

8.  Jesus “Bobo” Wilson, WR

What I said then:

Three weeks ago most Seminole fans would have bet that freshman wide receivers would have been redshirted.  With the apparent dismissal of Greg Dent (he was removed from the official roster last week), Willie Haulstead declared ineligbile, and Jared Haggins potentially out for the entire season, the Seminoles are left with only four wide receivers that caught a pass last year.  One of those four, Christian Green, only caught 3 passes on the season for 33 yards.  The freshman wide receivers are going to be thrust into the fire a little quicker then was initially planned.  Jesus Wilson is one of those freshman wide receivers and has drawn positive reviews from Coach Jimbo Fisher this fall.  Wilson is gifted with excellent quickness and toughness and seems to be a perfect fit for the slot receiver.

Through 5 Games:

The Florida State offense had reduced the amount of substitution between the wide receivers this year, leaning more heavily on the starters.  So, we haven’t really seen much of the young receivers, including Bobo Wilson.  He doesn’t have a catch on the season, but has shown some impressive flashes on special teams.  He seems to have solidified the backup punt returner position and has been impressive on his few opportunities.  For the year, he has 4 returns for 65 yards including a nice 28 yard return last week against Maryland.  

7.  Isaiah Jones, WR

What I said then:

Next up in the trio of wide receivers is the big man of the group.  At 6’4″ 200 lbs, Isaiah Jones has the prototypical size of an NFL wide receiver and was the highest rated of the incoming freshman wide receivers.  Like Wilson, Jones has drawn positive reviews this fall from coaches and players alike.  With his size alone, Jones can be a mismatch for smaller corners and his strength and ability to go across the middle can make him a valuable addition to the Seminole passing attack.  Jones and Wilson rankings on this list could easily be flipped.

Through 5 Games:

Similar to Wilson, the Seminoles have elected to keep the wide receiver rotation at a minimum, so Isaiah Jones has seen very little meaningful action so far in 2013.  Unlike Wilson and Kermit Whitfield (who we’ll look at next), though, Jones is strictly a wide receiver who doesn’t make an impact on special teams.  He has two catches on the season for 31 yards.  Jones certainly looks the part, with good size and fluidity, but it’s hard to really know what we have in Jones at the moment.

6. Levonte “Kermit” Whitfield, WR/KR

What I said then:

Last of the wide receivers is Levonte Whitfield.  While he is the smallest in stature at 5’7″ 178 lbs, he is the fastest of the group and is probably the fastest on the team.   In fact, Wilson may be one of the faster players in the country as he turned in a 4.37 40 yard dash and is a 10.21 100 meter sprinter.  His possible impact on special teams bumps him above the other two freshman wide receivers in this list.  Whitfield has already begun getting first team reps at kickoff return alongside Karlos Williams.   With big play potential on special teams and at wide receiver, Whitfield could have an impact on 2 of the 3 phases of the game for the Noles.

Through 5 Games:

One more time on the broken record – with the Noles relying on the starters, Kermit Whitfield hasn’t seen the field as a wide receiver on many occassions.  For the year, Whitfield has just two catches.  He did show his speed and big play potential with a 42 yard grab during mop up time against Bethune-Cookman.  Also in that game, Whitfield showcased his impressive speed with a 41 yard kickoff return.  Whitfield is 2nd on the team with 4 kick returns for 95 yards and has the best average with 23.8 yards per return.  He could continue to make an impact has he earned a starting spot on the kick return team.

5.  Mario Pender, RB

What I said then:

Heading into the 2013 season Devonta Freeman and James Wilder Jr. are, without question, 1a and 1b at running back for the Noles.  However, Mario Pender brings something to the table that they really don’t – breakaway potential that can take it to the house on any play.  Freeman and Wilder are certainly not slow and they are completely capable running backs, but the Noles seemed to lose something last year when Chris Thompson went down.  Hopefully, Pender can be that missing spark from the Noles backfield this season.  He is an explosive ball carrier with great top end speed and should give the Noles an ability to shift gears to the outside runs.  Pender should provide big play potential on stretch plays like Thompson was able to do.

Through 5 Games:

Unfortunately, Mario Pender’s season was derailed just a week later as he was ruled ineligible for the season due to academics.  Reports are that he is doing well and on track to rejoin the team this spring, but there has to be doubt in the minds of FSU fans if we’ll ever get to see the talented running back suit up in the Garnet and Gold.

4.  DeMarcus Walker – DE

What I said then:

At 6’3″ 274 lbs, DeMarcus Walker does not look like your typical incoming freshman defensive end.  Seminole fans should hope he doesn’t play like your typical incoming freshman, either.  With the loss of three defenisve ends to the NFL, Brandon Jenkins, Tank Carradine, and Bjoern Werner, the Seminoles are forced to have some young players step in and play well immediately.  While Walker doesn’t have to immediately start for the Noles defense, he must provide quality depth at the defensive end position.  Currently, he is slated to back up Dan Hicks and with the amount of rotation that typically goes on along the defensive line, he’s on tap for quite a few snaps as a true freshman.  His ability to grow into the role quickly will go a long way in determining how good the Seminole defense will be in 2013, particularly in the latter part of the year when fatigue can become an issue.  Walker was one of the top rated defensive end recruits out of high school and as an early enrollee in 2013 was able to spend the spring with the football team.  Unfortunately, due to an NCAA Clearinghouse issue, he wasn’t permitted to participate physically. However, Walker was at all of the practices this spring soaking up the mental aspect of the game which according to coaches has been beneficial.

Through 5 Games:

DeMarcus Walker was a bit of a surprise starter in the season opener against Pittsburgh.  He has 3 starts among his 5 appearances thus far with mixed results.  Physically, he has been very impressive handling blocks and sealing the edge.  However, he has been guilty on a couple of occasions of getting out of assignment football while trying to make a play.  This is correctable stuff that should be expected from a true freshman yearning to make an impact on the field, though.  Walker has 6 tackles on the season and 2 quarterback hurries.  

3.  Chris Casher, DE

What I said then:

On the other side of the line, Chris Casher must provide quality depth for the Seminoles behind Mario Edwards, Jr. Rated just behind Edwards out of high school, Casher missed last season after injuring his knee. He has spent the last year both rehabbing and getting himself physically ready to play.  At 6’4″ 260 lbs, he has added nearly 20 pounds to his frame since high school and certainly looks the part.  Edwards has slimmed down this year and that should improve his durability and stamina.  For the Seminole defense to remain strong, Casher needs to provide good snaps in relief of Edwards and keep the level of play high at defensive end while giving Edwards rest.

Through 5 Games:

I’ll be completely forthright here, I’ve been surprised at the lack of playing time Casher has received.  He’s played in all five games, but it seems like there are long stretches in the game where he doesn’t see any snaps.  Casher has been productive when he’s gotten an opportunity and looks like one of the most impressive defensive ends in getting after the quarterback.  He’s second among defensive lineman on the team in tackles with 16 and second on the team with 3.5 tackles for loss.  Casher also has a sack and 2 quarterback hurries.  Personally, I’d like to see more of Chris Casher on the field going forward in 2013.

2. Roberto Aguayo, K

What I said then:

Roberto Aguayo is in the unenviable position of filling the gold shoes of the Seminoles and NCAA FBS All-Time leading scorer, Dustin Hopkins.  There is no doubt that Aguayo is going to make an impact one way or another.  As the only scholarship kicker, much is riding on his right foot.  The Seminoles have had the advantage of relying on a dependable and strong legged kicker to get points out of situations that many teams would normally be forced to make other decisions.  There have also been very few times the last several years when the Noles came away empty when they should have put points on the board.  That is a luxury that Aguayo hopes to continue to give the Seminoles this season.  All early indications are good as Aguayo booted field goals of 51 and 58 yards in the Garnet and Gold game this spring.  Doing it in a friendly, non-pressure situation like a scrimmage and doing it on the road with the game on the line are two completely different things, though.  Only time will tell if Aguayo has the ability.  In addition to field goals, Hopkins was a weapon on kickoffs, too.  He gave the Seminoles the option of blasting into the endzone for a touchback to prevent a return or kicking it high and deep to allow the coverage team to pin the opposition inside the 20 yard line.  Again, Aguayo has shown a strong leg, but he can make a big impact this year if he is able to continue to afford the Seminoles the ability to pin the opponent deep.

Through 5 Games:

Nothing but good things from Roberto Aguayo so far.  On PATs he’s 35-35, he’s 7-7 on field goals including a 45 yarder.  His kicks haven’t wavered either, splitting the uprights on each opportunity.  He’s been equally impressive on kickoffs.  Aguayo has booted the ball deep in the endzone and shown the accuracy to try and pin the returner deep like Florida State likes to do on occasion.  He also had a couple of good looking pooch kicks against Maryland that were high and placed perfectly and nearly lead to recovery by the Florida State kick team.  He hasn’t had to make a kick under pressure yet, so he still has that to prove.  Other than that, can he punt?

1.  Jameis Winston

What I said then:

I’m going out on a limb here saying that Jameis Winston wins the quarterback battle this fall and enters the season as the signal caller come Labor Day night.  Winston is quite possibly the most hyped player to come through Florida State in history, but certainly the most hyped in the past 15 years.  He seems to have everything you could look for in a quarterback – size, arm strength, speed, good leadership qualities, an infectious personality, competitive spirit.  None of that transitions automatically, though, when the lights are on and the pressure is felt.  Winston will have the greatest impact on the team if those qualities and all of this speculation comes to fruition.  If he lives up to the billing, if he just is within the stratosphere of the hype, then the Seminoles could have a special season.  If Winston goes through the growing pains that should be expected for a player taking the college field for the first time then the Noles may have to take some lumps along the way.  Thankfully, the running game should be good enough that Winston shouldn’t have to shoulder the burden.  There will come a time, however, when the quarterback will have to make plays and will have to win the game; Winston’s ability can either make or break it for the Seminoles this season.

Through 5 Games:

Amazing.  Remarkable.  Stupendous.  Ridiculous.  Mesmerizing.  What else can be said?  Winston has exceeded even the highest expectations for him and lived up to the preseason hype.  He’s 90-123 for 1,441 yards and has 17 touchdowns to just 2 interceptions.  He has a 73.2 completion percentage and a passer rating on 213.9.  Outside of just the stats, he’s made play after play that leave you with your mouth agape.  He’s been a regular on SportsCenter’s Top 10 with Houdini escapes and touchdowns.  In addition, he has shown poise and leadership on the field, done a masterful job in leading the offense and getting Florida State into the right plays.  

Reranking the Impact Freshman

10. – Ryan Green
9. – Nate Andrews
8. – Kermit Whitfield
7. – Matthew Thomas
6. – Ukeme Eligwe
5. – DeMarcus Walker
4. – Chris Casher
3. – Jalen Ramsey
2. – Roberto Aguayo
1. – Jameis Winston