Here is a rundown and get-to-know of the offensive signees landed for Florida State in the 2012 class. Our Freshman Fridays series from last off-season will be returning and in those articles, each prospect will be looked at in a more in depth and thorough manner. For now, let's just get introduced. Obviously missing is #1 QB Jameis Winston, who will be signing his LOI in the coming days. Once he has signed, I will do a full story on the Hueytown dual-threat. For those who are wondering, from everything I have been told there is nothing to worry about with Winston.
QB Sean Maguire
6'2” 200
Seton Hall Prep, West Orange, NJ
ESPN-4*
24/7-3*
Maguire is a player who possesses a strong arm with decent mobility as he was the first quarterback to commit to the Seminoles for the 2012 recruiting cycle. Now, it had always been Florida State's plan to sign two quarterbacks in order to generate increased competition along the depth chart, it was just a question as to which quarterback would commit first knowing that Florida State would continue to actively recruit the position.
Maguire completed his senior season passing for just under 1200 yards with 12 touchdowns and six interceptions for the Seton Hall Prep Pirates. Maguire is a player who brings a number of intangibles to the quarterback position. His field awareness, football IQ, and competitive nature only compliment his primary physical talent, which is 'plus' level arm strength. Between Maguire, Jameis Winston, and last year's lone quarterback signee; Jacob Coker, the Seminoles have continued to stock pile prospects with premium arm talent. Highlights
RB Delmarick "Mario" Pender (Early Enrollee)
6'0” 200lbs
Island Coast High School, Cape Coral, FL
ESPN-4*
Rivals-4*
24/7-4*
Pender is an early enrollee who might already be the most physically talented running back on the Seminoles roster. Pender is a back who possesses big play ability but carries the frame necessary to be a feature back or the front man in a running back rotation as he boast one of the best size speed combinations in the country at the running back position.
After sitting out his sophomore season, Pender exploded unto the national scene with a tremendous junior campaign and subsequent commitment to Florida State. Pender also was a high school track rival of Clemson's star freshman receiver Sammy Watkins, having clocked as low as a 10.62 time in the 100 meter dash. Pender compares favorably to former Miami Hurricanes and Killian High School standout Lamar Miller. With his early arrival, Pender is presented with a great opportunity to earn a supporting role in the running back rotation at Florida State as he gives the Noles a true game breaker at the position. Highlights.
WR Marvin Bracy
5'9” 175lbs
Boone High School, Orlando, FL
ESPN- 4*
Rivals- 4*
24/7-4*
Bracy is known primarily as the fastest high school track star in America. He rise on the track was a meteoric one, as he didn't begin competing until his sophomore year in high school. He's trained by former Florida State sprinter Ricky Argo who has tutored several sprinters who later became Florida State football players as well. Bracy is well on his way to possibly becoming the fastest high school sprinter ever clocking a wind aided 10.05 100 meter dash last year as a junior.
On the gridiron Bracy has shown tremendous improvement as a wide receiver over the past two seasons, his only two as a varsity player. His immediate impact on the Noles will be first and foremost as a kickoff returner bringing his electric speed to Doak Campbell Stadium. Bracy will probably be brought along gradually as a receiver and by the time he is implemented into the regular rotation figures to be a dangerous element in the Noles passing game and offense as a whole. Highlights.
TE Christo Kourtzidis
6'4” 238lbs
Lutheran High School, Orange, CA
ESPN-3*
Rivals-4*
24/7-4*
Kourtzidis projects as more of a traditional in-line Tight End, much more so than the split out h-back types you presently see. He provides a very solid compliment to last year's Florida State signee and current starting Tight End Nick O'Leary. Kourtzidis is a quality blocker who in high school competed in one the state of California's most competitive sections (Pac-5 region). This past season, Kourtzidis' improved his pass catching ability to add a valued dimension to his overall skillset. At nearly 6-5 and around 240 pounds with room to grow, Kourtzidis cuts an already imposing figure that will only be enhanced once he gets into the Noles strength and conditioning program.
Kourtzidis' inclusion into the class wasn't as widely followed as some other commits. Now that's primarily due to the nature of the tight end position, but he gives Coach Jimbo Fisher additional flexibility as he can be utilized in the much talked about “Jumbo Spread” formation which includes three tight ends on the field at once, all with pass catching ability (Kourtzidis would be lined up at the line of scrimmage with the other two in the slot). With the departure of Senior Tight End Beau Reliford, Koutzidis will be relied upon early to provide a physical extra blocker to the Noles offense. Highlights.
OL Daniel Glauser (Early Enrollee)
6'6” 315lbs
New Mexico Military institute, Roswell New Mexico
Rivals-3*
Glauser is a player who is a native of Switzerland. He's has two years to play two seasons and has shown remarkable improvement from the 09' season to 11'. Glauser is an early enrollee who will benefit from being able to work in the spring with Florida State offensive line coach Rick Trickett in terms utilizing better technique. He projects either as a right tackle or guard at the FBS level as he is powerful drive blocker with a nasty disposition that reveals a genuine passion for the game. Does not possess the footwork to operate at the left tackle spot but is pretty good athlete out in space getting to the second level and initiating contact with linebackers.
Going into the 2012 season it is hopeful that Glauser will be able to at the very least provide quality depth and perhaps compete for a starting position along the offensive line. Even if he doesn't start, he will most assuredly see his share of playing time due to the physical nature of the position and the likelihood of injuries occurring within the starting unit. Glauser will thankfully have a spring and fall camp under his belt before he is asked to contribute. Glauser was also offered by Arkansas and Oklahoma State as well. Highlights.
OL Menelik Watson
6'7”320lbs
Saddleback Community College, Mission Viejo, CA
Rivals-3*
247-4*
Watson is an interesting prospect for a variety of. First, he is a native of England who played basketball for a year for Marist College. He proceeded to transfer to Saddleback community college and participated in his first year of organized football this past season. Watson was a teammate of current Oregon commit; Kyle Long, as they were the bookends along the Griffins offensive line this past season. Watson is obviously lacking in the experience department but physically the raw tools are definitely there. Watson is a player who has the footwork and short area quickness to mirror pass rushers effectively, and a wingspan that will enable him to prevent speed rushers from threatening the edge when used properly.
Despite his relative lack experience Watson could see some playing time next season. While ideally, he could redshirt to gain a better understanding of his craft, from a physical standpoint Watson is probably more ready to play than anyone else Florida State could have brought in at offensive line. He played right tackle primarily at Saddleback but projects to left tackle for the Noles. In my opinion, he will be one of the most physically gifted prospects Florida State offensive line coach Rick Trickett will have the task of developing. Watson was offered by schools such as Auburn, the University of Washington, California, San Diego State, and Rutgers. Highlights.
Punter Cason Beatty (Early Enrollee)
6'3”225lbs
Olympic High School, Charlotte, North Carolina
Beatty is a sizeable punter weighing in at 225 pounds. He'll be taking over for departing All American Seminole punter Shawn Powell. Beatty is a good athlete as well passing for over 800 yards as a quarterback during his junior year in high school. He averaged 43.3 yards per punt and out of 32 attempts, 18 punts resulted in a fair catch. Highlights.
K Roberto Aguayo
6’0” 190lbs
South Lake High School, Groveland FL
Aguayo has received numerous accolades, and awards for his kicking ability. This young man not only has a very strong leg, but he is also extremely accurate from distance. Aguayo is ranked in the top five amongst kickers by many outlets.
This young man committed to the Florida State Seminoles exactly one year, and one day ago after a junior day visit to Tallahassee. He has accepted a greyshirt offer form FSU, and will enroll in January of 2013.
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