Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Class of 2014 blue-chip defensive back prospect Marlon Humphrey, who also runs track, is in Tallahassee right now (yes, literally this very minute), visiting the Florida State Seminoles. Humphrey, the Birmingham, Ala. native, has long been considered a heavy lean to the Alabama Crimson Tide. Recently, however, the Tide’s “heavy lean” has lightened up a bit.
Alabama is on top of the college football world right now; how in the world would Florida State manage to swipe Humphrey from Alabama’s backyard? Yes, most of Alabama’s top in-state talents stay in state, however, Florida State has built a nice pipeline into the state of Alabama under head coach Jimbo Fisher. The Seminoles have seven scholarship players on it’s roster hailing from Alabama, including standouts Jameis Winston and Chris Casher.
Jeremy Pruitt, former Alabama defensive backs coach, is entering his first season as the defensive coordinator for the Seminoles. While Pruitt has zero experience as a defensive coordinator, he certainly has plenty of experience as a recruiter.
One week into his tenure as FSU’s defensive coordinator, Pruitt was able to flip highly coveted defensive end DeMarcus Walker from the Tide to the Noles, and had him enrolled in classes the next day. Oh, and did I mention that this happened the same night Alabama won the BCS National Championship, their third in the past four seasons? Not to mention, three weeks later on the eve of National Signing Day, Pruitt was able to flip five-star defensive back Jalen Ramsey from the USC Trojans. Pruitt’s recruiting ability is not exaggerated.
One would be foolish to believe that Pruitt and the Noles have no chance to land Humphrey. Alabama is still the favorite for the five-star defensive back’s services, but don’t count Florida State out.
