ACC Football: Clemson and FSU potentially landing top 2 QB prospects in the country
The state of ACC football is as high as it’s ever been. This past season the conference took home both the National Championship and the Heisman Trophy, not to mention a BCS bowl victory over Jim Harbaugh’s Michigan Wolverines. With the way that Clemson and Florida State are recruiting, the ACC has no plans of slowing down.
More from RTR: Tracking the fastest players in college football
During the 2017 recruiting cycle, Clemson and Florida State hauled in the 16th and 7th ranked recruiting classes in the country respectively, according to the 247sports team rankings. Both the Tigers and Seminoles each signed at least two five-star recruits during the 2017 cycle.
2018 is going as good, if not better, for Clemson and Florida State. At the moment, the Tigers hold a pledge from Trevor Lawrence, the No. 1 pro-style quarterback and overall prospect in the country. Lawrence is widely considered the best high school quarterback prospect in recent memory.
See also: Trevor Lawrence a better high school prospect than Deshaun Watson?
Jimbo Fisher, thanks to the misfortune of James Franklin and the Nittany Lions, may be getting his quarterback of the future in Justin Fields. A native of Kennesaw, Georgia, Fields is currently listed as the No. 1 dual-threat quarterback and No. 3 overall prospect in the nation.
The Seminoles have received seven crystal ball predictions for Fields, since he de-committed from Penn State earlier this month. Fields also told Rivals.com analyst, Mike Farrell that Penn State and Florida State were the best fits for him from a depth chart and scheme standpoint.
5 star QB Justin Fields tells me the best fits for him depth chart and offensively are #FSU and #PSU -- interesting
— Mike Farrell (@mfarrellsports) June 9, 2017
This is the biggest reason why I believe Fields will end up with Florida State. The Seminoles have a proven starter in Deondre Francois, however, it’s highly unlikely that he stays for the entirety of his eligibility. Fields can come in and learn behind Francois for a year or two and then take over as the starter. There is no questioning Jimbo Fisher’s ability to develop quarterback’s, just ask Jameis Winston, E.J. Manuel or Christian Ponder.
SBNation’s recruiting analyst, Bud Elliott compared Fields to Seattle Seahawks quarterback, Russell Wilson at a camp this spring. That is a favorable comparison as Fields has a similar smooth stroke and great control of the football when throwing down the field.
One thing’s for sure, should Clemson and Florida State sign Lawrence and Fields, their rivalry may decide the National Champion for the next three to four years.
Next: Clemson 2018 Recruiting Class - Top 10 Big Board