FSU Football: NSD | Nole's Load Up on Preferred Walk Ons
Xavier Perkins highlight's the 2023 Preferred Walk On class. We take a look at all of the newest additions and what they mean for Florida State.
Preffered Walk-Ons
Twitter | @XavierPerkins23
Xavier Perkins | 6’ 4” 220 lbs | EDGE | Top Offers: USF, KSU
Perkins is a physical specimen really in the mold of an Andre Wadsworth except he already has the two inches and three extra pounds. I think under the tuteledge of Jon Papuchis, Josh Storms and the FSU nutrition folks he could certainly win a scharship as early as next year or even during fall camp should unexpected attrition to occur.
To be clear I’m not predicting him to be the third overall pick in the draft BUT Wadsworth did arrive at Florida State as an undersized guy at six foot two inches and two hundred and seventeen pounds as a walkon. I have high hopes for Xavier and will follow his development closely.
Ashton Bracewell | 6’ 4” 220 lbs | OLB / Edge | Flagler Palm Coast High School
Twitter | @BracewellAshton
Most people are listing him as a LB / S prospect but given his build I’m thinking the staff brought him in for his potential on the edge of the defense. Time will tell as there isn’t much out there on this young man. His size can’t be taught and mean’s potential.
Zamari McKinley | 5’ 10” 165 lbs | WR/ATH | Fort Lauderdale, FL
Twitter | @Marigetopen3 | @Lets_Go_Noles
As opposed to the first two Nole’s, size is the biggest obstacle for McKinley who held offers from places like Edward Waters. He apparantly has a strong belief in his abilities and the staff see’s something there; we wish him the best.
Grant Fielder | Edge | Campbell HS | Smyrna, GA
Twitter | @GrantFielder4
By now you should have noticed a theme here amongst the walk ons. The staff has identified defensive end as an area in need of young developmental bodies and I tend to agree. Also, yes it is that Fielder name and you better bet if he makes the scholarship roster we will hear all about it. Keep an eye out as this young man certainly has the lineage factor to succeed!
Micheal Grant | QB | 6’ 3” 190 lbs | Maclay School | 6PointsJax Training
Twitter | @Michael24Grabt
Michael is an interesting grab at quarterback. With the departure of Gino English he has an oppurtunity to slip right into a pretty big walk on role and have an oppurtunity to earn that elusive scholarship before he leaves FSU.
Grant recieve’s training from Denny Thompson of 6PointsJax. If the name sounds familiar it’s because he is partners with Big Game James Coleman on 1010XL and has coached up qb’s Anthony Richardson, Austen Reed, and Luke Kromenhoek just to name a few.
Donny Hiebert | S / LB | 6’ 2” 190 lbs | Gainesville Bucholz High School
Twitter | @donny_hiebert
Hibert has great size for a safety but doesn’t have the matching speed, agility etc. He does have toughness and a williingness to hit someone, he may take a while to get there but be arrive’s violent and is anecdotally known to be tough as nails. Zach Blostein reported that his prep coach said he once played through a broken hand and a torn calf. That’s a guy you want next to you in a foxhole.
I have no idea whether he will ever play a snap in a game for Florida State or earn a scholarhip but from everything I’ve read he is a perfect fit for the locker room.
Ethan Shawn | WR | Saint Thomas Aquinas | 5’ 9” 155lbs
Twitter | @EthanShawn5
Shawn wasn’t super productive his senior year a Saint Thomas Aquinas with only three touchdowns and a bout two hundred yards. That said STA is basically a college program at the highschool level. They are the FHSSA 7A State Champions and always have top tier talent.
Mike Norvell and Ron Dugans see something there and with Coach Mike’s specialty being wide reciever we will give him the benefit of the doubt. He could become a slot possesion guy, a knack for find soft spots in the zone.
Thanks for reading don’t forget to catch the brand new edition of the Renegade Report Rundown from yesterday. I really get going half way through.