FSU Watches Second Member of 2016 Recruiting Class Head to JUCO

What was regarded by ESPN as the No. 1 overall recruiting class for 2016 has now had two players not qualify and both on defense.

Last week, it was reported that defensive tackle Shavar Manuel would have to head to Fort Scott Community College in Kansas rather than enroll at Florida State. On Thursday, Josh Newberg of 247Sports reported that he’ll be joined there by another FSU signee, linebacker Keion Joyner.

Joyner was a 4-star recruit out of North Carolina, according to the 247Sports Composite. Joyner was the No. 211 overall player and the 14th-ranked outside linebacker.

What it means: The implications for Florida State on this one are somewhat significant. The linebacker position is FSU’s biggest question mark with a lack of depth and experience. It was possible that Joyner could have seen the field as early as this year. Fortunately for FSU, the Seminoles were able to nab three others linebackers in this class in Josh Brown, Dontavious Jackson and Emmett Rice. Matthew Thomas and Ro’Derrick Hoskins, both redshirt juniors, are expected to start this season, but beyond those two, there is little experience at the position. The losses of Manuel and Joyner does get Florida State to its maximum scholarship limit of 85.