FSU Football: Five Noles Most Likely to Leave Early After 2016

The sky seems to be the limit for Florida State in 2016 and beyond. The Seminoles are returning 17 starters and bringing in a recruiting class which was ranked first nationally by ESPN.

With the aforementioned class and some very talented seniors like DeMarcus Walker and Marquez White, FSU has a nice mix of youth and talent. Following the 2016 season however, the Seminoles probably won’t only be losing seniors, but some very talented juniors as well.

Here’s the five Seminoles most likely to declare early for the 2017 NFL Draft:

1. Dalvin Cook
The odds of running back Dalvin Cook staying past his junior season are slim and none. Cook is the quintessential complete back with incredible burst, the ability to block, catch the ball, outrun defenders and run between the tackles. If Cook can stay healthy in 2016, he’ll like obliterate Warrick Dunn’s school-record for career rushing yards. Cook is also a legitimate contender for the Heisman Trophy. He’ll have little to nothing left to prove at FSU entering 2017.

2. Roderick Johnson
The reigning ACC Jacobs Blocking Trophy winner, Roderick Johnson already has NFL size, NFL strength and NFL athleticism. Johnson, FSU’s left tackle, has been a calm along an FSU offensive line that started nine different players a season ago. At 6-7 and 310 pounds, Johnson is an imposing figure and projects to be a first round pick at this juncture of his career.

3. Travis Rudolph
If Travis Rudolph can up the production from his sophomore year to his junior year the way he did from his freshman year to his sophomore year, Rudolph could think about making the jump. At 6-1 and less than 195 pounds, Rudolph is still a bit on the lean side for an NFL receiver, but has shown quite a bit of toughness. He’s a smooth route-runner and over the final part of 2015, emerged as a big play threat with his ability to run past defenders and ability to run after the catch. Rudolph isn’t likely to be a first round pick in 2017, but if he believes he can go in the first three rounds, he may make the jump.

4. Derrick Nnadi
After spending time on the interior of the defensive line with the likes of Eddie Goldman and Nile Lawrence-Stample, Derrick Nnadi will get his chance to shine in 2016. At 6-1 and 315 pounds, Nnadi is extremely powerful, but not very tall for his position. With a bigger role, Nnadi could show all the skills and intangibles needed to be a defensive tackle at the next level, but getting into the first or second round will be tough.

5. Matthew Thomas
It may seem a bit crazy to suggest that Matthew Thomas is a candidate to leave early given his 30 career tackles, but his lack of production has not been for a lack of talent. Thomas, a 5-star recruit out of high school, has been his own worst enemy since arriving in Tallahassee. The South Florida project has NFL size at 6-3 and nearly 230 pounds, can go sideline to sideline and can rush the passer. If Thomas can finally put it all together in 2016, his next stop could be in the National Football League.