The best season Florida State has produced in a decade led to the best signing class in that span.

Further gathering steam towards a likely rise back into national elite, the Seminoles celebrated an incoming class of players rated as the nation's best by ESPN and a couple other recruiting analysts, and a consensus top five class by all accounts.

"Every position was filled," head coach Jimbo Fisher said. "Every position brings in some guys I think can have an immediate impact. ... We've got great depth and some great guys. And more importantly, I think we got great character. Talent gets our attention. Character keeps us there.

"I'm very excited about these guys, not only as players but as people."

The Seminoles will start spring practice on March 21 with a completely different profile than existed in recent years. This team will now be expected to win the ACC title and get into a BCS Bowl game. The positive vibes existing around this program compare favorably to the team's dynasty era in the 1990's when it happened every year.

What Fisher and his staff have done is rally a fan base, make the school a hot program again and build a foundation that should keep FSU contending for elite status in future years.

TOP OF THE CLASS

WR Kelvin Benjamin (Belle Glade-Glades Central, Bell Glade, Fla.) -- He's 6-6, 210 with explosive speed. The Seminoles hope he's the game-breaking receiver they have so desperately needed the past few years. Fisher believes Benjamin is further along than any receiver he coached at LSU, which is saying a lot. Rated the No. 8 wide receiver and the No. 60 overall player nationally by Rivals.com and the No. 12 receiver by Scout.com ... Rated the No. 23 wide receiver nationally by ESPN.

DT Tim Jernigan (Lake City Columbia, Lake City, Fla.) -- He announced on national television on signing day, igniting cheers and high-fives in FSU coaches' offense. The Seminoles won a spirited recruiting battle with LSU and Tennessee. Jernigan is rated the nation's No. 2 DT prospect by Rivals.com

TE Nick O'Leary (Palm Beach Dwyer, West Palm Beach, Fla.) -- He is the grandson of golf icon Jack Nicklaus, which certainly opens up some fund-raising avenues for the Seminoles. O'Leary is considered the nation's top tight end prospect. He's big, strong and has great hands. He played in the backfield, receiver and tight end in high school. A player the Seminoles expect to compete right away for a starting job.

RB James Wilder Jr. (Tampa -Plant, Tampa) -- He committed to the Seminoles in August, igniting their recruiting class. The Seminoles won a battle with the Florida Gators for Wilder and when he announced on television, it built momentum for the rest of the Seminoles class. He was selected to U.S. Army All-American team as a senior and participated in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, where he scored the winning touchdown for the East. ... Rushed for 1,597 yards and 22 touchdowns, and had 75 tackles and eight sacks as a senior ... Selected All-USA First Team defense by USA Today.

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