2011 Florida State Seminoles Preview

OFFENSE

Florida State will enter 2011 with a new quarterback, but then again, EJ Manuel is very experienced with significant playing time and having engineered two bowl victories. Manuel is an imposing figure at 6'4", 235, and he is quite dangerous running the football. The outside passing game is strong with Manuel, but he has shown issues in the past working the middle of the field. Manuel is only a redshirt junior, so he has everything still in front of him. A stable of experienced wideouts would help, but the Seminoles receiving core, although talented, is ready for a few players to emerge as game breakers. Bert Reed seems poised, while Willie Haulstead and Rodney Smith have shown flashes of speed and ability, particularly Smith who at 6'6", should be money in the red zone. A committee of running backs keep everyone fresh. Chris Thompson is far more consistent than his challengers and has goodbye speed, but Jermaine Thomas and Ty Jones are very solid. Two freshman, Devonta Freeman and James Wilder, Jr., seem mature and ready to push for playing time. Lonnie Pryor is an outstanding fullback, slotback, running and receiving threat out of the backfield. The offensive line lost some valuable members, but Coach Rick Trickett likes his group. Andrew Datko is very good at tackle and Zebrie Sanders is as well, but both have had injury issues. Trickett cannot stop raving about C Jakob Fahrenkrug, a JC transfer who will start day one and has a brilliant future. David Spurlock is another good player, who also has had injury issues. Jacob Stanley, Byron Stork and Henry Orelus will be counted on to step up, and a few new faces will be counted on to provided depth. This is the Seminoles most vulnerable position.

DEFENSE

Two season ago, this unit was a mess, getting torched repeatedly. Mark Stoops came in last fall and did a phenomenal job, turning the unit not only into a respectable unit, it became a unit ready to aggressively take over a ball game, as South Carolina can attest to. For 2011, the Seminoles will field one of the nations best stop troops, a unit that is young and blessed with quality depth. Defensively, it all starts up front, where FSU welcomes back Brandon Jenkins, among the nations leaders in sacks a year ago. Jenkins is considered by most media outlets an All America player. Sophomore Bjoern Werner has emerged as a quite a player opposite Jenkins, while in the middle, Jacobbi McDaniel, Everette Dawkins and Anthony McCloud form a solid nucleus, fighting off challenges from a host of young teammates, including true freshman Tim Jernigan. ILB Nigel Bradham returns to lead the linebacking core, where an abundance of young talent seems ready to elevate their game. Christian Jones out of Winter Park Lake Howell, Vince Williams from Davenport look to hold off Telvin Smith and Jeff Luc among others for the starting spots. All these guys will play and FSU has total confidence in each of them. The secondary is a real strength on this team. Greg Reid, know for his gifted nose for the ball and return capabilities, has emerged into a total player at field corner, able to lay the wood when needed. Xavier Rhodes has NFL scouts drooling at boundary corner, with Nick Waisome and Mike Harris as alternates. Lamarcus Joyner is in a strong safety and a real battle in fall camp between Nick Moody and Terrance Parks for free safety has everyone buzzing, meaning both are very solid. True freshman Karlos Williams may get in the mix as well, and he has the look of a future superstar.

INTANGIBLES

The schedule is again among the nations toughest. FSU will welcome preseason #1 Oklahoma to Doak Campbell with ESPN's College Football Gameday coming along. While FSU could still accomplish almost all of it's goals, including an ACC title, a state title, a BCS berth and a National Championship (would need help) with a loss to OU, this is a big game to set the tone for the season, carving in stone the return of FSU to the nations elite. Win or lose, a very tough game, which could derail most of FSU's goals, come the following week at Clemson. FSU will need mental toughness, but this is part of the program Jimbo has been installing since he took over. FSU will also have a very good kicking game, which can be a major factor in winning close games. Miami has issues, but while Florida seems down, they have top level talent and could put it all together as the 'Noles come calling., so count on that being a tough game.

HONORS CANDIDATES

EJ Manuel has a chance to be All ACC with Russell Wilson gone from NC State. If he can remain healthy, Andrew Datko would be All ACC as well, and I think Chris Thompson, provided he is on the field enough and Rodney Smith could be all conference as well. Brandon Jenkins is All America and Greg Reid, should he contiue to improve, is as well. Nigel Bradham is minimum All ACC, with Joyner, Rhodes, McDaniel and Werner having a chance. Dustin Hopkins at placekicker could also challenge for national honors.

NEW ARRIVALS

A top notch recruiting class will yield several contributors to this years squad. JC transfer Jacob Fahrenkrug is anchored at center, already demonstrating veteran leadership at a very tough position. Nick Waisome will play at corner, while Karlos Williams seems poised to get on the field at safety, while Devonta Freeman and James Wilder, Jr. may find the field at running back. JC transfer Cornellius Carradine could emerge at backup rush end and Timmy Jernigan is turning heads on the defensive line. Given the squad coming back, it is a testament to the incoming talent for this many players to be challenging for playing time.

FINAL ANALYSIS

Last year we saw FSU winning the Atlantic and playing for the ACC title noting the future is bright. We hit it dead on. This season, the Seminoles will employ stifling defensive unit full of depth, which puts FSU in every game. The offense will gain strength as the season progresses and Manuel becomes seasoned. A win over OU could springboard FSU into the title hunt, and it just might happen. For FSU to reach that high, the offensive line will have to hold up and remain free from major injury, for depth in this area is a major concern. The 'Noles may well be a year away from National Title talk, but maybe not.

GAMEDAY GALLLERY

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