OFFENSE
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| James Wilder, Jr |
After a lengthy battle in fall camp, The Seminoles will go with phenom Jameis Winston, a former Elite 11 winner and baseball 'Nole, at quarterback. Winston beat out Jacob Coker, who really stepped up his game and is prepared to play. Expectations are in the stratosphere for Winston, but comparisons to Charlie Ward note his maturity and ability to focus and block out external noise. For several seasons, the offensive line had been problematic for the Seminoles, but last season the line performed very well, with four starters returning this fall. This bodes well in breaking in a new signal caller for which reliance on a productive run game is paramount. Carmeron Erving is an honors candidate at left tackle, with Bobby Hart on the right side. Bryan Stork is the center, with Josue Matias and Tre' Jackson the guards. All three are potential honors candidates. The running back position is wealth of treasure for the Seminoles. Devonta Freeman and James Wilder, Jr. are outstanding players, both worthy of honors. In fall camp, Ryan Green and Mario Pender have been making noise. The tight end position is thin, but Nick O'Leary is threat catching the ball while converted DE Georgio Newberry will become the primary blocking option. Rashad Greene is the leader of an elite group of receivers. Kenny Shaw and Christian Green compliment Greene well, while Kelvin Benjamin appears set to realize his enormous potential. Attrition has opened the door for some newcomers to help, and one option may be Levonte Whitfield, a world class sprinter from Orlando Jones. Isiah Jones and Jesus Wilson are others to keep an eye on. With all the talent and experience around him, Winston has time to find himself. This unit has unlimited potential, particularly if Winston is the kind of player we think he is. Averaging 40PPG is a realistic target for this group, if the coaches will allow them to flex muscle rather than protecting leads.
DEFENSE
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| Telvin Smith |
Mark Stoops did a wonderful job restoring the Seminole defense to national leadership, but has departed to take over Kentucky. In comes Jeremy Pruitt, who was an assistant under Nick Saban at Alabama. Pruitt plans to tinker with the unit, fielding a unit that is attacking in their utilization of speed rather than the read and react FSU has employed in recent seasons. This is a welcomed development. Three new assistants are working on the defense under Pruitt, and while this may be cause for concern, coaches Sal Sunseri, former defensive coordinator at Tennessee, and Tim Brewster, former head coach at Minnesota, there is plenty of experience.The Seminoles must replace a bunch of starters, but there is plenty of talent on hand. Up front, Timmy Jerrnigan returns to lead the group, with Jacobbi McDaniel bouncing back from injury to help along with Eddie Goldman. Mario Edwards, Jr. is primed for a breakout season at defensive end. Dan Hicks, a newcomer, is a gifted athlete and may really emerge on the edge at DE or outside linebacker. Christian Jones will man the middle, and he is an honors candidate. There is quality depth, with Demonte McAllister, Chirs Casher and true freshman DeMarcus Walker. Perhaps the players to benefit the most from the scheme alteration will be weakside backer Telvin Smith. Smith makes plays, and we expect him to challenge for national honors this fall. Terrance Smith, and a handful of newcomers, Ukeme Eligwe, Matthew Thomas and EJ Levenberry, will play. The secondary is strong, led by the versatile LaMarcus Joyner, an All America candidate, who moves from safety to corner. PJ Williams, Ronald Darby, Nick Waisome and true frosh Jalen Ramsey give the Seminoles outstanding qaulity depth. Tyler Hunter, Terrance Brooks (better than you think) and Karlos Williams are the safeties, with Williams able to move around rover style. While there is concern with the personnel losses and new coaching staff, but we do not see a drop off for this unit. In fact, after a few games, the unit will probably start becoming fierce. There are a lot of young players who will be competing to get playing time, which is a very good thing.
INTANGIBLES
The schedule is not particularly difficult; however, the toughest two games, Clemson and Florida, are on the road. Both will be difficult matchups, with Clemson, where FSU has not won in over a decade, likely for the divisional championship. Karlos Williams and Rashad Greene, great if he hangs on to the ball, are back for the kicking return game, but true freshman Levonte Whitfield may be quite a weapon with his world class speed. The kicking game will house new players, which is always concerning in the early going, as is breaking in a new quarterback.
HONORS CANDIDATES
There are several. On offense, Winston is capable of league honors, but the conference has some stellar quarterbacks. Devonta Freeman and James Wilder, Jr. are both worthy of honors, but given they will be splitting time, they may not receive the recognition they most certainly will deserve. Rashad Greene is very underrated at receiver and worthy of potential All America consideration. LaMarcus Joyner is an All America player in the secondary. While not getting national publicity, Telvin Smith, who should flourish in the new defensive alignment, will be all over the field making plays. Christian Jones and Timmy Jerrnigan are worthy of honors as well.
NEW ARRIVALS
It all starts with Jameis Winston, the redshirt freshman signal caller. Barring injury, we expect Winston to be the nations top newcomer. Cornerback Jalen Ramsey looks like he will be part of the rotation in the secondary. EJ Levenberry, DeMarcus Walker and Matthew Thomas will get reps at linebacker. Mario Pender and Ryan Green have impressed at the running back position, and Orlando Jones product Levonte Whitfield, a world class sprinter at wideout, should help in the return game if not on offense. Robert Aguayo replaces Dustin Hopkins at kicker, while Cason Beatty is the new punter. Lineman Cameron Irving, Byran Stork and Tre' Jackson each could gain conference honors. Attrition had hurt the receiving core, so perhaps freshman Isaiah Jones and Jesus Wilson, along with Whtifield, may see action in the rotation.
FINAL ANALYSIS
Last season, the schedule set up for Florida State to make a run at the national title. While the Seminoles won the ACC and the Orange Bowl winning 12 games, another mind blowing loss to a grossly inferior team and collapse at home versus Florida tainted a good season. For FSU to take the next step, losses to inferior teams, which has sadly become common, must cease. Fisher is all about the process, but those are mental issues; fundamental, for which the coaching staff is responsible. Injuries took a toll, but great teams get by that. You hate to put the season on a new quarterback, but the 'Noles will need Jameis Winston to have an excellent season to reach their goals. Winning at Clemson will be tough, and a home game against a much better Miami Hurricane team will be no walk in the park. Should the Seminoles win those, then a special season could emerge. Given the soft schedule and the negative perception of the conference, even if undefeated, FSU may need help to play for the title. A squeaker at home over the Gators will not do it, and Clemson games against Georgia and South Carolina may even come into play. But, history suggests FSU will not have to worry about it, as they will likely fail to play to their potential each week. It is time to change history, and Winston may be the guy to implement that change. The coaches need to stand on the gas against inferior opponents, as style points may matter. While Winston is the real deal and the optimism is high with this team and a special season may be on the horizon. However, until FSU puts it together, we have to conclude they will stumble somewhere along the way. If the 'Noles are 9-0 returning from Wake Forest, look out. 13-1 is our prognosis, not sure where the loss comes from and not sure if Clemson can finish.
GAMEDAY GALLERY
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