2014 Florida State Seminoles Preview

OFFENSE



Jameis Winston

As the 2013 season approached, a quiet confidence among coaches and fans began to emerge regarding redshirt freshman quarterback Jameis Winston, who won the position battle.  In the opener at Pitt, Winston was nothing short of brilliant, opening the eyes of a national television audience.  Winston would continue to dazzle throughout the year as the Seminole offense broke records, helping Winston win Florida State their third Heisman Trophy, and much more importantly, their third National Championship, defeating Auburn in the last BCS Title Game.  Considered a top five NFL pick, Winston has returned to Florida State to help the Seminoles defend the title.  Famous Jameis will once again lead a very powerful unit. One of the inside statistics giving insight to the upcoming performance of an offensive unit is the number of returning starts on the offensive line. FSU leads the nation in the number, with four starters returning and a new center with five starts under his belt.  Tackle Cameron Irving is an All America candidate, another who was expected to be drafted high in the first round if he had come out, but he is back to anchor the unit. Bobby Hart, with a boatload of experience, mans the right tackle spot.  Both guards are honors candidates, special players indeed.  Josue Matias and Tre Jackson will help surround Austin Barron at center.  This group is the nations best.  Nick O'Leary, perhaps the first team All America tight end, returns for the Seminoles, backed by talented Kevin Haplea, the Penn State transfer who sat out injured last fall.  While FSU lost some very talented ball carriers, this will be an area of strength once again.  Karlos Williams, a rare combination of speed and power, will be the featured back.  Backing up Williams will be Mario Pender, who coaches have been raving about for years, Ryan Green and freshman phenom Dalvin Cook. Converted linebacker Freddie Stevenson step in at fullback. Rashad Greene, an honors candidate, returns to lead the receiving core and will in all likelihood become the all-time leading receiver.  Beyond Greene, the group, is green.  Kermit Whitfield is back, but he is a specialists thus far rather than an every down player.  Three freshman, all very talented four and five stars, will need to mature quickly.  Travis Rudolph, Ermon Lane and JaVon Harrison will be counted on, along with Scotter Haggins and senior Christian Green.  This unit should be lethal for opposing stop troops' a balanced unit capable of throwing up 45+ PPG.

DEFENSE



Jalen Ramsey

Jeremy Pruitt did an outstanding job with the Seminoles defensive unit in 2013, coming in replacing Mark Stoops who became HC at Kentucky.  FSU excelled in creating turnovers, and the unit was very good overall. Pruitt has moved on to Georgia, replaced in staff by Charles Kelly.  There are some big losses to deal with beginning up front with Timmy Jernigan moving on to the NFL.  Eddie Goldman is expected to join Nile Lawrence-Stample to anchor the interior, with Giorgio Newberry and Derrick Mitchell among those fighting for time. Frosh Derrick Nnadi is turning heads at fall camp. Freak show Mario Edwards, Jr, who is poised for an outstanding season, and Chris Casher are stellar at end, with Demarcus Walker and Desmond Hollin backing up. Terrance Smith, an outstanding player, will lead the linebacking core from his weakside spot. EJ Levenberry and Reggie Northrup are in a battle in the middle. Ukeme Eligwe mans the strong side. Matthew Thomas is the first backup in, followed by RoDerrick Hoskins. The Seminole secondary is the nations best. Sophomore Jalen Ramsey, a free safety, will also become the third linebacker in various defensive sets. When that is the case, Nate Andrews will jump in for Ramsey, and coaches want both these playmakers on the field. Tyler Hunter returns from injury to take over for Lamarcus Joyner at strong safety. Corner is stacked with talent. Ronald Darby, backed by Nick Waisome. All America candidate PJ Williams is the other corner. There are several young players who have the eye of the coaches, and could find their way onto the field for this talented and salty group.

SPECIAL TEAMS

On top of the all the talent on the offensive and defensive side of the ball the Seminoles are blessed with, FSU returns Lou Groza Award winning kicker Roberto Aguayo.  The punting game was below standards last fall, and emphaisis on improvement has been embarked upon by the staff.  Cason Beatty will have to earn keeping his position.  Kermit Whitfield is among the nations best kickoff returners, taking one back versus Auburn in the BCS Title Game. Rashad Greene will help out on punt returns, and Karlos Williams will help on kickoff returns.

INTANGIBLES

Seminoles

The schedule is more challenging than it was a year ago.  The Seminoles open in Dallas against Oklahoma State.  Clemson, Notre Dame and Florida come to Tallahassee.  FSU does face rival Miami in South Florida, but in recent years, the 'Noles have rolled down there.  FSU does have a Thursday night tilt at Louisville, who although they lost a lot, seems to pose a significant challenge. Complacency is the biggest opponent, as FSU figures to be over a touchdown favorite in each game. The fans base is riled up, with the FSU brass changing the beloved Seminole Head logo, along with the helmets and uniforms, angering a significant portion of the fan base.  The turmoil surrounding this knuckle brain move is still simmering, if not boiling, among many.

HONORS CANDIDATES

There are several.  Jameis Winston will be in the mix the win back to back Heisman Trophies.  Rashad Greene, Cameron Irving, Josue Matias, Tre Jackson and Nick O'Leary are all potential All America candidates on offense.  Karlos Williams could be All ACC.  Terrance Smith and Nate Andrews will challenge for All ACC, while Mario Edwards, Jr., Ronald Darby, Jalen Ramsey and PJ Williams could receive All America honors.  Roberto Aguayo could win serious hardware as well. This could be among the highest decorated Seminole teams of all time. 

NEW ARRIVALS

Dalvin Cook is loved by the coaches, and he will get carries in the backfield.  Ermon Lane and JaVon Harrison will get time at wideout, but it looks live Travis Rudolph is the ealry favorite of these young receivers due to playbook maturity. Derrick Nnadi and Kareem Are are lineman vying for playing time.  Former quarterback John Franklin, a speedy and gifted athlete, is getting a look at wideout.

FINAL ANALYSIS

Look out.  The 2014 Seminoles are loaded on both sides of scrimmage, and have the top placekicker in the country.  Talent abounds, and it starts, not with Heisman Trophy winning signal caller Jamies Winston, but with a veteran offensive line allowing to the Seminoles to run the football whenever they want to against anybody.  This opens up the offense, which will be as potent as there is in the nation, poised to average 45+PPG.  The defense has some holes, but at each level finds an honors candidate player, enhanced by five star youngsters.  The secondary is special, and the nations best. While formidable, the schedule is manageable.  The Seminoles could be favored by a minimum of ten points in every game they play.  FSU is as close to a lock as you could find to be in the final four, and has the talent and experience to win the first College Football Playoff.  How hungry are they? It is a process for them, and there is plenty of position competition out there for those who may entertain taking plays off. Complacency is an opponent, but like the rest of them on the Seminoles schedule, it will be defeated as the 'Noles run the table. 15-0; National Champions.  The Noles will slip, just a bit, in 2015. 

GAMEDAY GALLERY