Last years highly anticipated season kickoff matchup between Florida State and Alabama ended badly for the Seminoles. Not only did Alabama pull away in the second half to win 24-7, Florida State quarterback Deondre Francois was injured and lost for the season. With Francois out, and without a properly developed back up, the Seminoles were forced to play freshman 3* quarterback James Blackman, who was not ready for primetime. While Blackmann performed admirably, showing much progress throughout the season, the loss of Francois really hurt. The Seminoles struggled to move the ball, and when couple with some inexplicable defensive breakdowns, Florida State found themselves 2-4 before hitting rock bottom in a blowout beat down by Boston College. From Orange Bowl champs to Chestnut Hill chumps. As bad it that was, Jimbo Fisher was plotting his departure from the Seminoles. The situation was toxic, and it showed on the field. Fisher is now at Texas A&M, and Willie Taggart was hired as Seminoles head coach. Taggart came to FSU after only one season at Oregon, but Taggart, who previously was head coach at South Florida, is a Floridian, and fits in perfectly for the Seminoles. Taggart has not missed a beat since his hiring, embracing the traditions of Florida State and rebuilding the relationships with those who helped build the foundation Florida State sits on. Most notably, this includes former Florida State coach Bobby Bowden, and Seminole Nation is very appreciative of that.
OFFENSE
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Deondre Francois
QB/Florida State |
While there is plenty of talent on hand, Taggart does have some work to do to get the Seminoles back in the College Football Playoff debate. First, Taggart much identify his starting quarterback. Blackman would seem to better fit the new offensive scheme Taggart is set to employ, but he is still a work in progress. Francois appears to be healthy, and seems to have a superior skill set. However, Francois has had some off the field issues, and we are not sure if Taggart completely trusts him. Bailey Hockman has some skills, and looked good in spring, and may have an outside shot given the new system. But odds favor, that if healthy and with the proper attitude, it will be Francois, who has proven he can get the job done. and at last, the Seminoles have depth at this key position, which without it last season cost FSU dearly. At running back, the Seminoles are loaded. Cam Akers should explode in the new system, having a season to contend for national honors. Backing Akers is Jacques Patrick, a powerful back who may have a big NFL future. Amir Rasul and Khalan Laborn are both very talented, and will find ways to contribute, as might Zaquandre White. Jonathan Vickers is skilled as a utility back/tight end player who may play big when getting touches. The receiving core has a mix of experience and youth, but is poised to be among the top units in the south. Nyquan Murray did not have the season he expected in '17, but is very talented and should enjoy a strong senior campaign. Keith Gavin (27c) is also experienced. However, there are some relatively inexperienced players that have the coaches very excited. DJ Matthews only had six catches in '17, but he speedster looks poised to challenge for conference honors. Another player creating a lot of buzz is Tamorrion Terry, who at 6'4", may be the go to guy. Former 5* George Campbell is hoping to put the injury bug behind him, and along with freshman Warren Thompson and Tre'Shaun Harrison, the Seminoles have a group that will be a team strength. Youngsters Deonte Sheffield and Keyshawn Helton figure in as well. Tre McKity will jump in at tight end and is expected to be a difference maker. Up front, the Seminoles have been mediocre for some time. Landon Dickerson, considered the Seminoles top lineman, will move from guard to tackle. Sophomore Jauan Williams will take the other tackle spot. Alec Eberle is sound at center. Derrick Kelly could be All ACC and Cole Minshew are the guards. Depth is a concern, but players like Arthur Williams can help stabilize the unit. In terms of points per game, Florida State slipped under 30ppg for the first time since the AMC Matador was popular. We expect the offense to be lit under Taggart, and 38-40ppg seems entirely possible.
DEFENSE
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DE Brian Burns
Photo/24/7 Sports |
Defensively, it is a mixed bag. The secondary did not perform well last season, but there is new life. Levonta Taylor will man the field corner spot, expected to challenge for national honors. Kyle Meyers plays opposite Taylor, with true freshman A. J. Lytton and Asante Samuel turning heads and expected to play. Isaiah Bolden and Carlos Becker back up. Legacy Stanford Samuels looks real promising after a move to safety, with Hamsah Nasirildeen strong at field safety. AJ Westbrook, Cyrus Fagan amd Calvin Brewton back up. The linebacker spot are of some question. Dontavious Jackson seems set in the middle. Adonis Thomas will be on the weak side. Emmett Rice and Josh Brown back up. There are high hopes for true frosh Amari Gainer, but he turned an ankle in fall camp delaying his chance to contribute. Florida State's STAR position is well stocked, as it appears legacy DeCalon Brooks and true freshman Jaiden Woodbey, a big time talent, will split time. Up front, DE Brian Burns (9TFL), the teams top returning tackler, is a potential All America player. Janarius Robinson will start opposite Burns. SO Joshua Kaindoh, who missed the spring, is an emerging star who will be interchangeable with the starters, and Wally Aime has made plays when given reps. Freshman Xavier Peters may emerge a a decent backup in 2018. Demarcus Christmas is an anchor inside, an honors candidate to be sure. Heralded SO Marvin Wilson is set to take a tackle spot. Frederick Jones is quite capable at the position as well, with true freshman Robert Cooper turning heads in fall camp and Malcolm Lamar ready to make a move. It certainly seemed as though the Seminoles defense had no bite in 2017, but FSU only allowed 22 points per game. That is not all that bad, but the defense was often methodical lacking the spirit an FSU defense is accustomed to. We think FSU can dip below 20ppg this fall. There is a ton of talent on this side of the ball for the Seminoles, but much is inexperienced and the unit lacks depth. Even so, speed is supreme and deficiencies are able to be hidden. We think the Seminoles defensive unit for 2018 is salty, and expect the spirit to return!
SPECIAL TEAMS
Both specialists return in P Logan Tyler and K Ricky Aguayo, both of whom are quite good. Aguayo was 18-21 in FG attempts, while Tyler averaged 43.2 yards per punt. Amir Rasul and Keith Gavin are back to return kicks, and DJ Matthews will field punts. Keyshawn Helton, and a couple of other young speedsters may help.
INTANGIBLES
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| Seminoles |
The painful swoon experienced by the Seminoles last season has been swept away by the hiring of Willie Taggart and the optimism he exudes. Change is often difficult, but looking back on the disaster of 2017 it would appear to most that moving forward, Florida State is on a much more prosperous path with Willie Taggart leading the program.There is work to do, but the team seems to have a nice blend of experience with new emerging talent. Although a starter at quarterback needs to be identified, for the first time in many a moon the position is one of strength. Taggart's "Lethal Simplicity" offense will assist the inexperienced players in becoming more acclimated to the system. On defense, Harlon Burnett had a great reputation at Michigan State, and at Florida State, he has far superior talent to work with. While Florida State will likely sit the playoff out in 2018, there is a strong feeling that the Seminoles will bounce back from the awful 2017 to be a rising team getting back into playoff contention in short order.
HONORS CANDIDATES
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RB Cam Akers
Photo/FanSided |
With his exceptional skill set, we expect Cam Akers to explode on the national scene in Taggart offense, potentially earning All America honors. Landon Dickerson is FSU's best lineman, but his move to tackle may hinder him in terms of national recognition, but he is worthy. Nyquan Murray is expected to be a go to guy, but the talent around him may steal catches, limiting his recognition. DE Brian Burns has the potential to be a national honors candidate, but he will get the best hat from opposing offenses. Levonta Taylor is primed to be a shutdown corner, which would have in the running for All America honors. K Ricky Aguayo may challenge for honors aw well.
NEW ARRIVALS
After fall camp, a couple of players have emerged that will play vital roles for the Seminoles in 2018. First on the list is S Jaiden Woodbey, who will play a diverse and vital role in the back middle of the field. Sticking with the defense, CB's Asante Samuel and Isaiah Bolden figure in the two deep. AJ Lytton is also in the mix. DE Xavier Peters may get snaps, as might DT Robert Cooper. Offensively, wide receivers Warren Thompson, Keyshawn Helton and Tre'Shaun Harrison have shined in camp, important because establishing quality depth at receiver is crucial to Taggart's Gulf Coast Offense. Legacy LB Amari Gainer figured to get snaps, but while pushing for significant playing time, he was injured in camp. Gainer is expected back mid season, so we will see how the recovery goes.
FINAL ANALYSIS
Florida State has a difficult slate. Virginia Tech comes to Tallahassee to kickoff the season in what is really a pivotal game. FSU will win it a DOAK. A trip to Syracuse, where it is always interesting in the dome, could be trouble is FSU is out sync, but we think they escape and defeat a decent Northern Illinois team at home. Louisville no longer has Lamar Jackson, so FSU should win up there and be 5-0 traveling to Miami. On the road, this look tough. Wake Forest is sound, but with the game in Tallahassee, we got FSU 6-1 before hosting Clemson. FSU could win this one, but Clemson is a national title contender. Back to back roadies at NC State, where FSU does not play well, and Notre Dame may find a loss. Boston College visits in a revenge game and the Seminoles close out with Florida at home. FSU could go 11-1 if everything clicks, but 9-3 seems about right. It will be really interesting to see Taggart's "Lethal Simplicity" for the Garnet & Gold.
GAMEDAY GALLERY
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