By any standard applied, Coach Willie Taggart's first season at Florida State was a disaster. While there are 100 things to point to which were horrendous, from excessive penalties to inept offensive play calling, the main thing that irks Seminole Nation was the failure to keep Florida State's historic bowl streak alive. The Seminole fans like Willie Taggart as an individual, but he is on borrowed time if there is not significant improvement this season. Not next season; but THIS season. Taggart seems to have recognized this, as over the off season he hired former Baylor offensive Kendal Briles to jump start the offense. Briles, who came over from Houston after being fired in the sweeping scandal under his father at Baylor, has baggage but is considered an offensive wizard. Teams under Briles direction averaged 30+ points per game, and the same or greater output is expected at Florida State. Florida State was woeful on the offensive line in 2018, and Briles brought along his line coach from Houston Randy Clements. Improvement is expected everywhere offensively, which will also help a defense that lacked quality depth and was overwhelmed with exhaustion on many occasions last fall. Nobody can excuse Florida State finishing 5-7 last fall, as there is simply too much talent on hand to support that level of failure. Taggart has recruited well, and has taken notable steps in changing the culture in Tallahassee for the better. Many around the program are quietly thinking anything short of eight wins will have Taggart looking for work, but he financial coffers give evidence he may get another season unless the Seminoles totally collapse. We think FSU has a good season, somewhat restoring the order, and with another highly rated recruiting class, may take steps toward regaining their place among the nations elite.
OFFENSE
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QB James Blackman
Photo/Bleacher Report |
It was simply mind boggling to watch Florida State and it's historically potent offense be grounded in ineffectiveness as it was a year ago, even when recognizing the offensive line was nothing short of offensive. Enter new offensive coordinator Kendal Briles, who in stints at Baylor, Florida Atlantic and Houston, lead fast paced explosive offenses. Briles has plenty of skill position talent to work with, so expect the Seminoles to be much more efficient and dangerous on offense. Let's start up front, where FSU has nowhere to go but up. Randy Clements came over from Houston with Briles to coach the offensive line, who immediately installed a new strength program already producing results. Jauan Williams will once again handle the left tackle spot. Williams played poorly last fall, but he has a good frame and is expected to be much improved. Northern Illinois graduate transfer Ryan Roberts step in a right tackle. Roberts is an intelligent and mature player who figures to give the Seminoles much needed leadership up front. Jay Williams, Abdul Belo, Chaz Neal and Jalen Goss are the backups. Brady Scott will return at left guard while true freshman Dontae Lucas appear set to win the right guard spot over Mike Arnold. Christian Armstrong will back up along with Anthony Boselli, who will also back up starting center Baveon Johnson, who is a quality player. Depth along the line is really an issue, so the Seminoles must stay healthy here. After all, protecting the quarterback is paramount for the Seminoles. That quarterback is redshirt sophomore James Blackman, who house a strong arm and displays poise beyond his years. Blackman, 6'5' 190, was pressed into action as a true freshman in 2017 and had one start last fall, completing 58% of his targets with a decent 19-11 TD-INT ratio. With gains mentally and physically since 2017, and under the superior coaching of Briles, Blackman should really excel in 2018. In recent season, depth at quarterback has been nonexistent, but with Wisconsin transfer Alex Hornibrook and Louisville transfer Jordan Travis, depth is not an issue in 2019. JR Cam Akers had to change his running style in 2018, and when coupled with the aforementioned horrendous offensive line, he was stuck in the mud last fall. SO Khalon Labron seemed to adjust to that style better, but he blew out a knee early. The old way of running has resumed, and this should bring back the old Akers, who was a freshman All America player in 2017. Labron is back at 100%, and he will factor in, backed by Anthony Grant. SO WR Tamorrion Terry is a potential All America candidate, tall and lengthy with good hands and blazing speed. Terry will lead a deep and potentially explosive group, which returns six of the top seven pass catchers from 2017. DJ Matthews, Keith Gavin, Keyshawn Helton and TreShaun Harrison are proven and Ontaria Wilson is ready, but along with freshman Renardo Green, it is newcomer Warren Thompson who is set to break upon the scene in a big way. TE Tre McKitty is a dangerous weapon for the Seminoles, and we could see him approach 40 receptions. With Kendal Briles assuming control of this unit, the Seminoles could be expected to put up 35 points per game. That would have resulted in three more wins in 2018.
DEFENSE
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DT Marvin Wilson
Photo/Seminoles.com |
Given the ineptitude of the Florida State offense, the defense never really stood a chance. Constantly placed in poor down and distance situations, and without adequate rest, the unit broke down quickly and was exploited repeatedly. While there are holes remaining and a lack of depth in the middle, the unit has a chance to be much improved, particularly when considering the offensive improvement expected. Up front, it starts with a pair of tackles that can stuff the middle. JR Marvin Wilson, a potential All America candidate, joins SO Corey Durden (4TFL), who is really coming on. Robert Cooper, who has the look of a true nose tackle, has slimmed down to about 320, is better than most know. Tru Thompson, Malcolm Lamar, Dennis Briggs and Cedric Wood back up. The Seminoles have potential stars on the edge, but injuries have tampered the enthusiasm. Josh Kaindoh has all the tools, but he has been slowed throughout his career with injuries. Time for him to shake it off and get busy. Leonard Warner appears to have grabbed the spot opposite Kaindoh. Janariaus Robinson has skills and coaches are excited to see what freshman Amari Gainer can do. Dontavious Jackson is back at linebacker, and he plays strong. Emmett Rice has always shined when given time, so we look for him to get quality snaps. Jaiden Lars-Woodbey has moved up to a new linebacker spot, backed by DeCalon Brooks. Jaleel McRae Kevon Glenn and Kalen Deloach are freshman looking to make an impact in 2019. The secondary is by far the most talented and deepest position on the team. Former corner Lavonta Taylor has moved to safety, and he has felt comfortable. Cyrus Fagan is a quality backup. At strong safety, the Seminoles will start Hamsah Nasrildeen. This position is similar to a rover, taking advantage of Nasrildeen's athleticism. Five star freshman Akeem Dent could back up here, as could Carlos Becker and freshman Raymond Woodie. Stanford Samuels and Asante Samuel are very good starting cornerbacks, both looking to take the next step to challenging for conference honors. Kyle Meyers and Isaiah Bolden have experience, but freshman Travis Jay is hungry. The youth on this unit is pushing competition, which will make the unit better. The linebacking core lacks adequate depth, so this is not a place to have injuries set in. The unit is fast, and the secondary is strong. If the offense improves as expected, this unit will find footing, It is not one of the defenses of old, but they are rangy and with some attacking play creating turnovers, we can expect the unit to be formidable.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Again this season, the Seminoles return both kicking specialists. Logan Tyler averaged 43.2 yards per kick again this past season. Tyler looks to improve, as does his protection after allowing a punt to be blacked last fall. Ricky Aguayo only hit 11 of 17 field goals a year ago, which was much worse than the prior season. That might not get it in 2019, as the Seminoles welcome P/PK Ryan Fitzgerald to the fold. With all the foot speed on hand, one would think the return game would be more of a weapon for FSU. DJ Matthews did return a punt for a score a year ago, and he has potential to really get loose. Backup running back Anthony Grant will lead the kickoff return team. Deonte Sheffield, Tre'shaun Harrison and Keyshawn Helton will also have chances.
INTANGIBLES
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| Seminoles |
A losing season and the breaking of the longest bowl streak in college football history has Seminole Nation infuriated, and another season with similar results could have coach Willie Taggart looking for work. It seems much of the negativity has been weeded out, and some positive vibes have engulfed the program with the changes of some assistant coaches, so many think the program can begin ascending to once again become contender in the ACC. Much is on the shoulders of new offensive coordinator Kendal Briles, who has directed high powered offenses in each of his previous spots. Briles has top talent at his disposal, so even with an average at best offensive line, the expectation for offensive success is high. It would seem that anything worse than 8-4 would really get the seats on the coaching staff HOT!
HONORS CANDIDATES
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RB Cam Akers
Photo/FanSided |
For Florida State, the list of players who have a legitimate shot at national honors is at a modern era low. Three players have a chance to reach the national stage. WR Tamorrion Terry, who has a skill set rivaled by few, should be targeted 10+ plays per game and if so, could make national waves. Cam Akers was brilliant as a freshman but disappeared in 2018. If the real Cam Akers comes to play, he should grab conference honors at a minimum. The sky is the limit for five star DT Marvin Wilson, who could achieve All America honors if he plays to his immense capabilities. LB Dontavious Jackson, DE Janarius Robinson, DB Jaden Lars-Woodbey, DB Asante Samuel, DB Lavonta Taylor and DB Hamsah Nasrildeen are all conference candidates, as is P LoganTyler. We think OT Ryan Roberts may also receive some recognition.
NEW ARRIVALS
Even though Florida State was a dumpster fire on the field in 2018, you have to give the staff credit for landing a very strong recruiting class. Several of these players will see extensive action in 2018, and a few may be starters. On the offensive line, Dontae Lucas, who has star potential, has won a job a guard. Jaleel McRae leads a group of linebackers figuring to find the field, including Kalen DeLoach and Kevon Glenn. DT Tru Thompson figures to get time as a backup on the nose. Defensive backs Akeem Dent, Travis Jay, Brendan Gant and Raymond Woodie will contribute, especially Dent. WR Renardo Green has impressed coaches and is fighting for time among a deep rotation. Ryan Fitzgerald has a chance to unseat the order at placekicker, if only on kickoffs.
FINAL ANALYSIS
After the absolutely horrendous 2017, there is nowhere to go but up, as any continued movement down would result in a complete cleansing of the athletic staff. Observations from those who are experts in such matters indicate the mindset within the program has turned positive. The culture has improved, leading to gains in terms of citizenry, work ethic, discipline and responsibility. The new talent has come ready to contribute, and lead, aiming to help return the Seminoles to glory. Many will get that chance; game one. There is much to prove, and much to gain. The schedule is opportunistic. Florida State opens in Jacksonville against Boise State. The Broncos are a good football team, but this is a game being played in the state with a home field advantage the Seminoles must have. As I discussed with Coach Taggart in an event in the spring, from a mentality standpoint, winning this game is critical for the mindset of the team, especially with, after the home opener against Louisiana Monroe, at trip to a much improved Virginia on the slate. The gulf between 3-0 versus 1-2 is vast! We got FSU 3-0. Home games against Louisville and NC State put FSU 5-0 before a trip to Clemson, where FSU will be 28 points dogs. A trip to Wake Forest follows before the Seminoles come home to face a potentially top 15 team in Syracuse. A home game with rival Miami follows. It just seems obvious there is a loss somewhere in here. FSU travels to Boston College, where weather may test the mental toughness, followed by a home game against Alabama State. FSU finished at rival Florida, where again they will be underdogs. The schedule looks 8-4, but we buy the culture change and recognize the level of talent on hand, so we will take the over and land at 9-3. That is not the FSU of old, but is damn fine when placed against 5-7.
GAMEDAY GALLERY
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