FSU Football: Who Will Replace Each Departed Starter?

Florida State’s 2017 spring football game is just more than a week away and fans will finally get a look at the Seminoles in game action.

The spring game is obviously not something that too much should be taken away from as key players often sit out or wear non-contact jerseys and the units on the field are usually a mix of scholarship players and walk-ons. What the spring game does do is give an early glimpse of players who could see increased reps or starting roles.

Below, we’ll look at each starter that Florida State is losing and the player most likely to replace him at their position:

The Departing: Dalvin Cook, RB
Likely Replacement: Jacques Patrick
Overview: Replacing the school’s all-time leading rusher won’t likely be a 1-man job, but Jacques Patrick will probably get the start at tailback for FSU, at least early on in the season. True freshman Cam Akers and sophomore Amir Rasul are two players that the Seminoles are really high on and come fall, Khalan Laborn will join them in the backfield. In all likelihood, FSU will rotate backs and use them on a situational basis.

The Departing: Freddie Stevenson, FB
Likely Replacement: Gabe Nabers
Overview: Freddie Stevenson was a constant for Florida State as a 3-year starter at fullback. Stevenson was often overlooked, but generally got the job done as a lead blocker for the likes of Karlos Williams, Dalvin Cook and Jacques Patrick. His replacement will likely be Gabe Nabers, the only scholarship fullback on the roster.

The Departing: Travis Rudolph, WR
Likely Replacement: Auden Tate
Overview: Florida State will have to replace three very experienced wide receivers, including the team’s leading receiver in each of the last two seasons, Travis Rudolph. The guy likely to vie for those services early on is junior Auden Tate. Tate came on last year as a sophomore, finishing with six receiving touchdowns. Tate was a red zone threat early on, but saw his role expand as the season went on. At 6-5 and 225 pounds, Tate is a huge target, but has the ability to be a complete receiver.

The Departing: Kermit Whitfield, WR
Likely Replacement: George Campbell
Overview: The Seminoles will gain about eight inches in height with George Campbell, who will look to replace 5-8 speedster Kermit Whitfield. A former 5-star prospect, Campbell has just three career catches. He missed all of 2016 with a groin injury. Despite his large 6-4, 210-pound frame, Campbell is a tremendous athlete and is almost as dangerous in open space as he is down the field.

The Departing: Roderick Johnson, T
Likely Replacement: Josh Ball
Overview: Replacing former Jacobs Blocking Award winner Roderick Johnson at the most important position on the offensive line won’t be easy, but FSU will have to find a way to do it. Often referred to as “Big Rod” for his 6-7, 310-pound frame, the Seminoles could actually get bigger at left tackle with Johnson’s departure. Redshirt freshman Josh Ball is a mountain of a young man at 6-8 and nearly 290 pounds and is among a number of candidates hoping to land a starting job up front.

The Departing: Kareem Are, G
Likely Replacement: Cole Minshew
Overview: With Kareem Are having graduated and hoping to play on Sundays, Cole Minshew looks like the early favorite to assume Are’s left tackle position. Minshew came on late last season, making starts at both left and right guard in the absences of Are and Landon Dickerson. Minshew has been said to have quite the mean streak and should fit in well at the left guard position.

The Departing: DeMarcus Walker, DE
Likely Replacement: Josh Sweat
Overview: On the defensive side of the ball, the Seminoles will sorely miss DeMarcus Walker, but the defensive line should still be a strength for FSU. The likely replacement for Walker is junior Josh Sweat, who would be moving over from his “BUCK” position, which would probably be filled by the duo of Jacob Pugh and Brian Burns. Now 250 pounds, Sweat has bulked up considerably from his freshman year and is big enough to play the strong side. Sweat replacing Walker would give FSU its most experienced and perhaps most athletic starting defensive line.

The Departing: Marquez White, CB
Likely Replacement: Levonta Taylor
Overview: Marquez White was solid in his two years as a starting cornerback for Florida State, but finding someone to fill his void should not be a huge issue. The most likely player to do that is former 5-star recruit Levonta Taylor. Taylor, a sophomore, is small at 5-10 and about 170 pounds, but is physical and has very good ball skills. Taylor missed some of last year with a deep thigh bruise, but showed signs of being very, very good.

Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson