When examining what the Florida State offense might look like in 2017, there are a number of factors that will determine its success. Quarterback Deondre Francois will need to improve in areas of pocket presence, anticipation and accuracy while the Seminoles still look to replace their all-time leading rusher, leading receiver two years in a row and best offensive lineman.
Despite the losses of running back Dalvin Cook and receivers Travis Rudolph, Kermit Whitfield and Jesus Wilson, most fans still seem comfortable with what FSU has at the skill positions. The biggest concern at this point might be the offensive line.
Unlike at running back where FSU is replacing a Unanimous All-American or receiver where the Seminoles are returning just five scholarship players, there is experience returning up front. In total, returning offensive linemen have combined to make 57 career starts. That number would have been even greater had center Ryan Hoefeld decided to stay with the program or had Wilson Bell not decided to transfer, as first reported by The Daily Nole.
Despite the experience however, Florida State could play a number of new faces along that contingent. Assuming he fully recovers from a knee injury, Landon Dickerson is the only player who currently looks like a lock to start. Dickerson made seven starts at right guard last year, ousting the incumbent Bell in Week 2.
Dickerson however, isn’t guaranteed to be reinserted at right guard, but that seems the most likely scenario. The other player who seems most likely to start at this point is redshirt sophomore Cole Minshew, who would likely man the other guard position. Minshew performed very well in his three starts a season ago, filling in for Bell and an injured Kareem Are.
The most veteran offensive lineman returning is center Alec Eberle. Eberle has 19 starts under his belt and was one of only two FSU offensive linemen to start every game last season, but had his struggles. After missing the spring with a hip injury, there is a very real chance that redshirt freshman Baveon Johnson unseats him. Andrew Boselli, also a redshirt freshman, is another candidate.
The right tackle position most believe is a 2-man race between redshirt junior Brock Ruble and senior Rick Leonard. Ruble is the second-most experienced offensive linemen for FSU with 13 starts under his belt and performed well in pass-blocking during the spring game. Leonard made the other six starts last season at right tackle after moving from defensive end during the spring and got better as the season went along.
The left tackle position seems to be trending in favor of redshirt freshman Josh Ball. Jauan Williams, another redshirt freshman, is thought to be another candidate. Junior Ethan Frith could be in the hunt. With left tackle being the most important position up front, there is some speculation that Dickerson slides over.
The position battles likely won’t be decided for some time, but with the ways things are going, it wouldn’t be shocking to see FSU trot out a young unit against Alabama on Sept. 2. If that unit for example, includes Ball, Minshew, Johnson, Dickerson and Leonard, it would have just 16 starts under its belt, leaving 41 on the bench.
Other experienced players like Corey Martinez (three career starts) and Derrick Kelly (six career starts) could still be in the mix as the season nears, but that is far from a guarantee at this point. Both of those guys have played multiple positions up front, so they could be assets in reserve roles.
Heading into last season, the offensive line was supposed to be a strength with five returning starters from a unit that was in the top half nationally in 2015 when it had four new starters. That turned out not to be the case as FSU allowed a ton of sacks, which wasn’t entirely the line’s fault, and struggled against teams like Ole Miss and Louisville early on.
In total, the Seminoles started seven different combinations up front last year as opposed to five the previous year. Whether FSU looks to go young or with experience up front, one thing is for sure: it needs to develop continuity.
Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson
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