FSU Football: 2017 Preseason Position Preview — Offensive Line

The offensive line — at least in terms of who starts — may be the single biggest mystery for Florida State heading into 2017. 2-time Jacobs Blocking Trophy winner Roderick Johnson is off to the NFL and only one of the five starting spots look to be secured.

Over the last two seasons, FSU has started 12 different combinations up front. This season could be more of the same as FSU still has 16 scholarship players up front, even with the subtractions of Ryan Hoefeld and Wilson Bell.

Although the Seminoles’ offensive line helped open holes for an All-American running back like Dalvin Cook last season, it was also among the nation’s leaders in most sacks allowed. That may be the most important area to correct.

1. The Name to Know: Landon Dickerson, G
It took Landon Dickerson just two games into his freshman season to earn a starting spot. At the right guard position, Dickerson supplanted the junior Wilson Bell, who started every game as a redshirt sophomore in 2015. Dickerson went on to start the next six games before a season-ending knee injury.

Among 16 scholarship offensive linemen, Dickerson looks like the only true lock to start and that’s assuming he recovers. The question will be where. The coaching staff likes Dickerson at guard, but as FSU’s best lineman, there has been speculation that Dickerson will take over for the departed Roderick Johnson and protect Deondre Francois’ blind side as the team’s starting left tackle.

2. Burning Question: Can FSU Develop Consistency and Cohesiveness?
There’s no question that the Florida State offensive line got better as the season went on last year and injuries were a factor, but the Seminoles started seven different combinations up front in 2016. This came after FSU started five different units in 2015.

There’s no shortage of talent up front as many of FSU’s scholarship players were of the blue-chip variety out of high school. The problem has been finding a unit that can get the job done week in and week out. If Florida State is able to do that, the sky is the limit for FSU as an offense and a title contender.

3. Put Your Future Stock In: Baveon Johnson, C
Just a redshirt freshman, Baveon Johnson is expected to contend with incumbent Alec Eberle as the team’s starting center this season, but Johnson is also a candidate to play guard. A 4-star out of high school, big things are expected of Johnson and they’re expected this season. Johnson is listed at 6-3 and 325 pounds, but is very athletic for a man his size and fully capable of getting to the next level and sealing off linebackers.

4. Other Names to Know: Cole Minshew, Alec Eberle, Brock Ruble, Rick Leonard, Josh Ball, Ethan Frith, Jauan Williams, Derrick Kelly, Andrew Boselli
Assuming Dickerson remains at right guard, redshirt sophomore Cole Minshew is a strong candidate to play left guard. Eberle, who has 19 starts under his belt, is a redshirt junior and again expected to play center, but redshirt freshmen Johnson and Andrew Boselli could make things interesting. The right tackle battle looks to be between Brock Ruble and Rick Leonard — both fourth-year players — who split time there last year.

Josh Ball impressed in the spring game and could be a candidate to start at left tackle, although Ethan Frith also hopes to be in the mix. Jauan Williams like Ball is a redshirt freshman that FSU is high on. Derrick Kelly is another name that should not be forgotten as the redshirt junior has made starts at both guard and tackle over the last two years.

5. Food For Thought
While the FSU offensive line has been largely inconsistent, it is relatively experienced entering 2017. The team has 57 career starts on the roster and 10 of the 16 scholarship players up front are in at least their third year with the program. Six are in at least their fourth.

Rick Leonard is the only scholarship senior up front for Florida State while Brady Scott is the only true freshman. With several redshirt freshmen in the mix, it is worth noting that Brock Ruble is the only freshman to start an opener up front for the Seminoles since Jimbo Fisher became head coach. Ruble started the season-opener against Texas State in 2015.

Whoever starts the opener will have their work cut out for them, because FSU opens the year against Alabama on Sept. 2 in Atlanta. The Crimson Tide perennially have one of the best defensive fronts in the country and this year is expected to be no different.

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