With only five scholarship wide receivers returning and one of them having his future in doubt, there is a very good chance that Florida State will utilize its tight end more in 2017.
At the position, the Seminoles return a lot of size, talent and experience. Ryan Izzo headlines the group, but Mavin Saunders has contributed in each of the last two years and may be the more athletic of the two.
With 2017 looking like a big year for FSU tight ends, we decided to take a look at the 10 greatest seasons of all-time for Seminoles at the position:
10. Pat Carter (1987)
Stats: 28 receptions, 274 yards, 2 touchdowns
Pat Carter, an imposing 6-4, 260-pound tight end, was the third leading receiver on an FSU team that began a run of 14 straight top-5 finishes. Carter finished as a first-team All-American that season.
9. Melvin Pearsall (1997)
Stats: 31 receptions, 326 yards, 3 touchdowns
Melvin Pearsall finished his FSU career as the school’s all-time leader for touchdowns among tight ends. Pearsall found the end zone in each of his final three games as a senior in 1997 and finished his career with 11 touchdown grabs.
8. Lonnie Johnson (1991)
Stats: 22 receptions, 293 yards, 4 touchdowns
A dependable 3-year starter at tight end, Lonnie Johnson’s best season came as a sophomore in 1991. Johnson’s four touchdown catches that year tied receiver Shannon Baker and fellow tight end Warren Hart for the most on the team.
7. Thurston Taylor (1966)
Stats: 28 receptions, 366 yards, 3 touchdowns
After beginning his FSU career as an offensive tackle, Thurston Taylor evolved into a dependable pass-catcher for the Seminoles. During his career-year of 1966, only legend Ron Sellers finished with more receiving yards than Taylor.
6. Ed Beckman (1976)
Stats: 37 receptions, 521 yards, 3 touchdowns
During Bobby Bowden’s first year as the head coach of Florida State, Ed Beckman was one of his most dependable targets, leading the team in receptions while finishing second in receiving yards and touchdown catches. That year, Beckman was named an honorable mention All-American.
5. Joe Goldsmith (1974)
Stats: 42 receptions, 525 yards, 2 touchdowns
For his senior year, Joe Goldsmith made the transition from wide receiver to tight end and what a year it was. Goldsmith wound up leading the Seminoles in receiving and finished second only to Larry Key in yards from scrimmage.
4. Nick O’Leary (2013)
Stats: 33 receptions, 557 yards, 7 touchdowns
As a junior in 2013, Nick O’Leary was an integral part of a national championship team that scored more points than any FBS team ever. O’Leary’s seven touchdown receptions that season was the most ever for an FSU tight end. Against Syracuse that year, he broke Melvin Pearsall’s career record for that category.
3. Gary Parris (1972)
Stats: 49 receptions, 629 yards, 4 touchdowns
After progressing every year on campus, Gary Parris broke through as a senior in 1972. Only Barry Smith had a better year receiving for the Seminoles, who finished 7-4. Parris went on to play eight years in the NFL.
2. Jim Tyson (1969)
Stats: 49 receptions, 720 yards, 4 touchdowns
As a junior in 1969, Jim Tyson enjoyed arguably the greatest season ever by a Florida State tight end. Tyson not only led the Seminoles in catches and receiving yards, but in yards from scrimmage as well. Only Don Pederson caught more touchdowns that season.
1. Nick O’Leary (2014)
Stats: 48 receptions, 618 yards, 6 touchdowns
Nick O’Leary’s numbers as a senior in 2014 may not be as good as Tyson’s in 1969, but as the only John Mackey Award winner in FSU history and a Consensus All-American, O’Leary takes the top spot. Only all-time leading receiver Rashad Greene had more touchdowns and yards for receivers that season than O’Leary.
Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson
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