FSU Football: Ranking Each Position Group

Florida State’s preseason depth chart was unveiled Thursday, giving fans if nothing else, something to talk about. What grabbed the most headlines was Sean Maguire being listed as the No. 1 quarterback, but that was not all that surprising given that he was the No. 1 in preseason last year.

Other positions are also likely to see some shuffling around whether that come by injury or just one player overtaking another. While nothing is etched in stone as far as the FSU roster is concerned, we decided to take a look at what positions were the biggest strengths for the Seminoles.

Here’s each position group, ranked from worst to best:

8. Linebackers
Linebackers is last on the list here, but not because of a shortage of talent, but because of the unknown. Matthew Thomas and Ro’Derrick Hoskins were listed atop the depth chart as expected Thursday and should be the starters. Both are talented, but largely unproven. Thomas was a 5-star recruit out of high school in 2013, but because of injuries and off-the-field issues has yet to become the player that head coach Jimbo Fisher had hoped. Hoskins played well early last year, but saw a reduced role as the season went on. Behind those two are a slew of young players, who are either incoming freshman or have yet to take any real meaningful snaps.

7. Specialists
This is another unknown for Florida State, but the incoming talent is exceptional. Freshmen Ricky Aguayo and Logan Tyler were among the best specialists in the country out of high school and will be tasked with replacing a 2-time All-American in Roberto Aguayo, Ricky’s brother, and the ACC’s leading punter in Cason Beatty. Those two are expected to compete for the placekicking duties while Tyler will take on Oklahoma transfer Jack Steed for the role of punter.

6. Quarterbacks
Yet another unknown is the quarterback position, where the race for the starter seems to be between redshirt senior Sean Maguire and redshirt freshman Deondre Francois. Maguire has six starts under his belt, including wins over ranked Clemson and Florida teams, but is coming off a 4-interception performance in the Peach Bowl and hasn’t played great against better competition. Francois is largely unproven, but throws a good ball and brings an added element with his legs. Incoming freshman Malik Henry also has huge upside, but will likely redshirt in 2016. The good news for FSU is that to have success in 2016, quarterback play doesn’t have to be a major strength, but it cannot be a weakness.

5. Offensive Line
The offensive line for Florida State returns all five starters from last year’s inconsistent group and should be a major strength in 2016. Left tackle Roderick Johnson is the best of the bunch, but guards Kareem Are and Wilson Bell have each shown promise at times. Alec Eberle, who started the final six games at center, last season was listed on the preseason depth chart ahead of Ryan Hoefeld and Corey Martinez. The most wide open position is right tackle, which looks to be a 3-way race between incumbent Brock Ruble, Derrick Kelly and converted defensive end Rick Leonard. Behind those listed is a plethora of talented youngsters.

4. Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Depth, speed and size. Florida State has it all at wide receiver, but the question will be which players step up in 2016. Receivers Travis Rudolph, Kermit Whitfield and Jesus Wilson all return after each finishing with more than 600 yards receiving last year, but behind them is a slew of big receivers in Ermon Lane, Ja’Vonn Harrison, Da’Vante Phillips, George Campbell and Auden Tate, who have only scratched the surface of their potential. Nyqwan Murray is a talented shifty sophomore while Keith Gavin is a big, fast and physical incoming freshman. At tight end, the Seminoles are legitimately four deep. Ryan Izzo tops the depth chart after finishing with 210 yards receiving and a pair of touchdowns last season.

3. Defensive Line
Up front defensively, Florida State might as good as anyone in the country. DeMarcus Walker returns after recording 10.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss from his defensive end position and is joined by an athletic freak on the other side in sophomore Josh Sweat. Inside, Derrick Nnadi and Demarcus Christmas should be able to stuff opposing ground games. The lone issue for FSU at the position will be depth. Keith Bryant, Arthur Williams, Fred Jones and incoming JUCO transfer Wally Aime are all largely unproven. Though he’s listed as a linebacker, Jacob Pugh should be serviceable as Sweat’s backup, but the Seminoles may need to rely on an incoming freshman like Brian Burns to play meaningful snaps at end.

2. Running Backs
Junior Dalvin Cook is coming off the best season ever for a Florida State running back, rushing for 1,691 yards and 20 total touchdowns. Cook is seen as a legitimate Heisman Trophy contender heading into 2016 and if he can stay healthy, should obliterate the all-time school rushing record held by Warrick Dunn. Behind Cook are Jacques Patrick, Ryan Green and Johnathan Vickers. Patrick is a power-runner who was a former 5-star recruit expected to make strides as a sophomore in 2016. Green performed admirably in the spring after suffering a shoulder injury last year while Vickers played well at times last season. Joining them in the backfield is Freddie Stevenson, who will be in his third season as FSU’s starting fullback.

1. Secondary
Florida State is among a handful of schools that try to make the claim of being “DBU”, but the Seminoles should be able to further their claim this year. Sophomore safety Derwin James does just about everything for the Seminoles and was named to four preseason watch lists. He’ll be joined at safety by senior Nate Andrews, who has twice led the team in interceptions. Opposing quarterbacks managed to complete less than 35 percent of their passes when throwing at now senior cornerback Marquez White last year. In addition to those three, Trey Marshall has played well in his two previous years while youngsters Tarvarus McFadden, Marcus Lewis, Calvin Brewton and A.J. Westbrook are all very talented. The top incoming freshman for FSU is former 5-star cornerback Levonta Taylor.