For Florida State at wide receiver, talent doesn’t seem to be the problem. Depth however, is.
As has been mentioned previously, FSU returns only five scholarship players from a season ago at the position. The top two returning receivers — Nyqwan Murray and Auden Tate — combined for 52 catches, 850 yards receiving and 11 touchdown grabs in 2016. The other three — Keith Gavin, George Campbell and Da’Vante Phillips — have just eight combined career catches for 72 yards.
Each of those three were former blue-chip prospects and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see any or all of them contribute this season. On top of that, the Seminoles will be welcoming in two true freshmen at the position — D.J. Matthews, a 4-star prospect and Tamorrion Terry, a 3-star recruit. Adding to the concerns however, are the facts that Campbell has battled injuries over his first two seasons while Terry has yet to qualify.
With more questions than answers at the position, it’s possible that Florida State could look for help in the form of a walk-on. Senior Jared Jackson made an impact for the Seminoles last year as a special teamer, but could be a contributor on offense this year.
In the Gold’s 17-7 win over the Garnet in the annual spring game, Jackson led his team with three catches for 51 yards. Though spring games tend to see a lot of walk-ons get playing time, Jackson made plays while matched up with scholarship players like safety Ermon Lane and early enrollee Stanford Samuels III.
This wasn’t the first time that Jackson has made an impact in a spring game. In last year’s intrasquad contest in Orlando, Jackson caught two passes for 13 yards and a touchdown. The year prior, he had one catch for 10 yards in the spring game.
At 6-2 and nearly 200 pounds, Jackson could potentially be utilized out wide or in the slot. Jackson isn’t the most athletic receiver, but he is quick, catches the ball well and runs good routes. On special teams last season, Jackson showed plenty of toughness and some physicality. It is unlikely that Jackson is an intricate part of the receiving corps behind Tate and Murray, but it’s possible he could produce in a limited, but significant capacity.
Though he hasn’t had to use walk-ons much as head coach, Jimbo Fisher has given meaningful reps to walk-ons like wide receiver Louis Givens and fullback Daniel Gard in the past. It’s entirely possible the same could happen with Jackson in 2017.
Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson
You must be logged in to post a comment Login