The start of the 2017 regular season is exactly four months away as Florida State prepares to open the season against Alabama in Atlanta for what should be one of the most anticipated openers ever.
As usual, there is no shortage of talent for the Seminoles, but to reach their full potential, a number of players will need to do likewise. Here’s a look at five FSU players who should have a career-year in 2017:
Jacques Patrick, RB
Jacques Patrick is likely to split time with Cam Akers and perhaps others, but with all-time leading rusher Dalvin Cook gone, he should get more opportunities. Patrick has rushed for 664 yards over his first two seasons in Tallahassee while averaging 5.4 yards per carry. Only twice in his career has Patrick been given 20 or more carries in a game. He easily eclipsed the 100-yard mark both times.
Auden Tate, WR
You could probably add Nyqwan Murray to this list as well, but as the only two returning receivers to have made any meaningful impact, Murray and Auden Tate should be a formidable duo in 2017. Tate started out last season primarily as a red zone threat, but emerged as more of a complete receiver as the year went on. At 6-5 and 220 pounds, Tate can make the tough catches, but he can also stretch a defense vertically whether he gets separation or not.
Mavin Saunders, TE
With only five scholarship receivers returning, expect Florida State to utilize its tight ends more. The top two will be Ryan Izzo and Mavin Saunders. Izzo is more the total package right now, but Saunders is the better athlete with more upside. At 6-6 and an athletic 260 pounds, Saunders is a match-up nightmare. Saunders could be reliable safety valve for quarterback Deondre Francois as well as a threat down the seams.
Matthew Thomas, LB
After injuries and self-inflicted mistakes kept him off the field for the first three years of his career, Matthew Thomas came on strong late as a redshirt junior in 2016. Thomas finished the year with a monster performance in the Orange Bowl and should take the next step with a year of meaningful experience under his belt. At 6-3 and nearly 230 pounds, Thomas is an incredible athlete. If he can consistently play more instinctive and improve in pass coverage, the sky really is the limit.
Derwin James, S
For redshirt sophomore safety Derwin James, the task is simple: stay healthy. James missed all but two games last year due to a meniscus tear, but despite being worked along slowly as a freshman in 2015, he finished first, second or third on the team in total tackles, solo tackles, tackles for loss, sacks and forced fumbles. James covers a ton of ground, has few weaknesses and makes everyone around him significantly better.
Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson
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