Ranking Each of FSU’s Position Groups for 2017

Like most seasons, Florida State is not at a loss for talent heading into 2017. The Seminoles are expected to begin the season in the top 5 and many believe that after watching Clemson win the ACC and reach the national championship in each of the last two seasons, FSU will again assume control of the conference.

Like with any college football team however, there are positions where is FSU is stronger at than others. In this piece, we rank Florida State’s position groups from worst to best.

8. Offensive Line
Depth is not a problem for Florida State when it comes to the big bodies up front, but over the last two seasons, the Seminoles have failed to develop consistency or cohesiveness from their big uglies. Jacobs Blocking Trophy winner Roderick Johnson is off to the NFL and the only lock to start up front is Landon Dickerson, who happens to be coming off a knee injury.

The Seminoles have a nice mix of talented youngsters like Baveon Johnson, Josh Ball and Cole Minshew to go along with some experienced veterans like Derrick Kelly, Alec Eberle and Brock Ruble. Finding the right combination however, has eluded the Seminoles in recent years and is a huge question mark heading into 2017. To make matters worse, FSU gave up 36 sacks a season ago.

7. Special Teams
Both Logan Tyler and Ricky Aguayo came to Florida State with a lot of hype last season, but the two freshmen were only middle-of-the-pack specialists in the ACC. Tyler finished just 11th in the conference in punting last season while Aguayo was inconsistent after beginning his career with a 6-for-6 effort on field goals against Ole Miss.

Furthermore, FSU had trouble covering punts and once Jesus Wilson went down, trouble catching them. The Seminoles will also lose Kermit Whitfield, who is one of the better kickoff returners in program history.

6. Quarterbacks
Deondre Francois is coming off a stellar redshirt freshman campaign and many believe that he can be even better as a sophomore this season. Francois put up 3,350 yards passing and 25 total touchdowns last season, but still has a ton of room for improvement. The key for FSU will be keeping him healthy.

Behind Francois, there is no meaningful experience. Redshirt junior J.J. Cosentino is the veteran of the group, but just 7-for-19 passing for his career. The other two scholarship players at the position — James Blackman and Bailey Hockman — are true freshmen. The Seminoles haven’t had a true freshman take a snap at quarterback since Drew Weatherford in 2004.

5. Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Florida State knows it has four dependable players at the pass-catching positions in receivers Auden Tate and Nyqwan Murray and tight ends Ryan Izzo and Mavin Saunders. Beyond that however, is a mystery.

The Seminoles are loaded with big, athletic, blue-chip prospects, but outside of Murray and Tate, all other FSU receivers have just eight combined career catches. George Campbell and Keith Gavin are two big targets with limitless potential, but neither have made an impact on offense in a game setting. Naseir Upshur is another young tight end that FSU has a lot of hope for.

4. Linebackers
For the first time in a long time, Florida State has depth at the linebacker position. Matthew Thomas and Ro’Derrick Hoskins are the veterans of the group, but others like sophomores Dontavious Jackson, Josh Brown, Adonis Thomas and Emmett Rice are all expected to contribute.

(wlpearce.com/FSU athletics)

Matthew Thomas really came into his own late last season after struggling to get on the field for much of his career. Another linebacker that cannot be overlooked is senior Jacob Pugh, who is used primarily as a pass-rusher. Pugh is coming off of an outstanding spring.

3. Running Backs
It’s never easy to replace your all-time leading rusher or a Unanimous All-American like Dalvin Cook, but FSU has the horses in the backfield to do just that. Jacques Patrick, a junior power back, is expected to get a large number of carries, but incoming 5-stars Cam Akers and Khalan Laborn should be in the mix as well.

Sophomore Amir Rasul is a player that Florida State really likes at the position. The Seminoles have a couple of seniors hoping to contribute in Ryan Green and Johnathan Vickers. Vickers is expected to try his hand at fullback as he did during the spring.

2. Defensive Line
Like running back, the defensive line is another position where Florida State is losing an All-American in DeMarcus Walker, but should still be a strength. The interior combination of Derrick Nnadi and Demarcus Christmas should be one of the best in the ACC. That unit also has depth with incoming freshman Marvin Wilson, Fred Jones, Cedric Wood and Wally Aime.

On the outside, Josh Sweat and Brian Burns return after combining for 16.5 sacks a season ago. Adding to that mix will be 5-star freshman Joshua Kaindoh, who gained valuable experience enrolling early. The Seminoles do lose Keith Bryant, but converted tight end Jalen Wilkerson has made noticeable strides along the defensive front.

1. Secondary
With the return of safety Derwin James after a meniscus tear, the Seminoles have potentially two All-Americans in the defensive backfield. James did everything for FSU as a freshman in 2015 and was recently listed at the top player in the country by Sports Illustrated. The other potential All-American is cornerback Tarvarus McFadden, who at 6-2, led the nation in interceptions as a true sophomore a year ago.

McFadden plays in a secondary loaded with young, talented cornerbacks that include Levonta Taylor, Kyle Meyers and Carlos Becker. The Seminoles have experience at safety with Nate Andrews and Ermon Lane expected to compliment James. A.J. Westbrook, a junior, got better as the season went on last year in James’ absence. Young players like cornerback Stanford Samuels III and safety Cyrus Fagan are also candidates to contribute. The secondary is easily FSU’s deepest, most talented position.

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