The 2017 season is upon us as Florida State looks to win the ACC and make the College Football Playoff for the first time since 2014. The Seminoles have a lot to like heading into the new year and will begin the year ranked No. 3 in the polls.
Earlier this offseason, we ranked each of Florida State’s position groups. With the regular season right around the corner, we look at the biggest concern for each of those groups:
Quarterbacks
Concern: Depth
After an ACC Rookie of the Year season, Florida State feels comfortable with Deondre Francois running the show. The only problem would be where to turn if Francois went down. The only other experienced quarterback on the roster is J.J. Cosentino, who is just 7-for-19 passing for his career. Beyond him, the only two scholarship quarterbacks are true freshman in Bailey Hockman and James Blackman. A true freshman hasn’t appeared in a game at quarterback for the Seminoles since Drew Weatherford in 2004 and he lasted just one snap.
Running Backs
Concern: Youth
With 124 carries under his belt, Jacques Patrick is the most experienced back on the FSU roster and should be a big part of the rushing attack for the Seminoles. Patrick however is expected to split time and those vying for it are sophomore Amir Rasul and freshmen Cam Akers and Khalan Laborn. Rasul carried the ball just six times last season while the two former 5-star prospects are new to the college game.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Concern: Depth
With Da’Vante Phillips’ FSU future in question, the Seminoles return just four scholarship wide receivers to go with two true freshmen and one converted defensive back. Nyqwan Murray and Auden Tate both had solid seasons in 2016, but if Phillips is gone, all other receivers on the roster would have just three career catches for 42 yards. There is no shortage of talent, but depth and experience are certainly issues.
Offensive Line
Concern: Consistency
Expected to be a strength last season, the offensive line did not live up to expectations. After starting five different combinations with a young unit in 2015, the Seminoles started seven different units last season. Roderick Johnson may be gone, but others like Alec Eberle, Derrick Kelly, Brock Ruble and Rick Leonard have a lot of experience under their belts. Rick Trickett’s group must find a way to gel as a unit and perform on a consistent basis.
Defensive Line
Concern: Leadership
Florida State is big, fast, deep and talented along the defensive line. The defensive front for the Seminoles should be among the best in the country, but with Consensus All-American DeMarcus Walker gone, this group needs an outspoken leader. One of the big names likely to fill that void is defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi.
Linebackers
Concern: Unproven depth
The FSU corps of linebackers has three very experienced seniors in Matthew Thomas (assuming he is with the team), Ro’Derrick Hoskins and Jacob Pugh. For the first time in a long time, FSU has depth at the position with talented guys like Emmett Rice, Dontavious Jackson and junior college transfer Adonis Thomas expected to make an impact. The only problem is that those players haven’t done that just yet.
Secondary
Concern: Communication
Like the Florida State defensive line, the secondary has no real weaknesses. That group is headlined by two potential All-Americans in safety Derwin James and cornerback Tarvarus McFadden. Aside from those two, the Seminoles are very talented with a nice mix of youth and experience. The problem last season with the secondary wasn’t talent, but rather breakdowns. That area got better as the year went on, but with a tough slate out the gate, the Seminoles must communicate early in the defensive backfield.
Special Teams
Concern: Consistency
Florida State kicker Ricky Aguayo and punter Logan Tyler were two highly-celebrated specialists out of high school. Both showed signs of their potential last season, but neither were very consistent. Tyler finished just 11th in the ACC in punting average. For Aguayo, five of his seven misses on field goals came in two games.
Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson
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