For Florida State to live up to the lofty expectations set before the season, the Seminoles are going to have to do so with a freshman quarterback.
James Blackman was named the starter prior to what was supposed to a Sept. 9 home opener against Louisiana-Monroe. That contest was cancelled due to Hurricane Irma making its way through Florida. The ACC opener against Miami set for the following week was pushed back to Oct. 7.
Blackman will be taking over for redshirt sophomore Deondre Francois, who suffered a season-ending knee surgery late in the opener against Alabama — a 24-7 loss.
When Blackman finally does arrive under center for what is now scheduled to be his first start on Sept. 23 at home against N.C. State, he will become the first true freshman quarterback to start for the Seminoles since Chip Ferguson in 1985. Blackman was given the nod over more veteran players in redshirt junior J.J. Cosentino and fellow freshman Bailey Hockman, who enrolled early.
While Blackman has never been seen in a game setting, coaches and players have raved about his performances in practice and his leadership. At 6-5 and 185 pounds, Blackman is a slender signal-caller, but his arm strength was never in question.
Though many have began to break down what Blackman will bring to the table in terms of his physical attributes, the biggest key for Blackman moving forward may be mental. Getting the playbook down and being comfortable in the offense will go a long way for Blackman, but so will not making mistakes.
The idea of having a quarterback’s primary responsibility not losing the game rather than being forced to win it often leads many to use the “game manager” term. Under FSU head coach Jimbo Fisher however, quarterbacks are hardly ever the conventional description when that term is given.
Since Fisher became head coach in 2010, he’s had three starters go on to be drafted in the first round. Even Sean Maguire, who was arguably Fisher’s most limited quarterback, had a gunslinger’s mentality and was unafraid to take shots down the field.
Expect the same out of Blackman when it comes to throwing the football. The freshman from Belle Glade won’t likely be content with dinking and dumping, but he can’t make the throws that put his team in a bad situation and allow easy points for the opposing team.
When it comes to Blackman’s supporting cast, there is no shortage of talent. Four of Florida State’s seven scholarship wide receivers were blue-chip prospects while tight end Ryan Izzo looks like a player ready to take the next step. The backfield is also deep with a stable of talented backs.
The biggest concern coming into the year was the offensive line, but that unit held its own in pass protection against an Alabama defensive front that led the nation in sacks last season. Alabama did limit the Seminoles to 40 yards rushing, but the Crimson Tide were the only team in the country not to allow 1,000 yards rushing a season ago.
If Blackman can hit the ground running and take advantage of his talent and all that around him, there is a very good chance that an FSU quarterback wins ACC Rookie of the Year for a second straight season. Blackman probably doesn’t have to be Jameis Winston for FSU to have success this season and compete for an ACC title or perhaps more.
The one thing that he cannot be is a liability. Asking Blackman to be completely mistake-free is a bit much, but when FSU starting quarterbacks under Fisher have gone without an interception, the Seminoles are 40-4.
Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson
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