Saturday Seminole Summary: Blackman Heads Into Fall as Starter; FSU Hoops Unveils Non-Conference Slate

Redshirt sophomore quarterback James Blackman will enter fall camp as the team’s starter, head coach Willie Taggart told media members at ACC Kickoff earlier this week.

The news comes as no surprise after a solid spring performance. During the spring game, Blackman passed for 415 yards and three touchdowns in a 27-21 win for his Garnet team over the Gold.

Teammates have reportedly raved about Blackman’s leadership traits this offseason. After going 7-5 in 12 starts as a true freshman in 2017, Blackman passed for 421 yards and four touchdowns in his only start last season — a 47-28 loss at NC State — en route to being named ACC Offensive Back of the Week.

Blackman is one of just two scholarship quarterbacks sure to be eligible for the Seminoles in 2019. Joining him will be Wisconsin transfer Alex Hornibrook.

FSU is still waiting to learn whether Louisville transfer Jordan Travis will be granted a waiver for 2019. The Seminoles added former Western Michigan quarterback Wyatt Rector this offseason as a walk-on. Fall camp gets underway on Aug. 2.

RaiQuan Gray and FSU now knows what its non-conference schedule for 2019-20 looks like. (Mike Olivella/FSU athletics)

The 2019-20 ACC slate, aside from one game, has yet to be released, but the Seminoles now know what their non-conference slate will look like.

After opening with an ACC contest against Pittsburgh on Nov. 6 and visiting Florida on Nov. 10 — both as previously reported — FSU will play its home opener on Nov. 15 against Western Carolina. The Seminoles host Chattanooga on Nov. 20, St. Francis on Nov. 23 and Chicago State on Nov. 25. Contests against Chattanooga and Chicago State are part of the Emerald Coast Classic.

The Seminoles head to Niceville to complete the Emerald Coast Classic. After taking on Tennessee on Nov. 29, they will face either Purdue or Virginia Commonwealth the following day.

FSU opens December at Indiana for the ACC/Big Ten Challenge on Dec. 3. The Seminoles will host North Florida on Dec. 17 and wrap up the non-conference slate on Dec. 28 against North Alabama. On Dec. 21, Florida State will compete in the Orange Bowl Classic in Sunrise against an opponent yet to be named.

Football

Record: 0-0
Ranking: N/A
Upcoming: vs. Boise State (Aug. 31, in Jacksonville)
Recognitions: Cam Akers, RB (Maxwell Award watch list; Doak Walker Award watch list); Marvin Wilson, DT (Bednarik Award watch list); Tamorrion Terry, WR (Biletnikoff Award watch list); DeCalon Brooks (Allstate AFCA Good Works Team nominee); Tre’ McKitty, TE (Mackey Award watch list)
Weekly Commitments: None
2020 Recruiting Class Ranking: No. 13 nationally, third in ACC (16 total commitments)*
Big Picture: After a dismal 2018 campaign, Florida State opens fall camp on Aug. 2. Second-year head coach Willie Taggart desperately needs to have a solid season.

Men’s Basketball

Weekly Commitments: None
2020 Recruiting Class Ranking: No. 22 nationally, fifth in ACC (1 total commitment)*

Other News

FSU hoops players David Nichols, Trent Forrest, Harrison Prieto, Will Miles and Justin Lindner were named to the 2019 NABC Academic Honors Court.

FSU football unveiled its 2019 media guide, which includes new numbers and new weights.

FSU women’s tennis earned ITA Academic Team honors for the second straight season. FSU had five student-athletes — Julia Mikulski, Carla Touly, Petra Hule, Ana Oparenovic and Emmanuelle Salas — earn ITA Scholar-Athlete honors.

Former FSU quarterback Chris Weinke will be inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame on Nov. 12 in Orlando.

*247Sports Composite rankings

Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson. Like The Daily Nole on Facebook. To pitch an idea, author a post or to learn more about The Daily Nole, email Mike Ferguson at Mike@TheDailyNole.com.