Your Thoughts Thursday: The Line Will Be FSU’s Most Improved Offensive Position Group

Florida State didn’t have many strengths last season during a 5-7 campaign in 2018.

Despite allowing more points per game than any FSU team ever, the offense was still arguably worse than the defense. The Seminoles made three new coaching changes on that side of the ball as head coach Willie Taggart welcomed in new coordinator Kendal Briles, wide receivers coach Ron Dugans and offensive line coach Randy Clements.

In this week’s The Daily Nole Poll, we asked our social media followers which FSU offensive position group would be most improved in 2019. There were 161 total votes this week.

Nearly 70 percent said that the offensive line will be FSU’s most improved offensive unit. Quarterbacks received 16 percent, running backs earned 12 percent and wide receivers and tight ends received less than 5 percent.

Our Take
As usual, we’re going with our followers. The biggest reason may be that there is simply so much room to improve.

FSU’s offensive line may have been the worst Power 5 unit and one of the worst lines in the country. Cole Minshew, Abdul Bello, Jauan Williams, Brady Scott and Mike Arnold all return after making multiple starts during a sub-par season in 2018, but the addition of Clements and some needed internal competition should drastically improve things.

With prior stops at Houston and Baylor, Clements’ track record speaks for itself. In nine seasons at Baylor, Clements coached 13 All-Big XII selections and six All-Americans. FSU also added some guys up front who could compete for time right away in freshman Dontae Lucas, junior college transfer Jay Williams and Northern Illinois transfer Ryan Roberts.

That doesn’t mean other position groups won’t improve. Running backs were largely at the mercy of the offensive line last season while a lot of young wide receivers are expected to get reps this season. Many are also excited to see what James Blackman can do under center in place of the dismissed Deondre Francois.

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.