The start of the 2015 season is less than 50 days away as Florida State gets set to break in a number of a new faces. Expectations for the Seminoles are much lower than last season largely because of an inexperienced roster. For FSU to have success this season however, it will need added contributions from a number of key veterans. Here are five players that need to have a career-year:
Chris Casher, DE
One of the nation’s top 50 high school players in 2012, Chris Casher was highly-touted for his ability to get after the passer. In two full seasons playing for FSU, Casher has just three career sacks including only one a season ago despite a significant increase in playing time. The Seminoles ranked dead last in the ACC with only 17 sacks a season ago and for FSU to compete for the ACC again this season, those numbers will need to go up. With fellow defensive ends DeMarcus Walker and Rick Leonard having stellar springs, the window for Casher to have the type of career FSU coaches had hoped for is rapidly closing.
Mario Pender, RB
With sophomore running back Dalvin Cook’s FSU future in question, Mario Pender may wind up being the go-to back for the Seminoles this season. Pender missed the 2012 season with a severe groin injury and was academically ineligible for the 2013 campaign. Pender appeared in nine games in 2014 and finished with 5 total touchdowns on 51 touches. The veteran among the team’s tailbacks, Pender is expected to have a bigger impact this season and if FSU is to again be potent offensively, Pender will need to be meet those expectations.
Terrance Smith, LB
A senior and 3-year starter, Terrance Smith has had a pretty good Florida State career, but will probably need to save his best year for last. With last season’s leading tackler Reggie Northrup coming off a knee injury and Matthew Thomas forced to have reconstructive shoulder surgery, Smith will need to be outstanding to offset FSU’s noticeable depth issues at linebacker. Tyrell Lyons and Ro’Derrick Hoskins, who are listed behind Smith and Northrup on the depth chart, have just 12 combined career tackles.
Marquez White, CB
A cornerback who spent his first two years at Florida State playing behind future NFL corners like Ronald Darby, Lamarcus Joyner and P.J. Williams, Marquez White could have his opportunity to shine as a junior in 2015. White was listed as the starting cornerback opposite Jalen Ramsey on FSU’s initial depth chart and is expected to battle converted running back Ryan Green to keep his job. White has 15 career tackles and an interception in limited time, but with freshmen Tarvarus McFadden and Marcus Lewis fighting to see the field, White will need to make the most of his opportunity early in the season.
Kermit Whitfield, WR
No one will ever forget Kermit Whitfield’s 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to give FSU a fourth quarter lead over Auburn in the BCS National Championship, but offensively, Whitfield has yet to find his niche. Whitfield finished with just 11 catches last season and only three over Florida State’s final eight games. Whitfield also saw his kickoff return average dip by nearly 16 yards per return and did not score a single touchdown in 2014 after four as a freshman. Now a junior, Whitfield will be pushed by a number of younger players like Ermon Lane, George Campbell and Ja’Vonn Harrison. If Whitfield wants to be more than just a special teams player, he’ll need to take advantage of every rep he gets on offense.
