With the start of Florida State’s 2015 campaign just over a month away, preseason watch lists highlighting the nation’s top players have all been released. The Seminoles have seven different players on those lists with four players appearing on more than one. Here’s a look at each of the seven and which list(s) they’re on:
Roberto Aguayo, K
Lists: Lou Groza Award (Best Kicker), Wuerffel Trophy (Academic and On-field Performance)
The 2013 Lou Groza Award winner, Roberto Aguayo is almost unanimously regarded as the nation’s best placekicker. During his Florida State career, Aguayo is 48-for-52 on field goal attempts and has never missed a kick shorter than 40 yards.
Dalvin Cook, RB
Lists: Maxwell Award (Best Player)
Last season, Dalvin Cook became the first FSU freshman ever to eclipse the 1,000-yard rushing total. Cook’s FSU future is in question after being suspended indefinitely for allegedly punching a woman outside of a Tallahassee bar. If Cook is able to play in 2015, he will likely be the focal point of the Seminole offense.
TALLAHASSEE, FL – OCTOBER 18: Everett Golson #5 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish dives with the ball as Jacob Pugh #16 of the Florida State Seminoles tries to make the stop during their game at Doak Campbell Stadium on October 18, 2014 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
Everett Golson, QB
Lists: Maxwell Award, Walter Camp Award (Best Player)
A senior and Notre Dame transfer, Everett Golson will battle redshirt junior Sean Maguire for the starting job in Tallahassee. In two seasons as a starter in South Bend, Golson passed for nearly 6,000 yards and 41 touchdowns. Golson is 18-6 in his career as a starting quarterback and led the Fighting Irish to the BCS National Championship at the end of the 2012 season.
Roderick Johnson, T
Lists: Outland Trophy (Best Interior Lineman)
A sophomore left tackle, Roderick Johnson is the lone returning starter along the FSU offensive front. Johnson’s insertion into the starting lineup was a big pick-me-up for the Seminoles’ ground game a season ago and with five starts under his belt, Johnson is expected to be even better in 2015.
Reggie Northrup, LB
Lists: Butkus Award (Best Linebacker)
With 122 total stops in 2014, Reggie Northrup became the first FSU player since Buster Davis in 2006 to record more than 100 tackles in a season. Northrup however, suffered a major knee injury during the Seminoles’ Rose Bowl loss to Oregon and how effective he’ll be for 2015 remains in question.
Jalen Ramsey, CB
Lists: Bednarik Award (Best Defensive Player), Nagurski Trophy (Best Defensive Player), Thorpe Award (Best Defensive Back)
Junior Jalen Ramsey switches back to cover corner after playing FSU’s “star” position in 2014. As a sophomore, Ramsey did just about everything for the Seminoles. Ramsey led the team in forced fumbles and pass break-ups while finishing second on the squad in tackles for loss, sacks and interceptions.
Terrance Smith, LB
Lists: Bednarik Award, Nagurski Trophy, Butkus Award
One of the few returning starters from Florida State’s 2013 national championship defense, Terrance Smith’s career has been largely overshadowed by playing beside guys like Christian Jones and Telvin Smith. Smith is a sideline-to-sideline linebacker and finished with 87 tackles, a pair of interceptions and a team-high 2 fumble recoveries last season.
