The start of the 2015 season is just over two months away as Florida State aims for a fourth straight ACC championship. The Seminoles have been the best team in college football over the last three years, going a combined 39-3 with two major bowl victories and the 2013 national championship. With a younger roster, expectations aren’t quite as high for this upcoming season, but there will be no lack in talent. Here’s a look at how each position ranks for FSU from best to worst.
1. Secondary
Florida State is losing both starting cornerbacks early to the NFL, but remarkably, the strength of the FSU defense continues to be the secondary. Jalen Ramsey at this point looks like a definite first round pick and will move back to cover corner while Tyler Hunter is the most experienced member of the secondary and Nate Andrews has led the team in interceptions in each of his first two years in Tallahassee. The Seminoles also bring in a pair of the nation’s top high school defensive backs in corner Tarvarus McFadden and top safety Derwin James. Lamarcus Brutus, Trey Marshall, Ryan Green and Marquez White will also be in the mix.
2. Running Backs
Sophomore Dalvin Cook will be the headliner for the Florida State offense after becoming the first FSU freshman ever to eclipse the 1,000-yard rushing mark and that came after Cook saw no action in last season’s opener against Oklahoma State. Mario Pender has struggled to stay on the field, but was productive in limited time last season with 5 total touchdowns in nine games. Freshman Jacques Patrick played extremely well in the spring game while fullback Freddie Stevenson will again be the lead-blocker for the Seminoles.
3. Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
The Seminoles are replacing the school’s all-time leading receiver and its first ever Mackey Award winner, but FSU will be reloading when it comes to pass-catchers. Travis Rudolph finished with 555 yards and 4 touchdowns as a freshman while Jesus Wilson also finished with more than 500 yards receiving in 2014. Ermon Lane and Ja’Vonn Harrison are each expected to make big strides in year number two with freshmen Da’Vante Phillips, Auden Tate and George Campbell each having the potential to be immediate contributors. Mavin Saunders looks to be the favorite to win the starting tight end job over Ryan Izzo and Jeremy Kerr.
4. Special Teams
With just four misses in two seasons, Consensus All-American kicker Roberto Aguayo may need to be an even bigger weapon in 2015. Aguayo has been nothing short of outstanding for FSU in terms of not only field goals, but kickoffs as well. Senior punter Cason Beatty looks to improve after averaging 41 yards-per-punt last season. Kick returner Levonte “Kermit” Whitfield looks for a bounce-back year after averaging less than 21 yards-per-return on kickoffs. Whitfield scored twice on kickoff returns in 2013.
5. Quarterbacks
De’Andre Johnson, Deondre Francois and J.J. Consentino make for a nice trio of freshman quarterbacks, but the competition looks to be between Notre Dame transfer Everett Golson, a senior, and Sean Maguire, a redshirt junior. Golson had a solid career with the Fighting Irish, helping lead them to the BCS National Championship in 2012 before being suspended for the 2013 season for academic reasons and succumbing to turnovers late in 2014. Maguire has just one career start, but threw for 308 yards in that start and led FSU from behind to defeat Clemson, 23-17 in last season’s ACC opener.
TALLAHASSEE, FL – NOVEMBER 8: Taquan Mizzell #4 of the Virginia Cavaliers and DeMarcus Walker #44 of the Florida State Seminoles go after a fumbled ball during the first half at Doak Campbell Stadium on November 8, 2014 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by Jeff Gammons/Getty Images)
6. Defensive Line
As is the case with the wide receiver position, the defensive line for FSU can be summed up in two words: young and talented. Florida State will be replacing Mario Edwards Jr. and Eddie Goldman, who each went in the second round of this year’s NFL Draft, but the Seminoles look to be solid in the middle with senior Nile Lawrence-Stample the veteran of the group. Demarcus Christmas and Derrick Nnadi each have a plethora of talent while on the outside, Chris Casher, DeMarcus Walker, Rick Leonard and Lorenzo Featherston hope to improve a pass-rush that netted just 17 sacks last season. Keith Bryant and freshman Josh Sweat should also be in the mix for FSU.
7. Linebackers
Throughout the depth chart, there is no area where FSU is thinner than at the linebacker position. Terrance Smith will once again be leader of the group, but leading tackler Reggie Northrup is coming off a knee injury and the Seminoles had both Kain Daub and E.J. Levenberry transfer this offseason. Matthew Thomas hopes to spend more time on the field this year while sophomore Jacob Pugh will likely spend the majority of his playing time in a pass-rushing role. Sophomore Ro’Derrick Hoskins and redshirt freshman Delvin Purifoy should each see a significant amount of reps this season.
8. Offensive Line
The offensive line will be the biggest question mark heading into 2015 and could be the unit that ultimately decides whether or not the Seminoles four-peat as ACC champions. Left tackle Roderick Johnson is the lone returning starter for FSU after a stellar freshman season. Center Ryan Hoefeld is the only other player along the front with any real experience, but will have to fight Alec Eberle, Kareem Are, Corey Martinez, Derrick Kelly and Wilson Bell for a spot on the inside. Chad Mavety has long been the favorite to man the right tackle position. 300-pound Abdul Bello headlined a recruiting class that brought in three offensive linemen.
