After winning three straight ACC titles and compiling the best record in the nation over a 3-year stretch, Florida State has a number of players that can be found on the ACC’s preseason all-conference team and even a couple who have been tabbed as All-Americans. But while FSU has a lot of talent, the Seminoles will face a lot of talent as well. Here’s a team comprised of the best players that FSU will face this season:
Offense
Deshaun Watson, QB Clemson
To say Deshaun Watson battled injury as a freshman would be a definite understatement, but in 2014, Watson still passed for nearly 1,500 yards while completing 68 percent of his passes. Watson also accounted for 19 total touchdowns and threw just two interceptions.
Shadrach Thornton, RB N.C. State
A senior for a potent N.C. State offense, Shadrach Thornton returns after rushing for 907 yards and 9 touchdowns in 2014. He also averaged 5.5 yards-per-carry and has scored two touchdowns against the Seminoles in each of the last two years.
Marlon Mack, RB South Florida
One of the few bright spots for South Florida last season, Marlon Mack rushed for 1,041 yards and scored 9 of USF’s 22 offensive touchdowns. Mack did so while averaging 5.2 yards-per-carry for a largely one-dimensional offense.
Mike Williams, WR Clemson
As a sophomore, Mike Williams finished with 1,065 yards receiving and scored 6 touchdowns. Williams is big at 6’4″ and 210 pounds, but showed he could stretch the field in 2014 by averaging better than 18 yards per reception.
GAINESVILLE, FL – NOVEMBER 22: Demarcus Robinson #11 of the Florida Gators carries during the game against the Eastern Kentucky Colonels at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on November 22, 2014 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images)
Demarcus Robinson, WR Florida
For a struggling offense, Demarcus Robinson finished with 810 yards receiving and 7 touchdowns as a sophomore in 2014. Robinson averaged better than 15 yards-per-catch and is Florida’s top returning offensive skill player.
Cam Serigne, TE Wake Forest
The top receiver for Wake Forest a season ago, Cam Serigne led the Demon Deacons with 54 catches for 531 yards and 5 touchdown receptions. Serigne will be just a sophomore in 2015.
Adrian Bellard, T Texas State
A 6’5″, 315-pound senior, Adrian Bellard headlines an offensive line for Texas State that has good skill players around it. The Bobcats averaged nearly 34 points-per-game last season.
Eric Mac Lain, G Clemson
A big part of a good offensive line interior for Clemson, Eric Mac Lain looks to help the Tigers have another big season. A senior, Mac Lain is 6’4″ and 305 pounds.
Ryan Norton, C Clemson
A senior, Ryan Norton anchors a veteran Clemson offensive line. The Tigers took a step back offensively last season, but are expected to be one of the most explosive offenses in the country in 2015.
Joe Thuney, G N.C. State
A senior guard, Joe Thuney will be part of an experienced offense for N.C. State. At 6’5″ and 295 pounds, Thuney hopes to open holes for Shadrach Thornton and provide protection for quarterback Jacoby Brissett.
Bryan Chamberlain, T Georgia Tech
A senior tackle for one of college football’s most prolific rushing offenses, Bryan Chamberlain hopes to help Georgia Tech win the Coastal division for the fourth time in seven years. The Yellow Jackets won 11 games including the Orange Bowl a season ago.
Defense
Sheldon Rankins, DE Louisville
An imposing figure at 6’2″ and 305 pounds, Sheldon Rankins led Louisville a season ago with 8 sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss. Rankins even had two interceptions and could be in for a bigger year in 2015.
Adam Gotsis, DT Georgia Tech
A senior, Adam Gotsis is a bit undersized at 6’5″ and 280 pounds, but had a big year as a junior in 2014. Gotsis finished with 6.5 tackles for loss and 3 sacks last season for a defense that improved as the season went on.
Jonathan Bullard, DT Florida
A load in the middle of the defensive interior for Florida, Jonathan Bullard finished with 52 total tackles as a junior last season including 8.5 for loss. With Dante Fowler Jr. now in the NFL, Bullard will headline a talented defensive front.
Shaq Lawson, DE Clemson
Playing opposite Vic Beasley last season, Shaq Lawson finished with 3.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss as a sophomore. With a youthful defensive line, many are predicting a big season for Lawson.
LOUISVILLE, KY – OCTOBER 30: James Burgess #13 of the Louisville Cardinals intercepts a pass thrown by Jameis Winston #5 of the Florida State Seminoles in the second quarter during their game at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium on October 30, 2014 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
James Burgess, LB Louisville
A senior linebacker, James Burgess did just about everything for Louisville a season ago. Burgess finished with 71 tackles, 10 for loss, 3 sacks and 3 interceptions. Burgess is expected to be a leader for a very talented Cardinals’ defense.
Antonio Morrison, LB Florida
Antonio Morrison finished with over 100 total tackles in 12 games for Florida last season. Morrison can go sideline-to-sideline and looks to have a career-year as a senior.
Brandon Chubb, LB Wake Forest
As a junior in 2014, Brandon Chubb was one of three Demon Deacons to finish with more than 100 tackles. Chubb finished with 109 total tackles, 6.5 for loss and 3 sacks.
Vernon Hargreaves III, CB Florida
Regarded as one of the best defensive backs in America, junior Vernon Hargeaves III is very physical on the outside. As a sophomore last season, Hargreaves pulled down 3 interceptions and a pair of fumble recoveries.
Deon Bush, S Miami
A hard-hitting senior, Deon Bush headlines a Miami defense that had its struggles a season ago. In 2014, Bush finished with a pair of interceptions and 2 sacks.
Jamal Golden, S Georgia Tech
Jamal Golden was tied for the team-lead with 4 interceptions a season ago for Georgia Tech. Golden has good speed and is a solid tackler.
Brian Poole, CB Florida
Playing opposite one of the best cornerbacks in the country in Vernon Hargreaves III, Brian Poole is quietly putting together a solid career at Florida. Poole led the Gators with 4 interceptions a season ago including two against FSU.
Special Teams
John Wallace, K Louisville
One of the more overlooked specialists in the ACC, John Wallace was 15-for-19 on field goal attempts a season ago including a long of 51. Wallace also made all 50 of his extra point attempts.
Alex Kinal, P Wake Forest
The ACC’s leading returning punter, Alex Kinal averaged 43.6 yards-per-punt a season ago with a long of 73. A third of Kinal’s 81 punts were downed inside the 20.
TAMPA, FL – SEPTEMBER 28: Wide receiver Stacy Coley #3 of the Miami Hurricanes runs for yardage during the first half against the South Florida Bulls on September 28, 2013 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
Stacy Coley, ST Miami
Despite a bit of a down-year in 2014, junior Stacy Coley is one of the nation’s most dangerous return men. As a freshman in 2013, Coley scored on both a kickoff and punt return and averaged 20 yards per punt return.
