The 2014 class saw some of the best years of Florida State football in its time, posting three 10-win seasons, two ACC titles and a BCS crown. The national championship winning squad was loaded with enough talent to spark debates about who the best team of the BCS era was. The 2013 Seminoles will always be up there near No. 1 if they aren’t already the best. They were truly a thing of beauty to watch.
Among all NFL Draft classes at Florida State, the most recent one has probably been the most impressive to scouts. Multiple Seminoles, even those taken in later rounds, became immediate impact players on their teams and obtained high praise in their rookie seasons. A little over one year removed from the national championship and it’s obvious why 2013 was such a good year for FSU.
With seven draft picks, there was a bit of a drop-off in the number of Florida State players selected from a school-record 11 the previous year. However, it still manages to probably be the best class of the Jimbo Fisher era so far.
PHILADELPHIA, PA – NOVEMBER 10: Kelvin Benjamin #13 of the Carolina Panthers scores a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles on November 10, 2014 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Evan Habeeb/Getty Images)
Kelvin Benjamin (WR) – 1st Round, 28th Pick, Carolina Panthers
It’s hard to remember an FSU receiver having more of a breakout year than Kelvin Benjamin’s 2013 season. After getting chunks of playing time and experience, Benjamin capitalized in his sophomore year by destroying defenses to the tune of 1,011 yards and 15 touchdowns. Even now, it is difficult to choose one play or game that defined his career. Was it the national championship winning catch against Auburn? The embarrassment of a vaunted Florida Gator secondary? What about the circus catches at Clemson? He may have had some problems with drops, but Benjamin impressed like few others have.
Originally the idea was that Benjamin would have to sit for a year or two, or at least get minimal game time to learn the position in the NFL. His potential proved to be too great however, and he got inserted into the starting lineup before the first game. From then on it was the (Cam) Newton-to-Benjamin show. Benjamin became the 11th rookie wide receiver in NFL history to record a 1,000-yard season, totaling 1,008 yards and 9 touchdowns. He still has some work to do with route running and looking the ball in, but it’s hard not to be excited with what he showed in his first year with the Panthers.
If Benjamin stays on his current projection, he could legitimately be a top 10 wide receiver in the NFL by next year. The guy has so much talent that he is finally realizing, and Carolina fans should be happy to know that they have him for at least the next few years.
CLEMSON, SC – OCTOBER 19: Lamarcus Joyner #20 of the Florida State Seminoles reacts after a play against the Clemson Tigers during their game at Memorial Stadium on October 19, 2013 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
Lamarcus Joyner (S) – 2nd Round, 41st Pick, St. Louis Rams
There was not a single player that the defense missed more in 2014 than Lamarcus Joyner. Forget his All-American selection, forget his two-time first team All-ACC honors. His leadership was by the far the most important cog in the defensive secondary. When he left for the draft, the Seminoles needed to replace their main operator and try to replicate the success they had with him. Unfortunately, guys like Joyner don’t just grow on trees. His absence was obvious last season and there’s no bigger testament to his talent than looking at how the team performed without him.
Joyner’s NFL career has gotten off to a bit of a rocky start. Coach Jeff Fisher of the Rams said that Joyner was progressing along nicely before a groin injury midway through the season. From then on, he struggled to get back on the field and had to fight for his starting position. Jeff Fisher was certainly right about the progression. Before the injury, Joyner had racked up 43 tackles including 11 in one game.
Hopefully Joyner can stay healthy next season and take the starting safety position for good. You only get so many chances in the league, and injuries can certainly derail those if they reoccur.
FOXBORO, MA – JANUARY 10: Timmy Jernigan #97 of the Baltimore Ravens hits Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots in the first half during the 2014 AFC Divisional Playoffs game at Gillette Stadium on January 10, 2015 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
Timmy Jernigan (DT) – 2nd Round, 48th Pick, Baltimore Ravens
As yet another successor in the family of FSU defensive linemen, Jernigan anchored the position during the national championship run. While he was never a proficient pass-rusher with only 8.5 sacks in his career at FSU, he was known for his stonewall run defense that prevented offenses from getting anything up the middle. He had an astounding 63 tackles and 11 tackles for loss his senior season that earned him a first team All-American selection.
The stars have aligned for Jernigan to be the starting defensive tackle for Baltimore coming into next season. Main man Haloti Ngata left this offseason, meaning there is a huge hole to fill right in the middle of the Ravens’ defense. Jernigan looks to be the man to fill it. He saw action in 10 games last year and finished with 23 tackles and four sacks to close out the season. Head coach John Harbaugh already gave his approval when he said that Jernigan had “proven himself” his rookie year, meaning we will see a lot more of the big guy come fall.
CLEMSON, SC – OCTOBER 19: Terrence Brooks #31 of the Florida State Seminoles reacts after a fumble recovery during their game against the Clemson Tigers at Memorial Stadium on October 19, 2013 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
Terrence Brooks (S) – 3rd Round, 79th Pick, Baltimore Ravens
It’s not controversial to say that Brooks was helped out in 2013 by the plethora of talent that operated in the FSU secondary. What is controversial is the idea that he only played so well because of said talent. Brooks on his own was a hard-hitter who played smart football and almost never let a receiver get behind him. He seldom missed tackles and his football IQ was evident on almost every play he was involved in. He finished his FSU career with 126 tackles and five interceptions.
Brooks had seemingly found his niche with the Ravens and looked to get more time in the coming years. Unfortunately for him, he got injured in December and will not be healthy to start the 2015 season. He was yet another former ‘Nole who was coming along nicely before an untimely injury meant that he couldn’t finish out his rookie season. It doesn’t seem like the Ravens are moving on just yet so thankfully Brooks is in their long term plans. He just needs to get healthy again and perform.
ATLANTA, GA – NOVEMBER 23: Devonta Freeman #24 of the Atlanta Falcons runs the ball in the first half against the Cleveland Browns at Georgia Dome on November 23, 2014 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Devonta Freeman (RB) – 4th Round, 103rd Pick, Atlanta Falcons
Freeman was the complete package when he was at FSU. Not only did he have over 2,200 rushing yards and 30 rushing touchdowns during his career, but 475 receiving yards to go along with it. That isn’t even counting his superb blocking ability, which was something praised by coaches and fans alike. His performance in 2013 was good enough to be named first team All-ACC and he contributed mightily to a national championship. The first 1,000 rusher at FSU in 17 years, Freeman was incredibly reliable and many actually saw him performing better in the NFL than in college.
It seems that we will test that hypothesis this year. After a promising rookie season with 473 total yards and two touchdowns, many wondered if the team was going to move along with the current lineup or let the new guy take the reigns. That question was answered when the Falcons released veteran running back Steven Jackson this past offseason with the intent to make Devonta Freeman the go-to guy for Atlanta. It’s hard to see a more perfect fit for Freeman considering the Falcons propensity for passing and the need for a running back with receiving ability.
Florida State fans know how this story goes. Look for Freeman to have a breakout year in 2015.
GLENDALE, AZ – FEBRUARY 01: Bryan Stork #66 of the New England Patriots prepares to snap the ball in the first quarter against the Seattle Seahawks during Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium on February 1, 2015 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Bryan Stork (C) – 4th Round, 105th Pick, New England Patriots
A lot of players in this series were monumental to the Seminoles’ success, meaning a lot of people knew that once they left, their positions would become a place of inexperience for Florida State. But Bryan Stork’s departure and the subsequent drop in offensive line play was very unexpected. Stork was the leader of the line and was able to call out protections unlike anyone on the current roster. In retrospect, we should have seen the drop-off coming. Few could lose a Rimington Award winner, first team All-ACC center and unanimous All-American and continue on business as usual.
Stork was a major contributor in helping the Patriots win the Super Bowl in his rookie season. In back-to-back football seasons, Stork has hoisted a championship trophy — something that most guys only dream of. If all goes well, he will have many more chances for another ring. Stork was named the starter for the Patriots a few games into the season and started in 11 of them. His impact was immediately noticeable and many have proclaimed him to be the best Patriots’ selection from the 2014 draft. There is certainly a good argument for it: New England found the core of their line for years to come with a fourth round pick.
JACKSONVILLE, FL – AUGUST 28: Telvin Smith #50 of the Jacksonville Jaguars enters the stadium before the preseason NFL game against the Atlanta Falcons at EverBank Field on August 28, 2014 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
Telvin Smith (LB) – 5th Round, 144th Pick, Jacksonville Jaguars
Telvin Smith was the perfect example of a player waiting for his time to shine. After being a backup for the better part of three years, Smith became the starting inside linebacker in 2013 and dominated like few before him. He accounted for 90 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, and three interceptions with two being returned for scores en route to a second team All-ACC selection. Smith was and still is an enforcer on the field that will always find his way to the ball. He has great instincts and those who watched him knew that he was going to be a steal past the third round.
Telvin has since been lauded as one of the most impressive rookies of the 2014 NFL season. Smith had the second most tackles for the Jaguars with 104 in 2014 — good for third most amongst NFL rookies — and impressed the Jacksonville coaches with his development throughout the season. As mentioned above, this success was not particularly shocking to those who had watched him closely at FSU. Smith is now a well-known name for many Jaguars’ fans and looks to improve on a great rookie season.
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