Florida State Football 2014 Spring Wrap Up

Strengths & question marks coming out of spring

Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher was mostly pleased with this spring. He saw young talent develop, especially at running back, receiver, defensive line and linebacker.

The Seminoles lose 10 starters (five apiece on offense and defense), so there are questions about who will fill starting roles. But the feeling is that FSU’s last few top-10 signing classes have made the roster deep, so there are plenty of options.

The biggest concern remains the inconsistency of punter Cason Beatty, who had an 18-yard punt and later had a 33-yard punt in the spring game. Punts like that clearly overshadowed two very good punts (a 46-yarder and 51-yarder). But, really, punting isn’t a huge worry when the offense is led by Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston.

Name a few breakout players to keep an eye on in 2014

Karlos Williams will start at tailback, and the senior could be poised for a 1,000-yard season after moving from safety just a week into the 2013 season. The backfield is deep with Williams, Mario Pender, Ryan Green and Dalvin Cook.

Jesus Wilson had the best spring of the sophomore receivers, a group that includes 6-4 Isaiah Wilson and Levonte Whitfield (who had the 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the BCS championship game).

On defense, a large group of young linebackers have emerged, including Matthew Thomas, E.J. Levenberry, Ukeme Eligwe and Ro’Derrick Hoskins.

Grade each position group

QB — B+   Winston was at times tired because of his football and baseball schedule. But he built a strong relationship with the young receivers. And backups Sean Maguire and John Franklin showed improvement.

RB — B+   Every tailback was injured by the end of spring. But they all showed what kind of impact they could have in the fall.

WR — B   The offense will still be electric, but FSU will have to find out which receivers can replace Kelvin Benjamin and Kenny Shaw.

OL — A-   With four starters back, there are few concerns about the line. The ACC’s top lineman, Cameron Erving, returns to protect Winston’s blind side. Austin Barron has five career starts and should eventually nail down the center job.

DL — B   Losing Timmy Jernigan to the NFL hurts, but Fisher is happy with the continued development of Eddie Goldman and Mario Edwards. This group won’t be as good as in 2013 but not bad either.

LB — B   FSU will have two new starters next to Terrance Smith. The unit isn’t experienced but they are talented, so it’s hard to tell if Thomas, Levenberry, Eligwe or Hoskins will start. But they’ll all play.

DB — A   Lose an All-American like Lamarcus Joyner and an All-ACC safety like Terrence Brooks and most teams rebuild. This is the deepest segment on the roster. FSU has the ACC’s top two corners in Ronald Darby and P.J. Williams, and Jalen Ramsey could be a star.

Special — B-   Roberto Aguayo was the Groza winner as the nation’s top kicker as a freshman and he’s continued to impress. Beatty must improve or Fisher will look for other options, like walk-on Jonathan Hernandez or signee J.J. Cosentino (a quarterback who Fisher also likes as a punter).

What can we expect from Florida State in 2014? 

Many fans will expect a repeat as national champions, but it’s clearly a challenge. The 2014 schedule will include home games against Notre Dame, Clemson and Florida as well as a road date with Miami and the season opener against Oklahoma State at Arlington, Texas.

FSU should comfortably win the ACC’s Atlantic Division and hit 10 wins, but the Seminoles must avoid a trip-up on Oct. 18 against Notre Dame and then will face Miami and Florida in November. Both the Hurricanes and Gators struggled in 2013. But Miami will have TB Duke Johnson back, and Florida figures to be more dynamic on offense with new coordinator Chad Roper.

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Bob Ferrante of The Palm Beach Post provided the information for our Florida State Football 2014 Spring Wrap Up. For more Seminole  football information, commentary and analysis, you can follow Bob on Twitter @bobferrante.

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