Florida State University Athletics
Five Takeaways From Willie Taggart’s Boise State Press Conference
8/26/2019 3:17:07 PM | Football
WATCH: Willie Taggart full press conference, August 26
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Willie Taggart walked into a room packed full of reporters, stepped behind his podium and smiled.
“Game week, baby,” Taggart said.
Indeed it is. After three weeks of long, hot practices, Taggart and the Seminoles on Saturday will open their 2019 campaign against Boise State at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville.
Taggart met with the media Monday to preview that game, look back on fall camp and provide some news and notes from across the roster. Here are highlights from that conversation.
Deep dive on QB battle: As announced last night, James Blackman has emerged as Florida State’s starting quarterback and will lead the offensive huddle on Saturday.
However, the race between Blackman and Wisconsin transfer Alex Hornibrook was a close one, and the outcome wasn’t fully decided until Taggart and his staff met on Sunday night.
“We evaluated it the entire training camp from a statistical standpoint,” Taggart said, “but also just getting our guys to play – the entire offense to play consistently – was a big part of it.
“And then, just getting a good feel for who has this football team. And I think James, when it comes to that part of it, James has the football team.”
So all the reasons that Blackman seemed to be the frontrunner as far back as March – his relationships with his teammates, his two-plus years at Florida State and his relentless positivity – helped Taggart and Co. make the final call.
Otherwise, Hornibrook, a fifth-year senior, gave the coaching staff plenty to consider.
“We feel like we have two guys that can go and start a football game for us,” Taggart said. “… Alex is a pro. He’s a vet. Disappointed like any other competitor would be, but he understood our decision.”
Taggart said that he and offensive coordinator Kendal Briles met with each quarterback individually to deliver the news.
Blackman, of course, was “fired up,” but he also wasn’t too surprised, either.
“It’s something he’s been working for,” Taggart said. “And he’s excited about leading this football team. And that’s what we expected out of him.”
Freshmen sprinkled across depth chart: Officially, there’s an “or” before Dontae Lucas’ name on the two-deep – as in veteran Mike Arnold “or” Lucas will be starting at right guard on Saturday.
Taggart, though, confirmed to ESPN Tallahassee’s Jeff Cameron on Monday that Lucas, a freshman from Miami, has earned the No. 1 spot.
Lucas is slated to be the first FSU true freshman to start a season-opener on the offensive line since 2008.
“He’s done a good job throughout training camp of getting better each and every day,” Taggart said. “And he brings the physicality in that position that we want and are looking for.”
Lucas might be the only freshman starting on Saturday, but he likely won’t be the only one to see the field.
Four more freshmen – defensive tackle Tru Thompson, safety Akeem Dent, cornerback Renardo Green and returner Travis Jay – are all listed as the second-stringers at their respective positions.
Taggart said that Green, an Orlando native, is probably the most improved defensive back over the last few weeks, and that Thompson took advantage of a heavier workload after veteran Marvin Wilson sustained a preseason injury.
“They showed us they can compete with the older guys,” Taggart said. “And they worked and earned their way into that position. We didn’t put any limits on them. They earned it.”
Lots of options at receiver/tight end: Speaking of “ors” on the depth chart, an awful lot of them can be found at the Seminoles’ receiver and tight end spots.
In fact, the only clear-cut starter at any of those positions is redshirt sophomore Tamorrion Terry. Otherwise, the likes of D.J. Matthews, Keyshawn Helton, Tre’Shaun Harrison, Keith Gavin and Ontaria Wilson – as well as tight ends Tre’ McKitty, Camren McDonald and Gabe Nabers – are all bunched together.
Which isn’t to say that none of those players have stood out. Or that Taggart and his staff are just indecisive. It simply means that all of them are going to play. A lot.
“We feel good about those guys,” Taggart said. “No matter which one is in there, we don’t have to deviate from our game plan. And it’s great when we can have some depth like that and have some young men that you believe in and know they can go out and execute for you.”
Wilson, Terry and Kaindoh should be available: Asked about his two highest-profile injured players, Taggart smiled and said, “I can tell you this: Marvin’s ready.”
Meaning Marvin Wilson, the junior defensive tackle who tweaked his knee early in fall camp. Taggart said that after watching the way Wilson ran and pursued the ball during last Saturday’s scrimmage, he feels good about Wilson’s recovery.
Things weren’t quite so clear for Terry, who had minor knee surgery before the start of fall camp. But Taggart is still optimistic that FSU’s top receiving threat will be on the field.
“We’re just trying to ease him back into it and not necessarily rushing,” he said. “And we’re going to speed up everything and go full-bore this week, as game week, with Tamorrion.
“But he’s looked good running and cutting and catching the football.”
Taggart also said that edge linebacker Joshua Kaindoh (hamstring) is expected to practice this week and be available for Saturday’s game. Kaindoh, who had three sacks a year ago, has been limited for much of fall camp and is currently listed behind redshirt junior Janarius Robinson on the depth chart.
Taggart talks Boise State: Taggart sees a lot to like about the Boise State football program. Or, this week, a lot to keep FSU’s coaching staff busy.
The Broncos return 14 starters from last year’s 10-3 team, including their entire offensive line.
“I think we all understand Boise and what they’re capable of doing,” Taggart said. “They’re a well-coached football team.”
The Broncos announced over the weekend that freshman Hank Bachmeier would start at quarterback. He’s Boise State’s first first-year signal-caller since the program moved to the bowl subdivision in 1996.
That sounds like good news for the Seminoles, but Taggart said he expects Boise State’s coaches to tailor a game plan to Bachmeier’s strengths.
Broncos coach Bryan Harsin, a BSU alum, is in his fifth year as the program’s head coach. He has a 52-15 record, three conference championships and a victory over Arizona in the 2014 Fiesta Bowl.
Historically, Boise State has made a habit of shaking the college football landscape with victories over such college football heavyweights as Oklahoma, Georgia and Virginia Tech.
“One heck of a football program,” Taggart said. “Coach Harsin has done a great job. He’s a Boise guy, and understands that program inside-out.”