Florida State University Athletics
Depth Chart Dive-In
8/30/2018 11:23:15 AM | Football
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – It’s not quite Christmas, but for college football fans, the release of a new depth chart might qualify as a minor holiday.
Florida State on Wednesday put out a projected depth chart in advance of Monday’s opener against Virginia Tech, and while much of it won’t raise any eyebrows, there are still plenty of new faces and a few surprises. Let’s break it down.
Quarterback
12 Deondre Francois, R-Jr.
1 James Blackman, So., or 10 Bailey Hockman, R-Fr.
Coach says: “(Francois) has handled it well. He blows my phone up, wanting to watch some film, or (wanting to talk about) how we’re going to attack Virginia Tech. (He’s) spending time with his teammates all the time, flying around. This training camp is the most excitement I’ve seen from him.” – Willie Taggart on Deondre Francois
Tim says: Taggart took the suspense out of this one when he announced Francois as the starter on Monday. One thing to keep an eye on: Blackman is FSU’s one scholarship quarterback still eligible for a redshirt year. And while it’s way, way, way too soon to be thinking beyond this season, it will be interesting to see which of Blackman or Hockman is the first reserve quarterback off the bench. If Taggart needs a quarterback to give the Seminoles a spark, the more-experienced Blackman is the likely choice. However, if it’s for late-game mop-up duty, Hockman could get the nod.
Running back
3 Cam Akers, So.
9 Jacques Patrick, Sr.
4 Khalan Laborn, R-Fr.
22 Amir Rasul, So.
24 Anthony Grant, Fr.
Coach says: “We’re going to play them. How we’re going to play them – you’re going to see that on Monday night.” – Willie Taggart
Tim says: Florida State’s embarrassment of riches at this position is well documented, but seeing it laid out like this really drives it home. It might be a mild surprise that Akers is listed as the sole starter, but that likely doesn’t matter much. All of these guys are going to play. (Although don’t be surprised if Grant stays under the four-game threshold required to redshirt.) Exactly how Taggart intends to use them will be one of the most intriguing – and potentially most fun – questions of the season.
Wide receiver
89 Keith Gavin, Jr.
18 Warren Thompson, Fr.
Wide receiver
8 Nyqwan Murray, Sr., or 29 D.J. Matthews, So., or 20 Keyshawn Helton, Fr.
Wide receiver
27 Ontaria Wilson, R-Fr., or 88 Tre’Shaun Harrison, Fr., or 15 Tamorrion Terry, R-Fr.
Coach says: “They all can contribute and they all will contribute. How? A lot of different ways for us.” — Willie Taggart
Tim says: Remember last year, when it seemed like Florida State was starved for receiver depth? Feels like a long time ago, but that’s what signing five receivers in one class can do. Still, while this group has plenty of promise and talent, much of it is unproven. Murray is the closest to a sure thing of the bunch, although Gavin has been very impressive in recent weeks and Terry was one of the breakout stars of the spring. Like the running backs, expect everyone on this list (and even some that aren’t) to contribute this season. In fact, who “starts” might be determined simply by which play Taggart calls first.
Tight end
6 Tre McKitty, So.
32 Gabe Nabers, Jr.
26 Johnathan Vickers, R-Sr.
82 Naseir Upshur, Jr.
Coach says: “It’s one of those positions, you can utilize them in a lot of different places, and we’ll try to. You’ll see our tight ends in the backfield. You’ll see them attached to the line. You’ll see them split out wide. Tight ends are very critical to our offense and what we like to do.” – Willie Taggart
Tim says: McKitty is a no-doubter at the top of this list. He could be in line for a huge year. Beyond that, it seems that Nabers and Vickers must have done well in their transitions from fullbacks to tight ends. And it will be interesting to see what role Upshur plays. He’s the most experienced Seminole at the position and seemed to be having a good camp.
Left tackle
73 Jauan Williams, R-So.
75 Abdul Bello, R-Jr.
Left guard
74 Derrick Kelly II, R-Sr.
76 Arthur Williams, R-Sr.
Center
54 Alec Eberle, R-Sr.
51 Baveon Johnson, R-So.
Right guard
72 Mike Arnold, R-So., or 70 Cole Minshew, R-Jr.
Right tackle
69Landon Dickerson, R-So.
59 Brady Scott, R-Fr.
Coach says: “It’s just fun, because you see those guys enjoy being with each other and taking pride in what they’re doing. You’re seeing consistent play out of those guys, and they are starting to get a little synergy playing together. And that’s what we need up front.” – Willie Taggart
Tim says: This group has more or less been set since Day 1. Having Arnold listed as a co-starter is a surprise, but that likely has to do with Minshew’s availability for the Virginia Tech game. If he can go, he’ll start. Also, with this group more than any other, there’s a possibility that coach Greg Frey moves pieces around, rather than works from a straight depth chart, if someone gets injured. Kelly, for example, can play virtually any position on the line, while Dickerson has two years of experience as a guard.
Defensive end
99 Brian Burns, Jr.
13 Joshua Kaindoh, So.
Defensive end
94 Walvenski Aime, R-Sr.
11 Janarius Robinson, R-So.
Coach says: “We are more getting off the ball now, whereas last year there was more sit-and-read type deal. But I think they are enjoying it. The way we play defense, we allow those guys to blow and go. I think it fits their personalities, too.” – defensive ends coach Mark Snyder
Tim says: It’s good to see Kaindoh on this list, and to hear Taggart say that he’s going to play Monday. Although the four ends are divided up into separate positions, they could be employed in a variety of ways this fall. The speedy Burns and powerful Aime make a good tandem, but one imagines that defensive ends coach Mark Snyder will be tempted to pair Burns and Kaindoh from time to time.
Defensive tackle
90 Demarcus Christmas, R-Sr.
16 Cory Durden, R-Fr.
Nose guard
55 Fredrick Jones, R-Sr.
21 Marvin Wilson, So.
Coach says: “(Wilson) rehabbed as if he was going to prepare for a game. And I think by doing that, he put himself in a position to be able to play here for this first game for us, and it was really good to see him out at practice. … I’ve been really impressed with him. Again, he put his head down and just got to work and didn’t complain about anything. Just wanted to make sure he’s in position to help his teammates out.” – Willie Taggart on Marvin Wilson
Tim says: Two fifth-year seniors, an extremely promising sophomore and an emerging redshirt freshman. There’s a lot to like with this group, and it starts with Christmas, the 6-4, 304-pounder who put the NFL on hold for one more season at FSU. Jones, meanwhile, has quietly turned into a really nice player, and having a healthy Wilson in the fold might be one of the most important developments of FSU’s early season. Finally, don’t sleep on Durden. At 6-5, 290 pounds, he looks the part of an FSU defensive tackle, and he’s earned steady praise from his position coach, Odell Haggins, throughout fall camp. That’s no small feat.
‘Sam’ linebacker
28 DeCalon Brooks, R-Fr., or 22 Adonis Thomas, R-Jr.
56 Emmett Rice, Jr.
‘Mike’ linebacker
5 Dontavious Jackson, Jr.
35 Leonard Warner III, So.
‘Star’ linebacker
20 Jaiden Woodbey, Fr.
10 Calvin Brewton, Sr.
Coach says: “Jaiden’s been everything that we thought he would be from the time we recruited him. I remember the first time meeting the young man and talking to him, he spoke about how passionate he was about Florida State and how passionate his brother was about Florida State. He’s shown that ever since.
“Usually when a kid comes that far away from home (Woodbey is from California), you get homesick and you have a lot of issues. We haven’t had any issues with Jaiden when it comes to that. He’s fit in perfectly with our guys, and not just his teammates, but I see him hanging out with other athletes on campus. And that’s great.”
Tim says: Let’s start with the obvious – in just nine months on campus, Woodbey has secured a starting job and is set to become the first FSU true freshman to start an opener since Jalen Ramsey in 2013. That’s pretty good company. Jackson was always a sure thing in the middle, with his health in fall camp the only question. And while it’s no surprise to see Brooks in the starting lineup – he’s been a staff favorite since the spring – it is a bit unexpected to see him at the strong-side (“Sam”) spot after spending most of camp working at the “Star,” which is a linebacker/safety hybrid.
Cornerback
1 Levonta Taylor, Jr.
26 Asante Samuel Jr., Fr.
Free safety
8 Stanford Samuels III, So., or 23 Hamsah Nasirildeen, So.
Strong safety
19 A.J. Westbrook, Sr.
24 Cyrus Fagan, So.
Cornerback
14 Kyle Meyers, Jr.
29 Isaiah Bolden, Fr.
Coach says: “(Taylor) is a great DB, one of the best in the country. Great young man, as well. He brings a lot to our team, not only on the football field, but off the football field.” – Willie Taggart on Levonta Taylor
Tim says: Florida State’s present and future are both on display. Taylor of course anchors the group, while veterans Westbrook and Meyers both deserve credit for holding off hard-charging underclassmen. Samuel has had a very impressive camp, while Bolden seems to have edged in front of fellow freshman A.J. Lytton at the other spot. Lytton is a good bet to factor in at some point this fall.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Placekicker
23 Ricky Aguayo, Jr.
21 Logan Tyler, Jr.
Holder
21 Tyler
30 Tommy Martin, R-Fr.
Long-snapper
40 Ken Burnham, R-Sr.
44 Grant Glennon, R-Fr.
Kick-off specialist
21 Tyler
23 Aguayo
Punter
21 Tyler
30 Martin
Punt returner
29 D.J. Matthews, So.
20 Keyshawn Helton, Fr., or 8 Nyqwan Murray, Sr.
Kick returner
22 Amir Rasul, Jr.
24 Anthony Grant, Fr.
Kick returner
89 Keith Gavin, Jr.
4 Khalan Laborn, R-Fr.
Coach says: “(Matthews) can stop on a dime. And people talk about going to zero to 60 real quick, he’s one of the guys that can do that. You give him his space and he can make a guy miss and go, and you need guys like that when catching the ball and a guy that you can … When it comes to returning, you want a guy that’s reliable, that’s going to catch the football. And he takes pride in catching that ball back there.” – Willie Taggart on D.J. Matthews
Tim says: Plenty of familiar faces here, although there is one note in the kicking game as Aguayo says he’ll be handling all field goals this year. (Tyler previously attempted long-range kicks.) Tyler is also taking over holding duties for the first time this year.
Matthews emerged as FSU’s punt returner late last season and seems set to reprise that role, although look for Helton to get a crack at it. He’s been one of the surprise stars of camp, and if the staff is looking for a way to get him involved, this could be a good solution.
That could hold true at the kick returner spots, too. Rasul and Laborn are both fast and talented, and Taggart loves what he’s seen from Grant. But with Akers and Patrick topping the running back depth chart, carries could be hard to come by. Having those backs return kicks gives them a chance to show what they can do.