QB battle excites Taggart
Coach will give each chance to win job
TALLAHASSEE — Florida State’s second practice of the preseason began Tuesday with a new quarterback taking the first-team reps.
Redshirt junior Deondre Francois was first up, with redshirt freshman Bailey Hockman going second and sophomore James Blackman going last among the quarterbacks.
It’s important to note: Hockman’s turn is with secondteam players, with the firstteam players alternating with Francois and Blackman. During Monday’s first practice, Blackman went first.
New coach Willie Taggart suggests no one should read too much into the order.
“They’re all going to take reps with the first team. I think it’s fair they all take reps with the first team,” Taggart said before Tuesday’s practice.
“And we’ll see how they perform with the first team and the second team. I think that’s critical, too, to see who can
make the second team go, too. I think that speaks volumes to the type of player that’s at the quarterback position. … I think that’s important we keep them fair, allow them to compete, and allow them to separate themselves.”
During Tuesday’s practice, Francois was the sharpest of the quarterbacks for the second consecutive day.
But there was one instance during 11-on-11s that illustrated the growth Blackman has shown from his first to second year.
After defensive end Brian Burns sacked Hockman, Burns began to jeer Hockman only to be met by Blackman defending his fellow quarterback. Blackman and Burns met helmet to helmet, lightheartedly and competitively exchanging words after the play.
Seeing two leaders of their respective sides of the football competing in such
a manner shows the level of camaraderie the Seminoles have forged under Taggart’s leadership.
Overall, Taggart was pleased when he quickly recapped Monday’s practice.
“Luckily, we don’t have to play tomorrow. We have a lot of work to do,” Taggart said.
“But I could tell our guys put in a lot of work this spring. We did not have a lot of do-overs as you typically have when guys are learning things. It was good to see them fly around and knowing what to do.” Praise for offensive line
Taggart seemed quite pleased with his offensive line, which is trying to find new starters at both tackle positions and has seen guards try to assume those roles.
“Watching our O-line, I thought technique-wise we’re so much better than we were in the spring time,
and that was good to see as well,” Taggart said.
Redshirt sophomore Jauan Williams, who has dealt with shoulder injuries during his career, worked with first team at left tackle. Behind Williams were redshirt junior Abdul Bello and, at times, redshirt senior Corey Martinez.
“I was really, really impressed with Jauan,” Taggart said. “I thought he had an outstanding practice [Monday] and for a guy that hasn’t practiced much in the spring. He really runs around and is really athletic. He had a really good practice [Monday].”
Taggart also lauded junior Landon Dickerson for taking on a new role at right tackle despite playing left guard in his first two seasons with the Seminoles.
“He’s a smart kid. He’s strong, tough and he’s an athletic big guy. So I don’t think it would be as tough as we think more because he’s so smart and understands what everyone is doing,” Taggart said of Dickerson.
“He’s a kid that just loves playing so those guys find a way to make plays and make it right.”
The other players on the first-team offensive line are left guard Derrick Kelly II, center Alec Eberle and right guard Cole Minshew. Injury updates
Sophomore receiver D.J. Matthews, who is expected to play a significant role on offense and in special teams, is dealing with a back injury. Taggart did not give a specific timetable for his return.
“He’s all right,” Taggart said of Matthews. “He has a little back issue. He has to get his back right. But he’ll be back.”
Redshirt freshman Tamorrion Terry suffered a calf strain during Monday’s practice, Taggart said.
Linebackers Emmert Rice and Josh Brown are also recovering from knee injuries, with no specific timetable to return to practice. Friendly fight
There was at least one squabble between teammates during Tuesday’s practice, but one provided a comical moment near the end of the session, with Williams and reserve defensive end Tre Lawson being forced to hold hands off the field to the sideline.