Offense taking shape around Patrick, Campbell

TALLAHASSEE — For the first time in three seasons, Jimbo Fisher will not begin the preseason in search for a starting quarterback. Deondre Francois, an Orlando Olympia High product, is the undisputed leader of Florida State’s offense as he enters his second season as the starter.

But before the Seminoles square off against Alabama in Atlanta to open the season on Sept. 2, Fisher is faced with the distinct task of replacing the school’s alltime leading rusher.

While many believe FSU could employ a runningback-by-committee approach to replace Minnesota Vikings rookie Dalvin Cook, a former Orlando Timber Creek High standout received the first crack at locking down FSU’s starting running back position during the Seminoles’ first practice of the preseason Tuesday.

“Jacques Patrick is our starting back,” Fisher said succinctly. “He’s earned that right. If he plays the best, he’ll play. And he’ll compete with the other guys.”

As the Seminoles began fall camp, most of the firstteam offensive positions seem to be set, but not in stone.

Fisher is adamant his players will compete for playing time this season even though the Seminoles return nearly 20 starters from a team that finished 10-3 and ended the 2016 season with a thrilling Orange Bowl victory over Michigan in Miami Gardens.

Without Cook, who rushed for 4,464 yards with 46 rushing touchdowns in three seasons, Patrick is expected to lead a deep, talented group of running backs in FSU’s backfield.

Two players who could give Patrick the most competition are five-star freshman newcomer Cam Akers, the highest-rated offensive recruit the Seminoles have signed, and four-star speedster Amir Rasul, who Fisher jokingly said runs about “700 miles per hour.”

As for FSU’s other offensive positions, the receiving group welcomed back George Campbell. The former five-star prospect from Clearwater participated in practice Tuesday.

Campbell enters his third season with the Seminoles hoping to make an impact after sparingly appearing in 11 games as a true freshman in 2015 and missing all of last season due to a core muscle injury.

“He’s getting healthy,” Fisher said of Campbell. “What we’ve seen is a guy that is driven, has gotten healthy, and wants to get back in position to play.”

Campbell’s return bodes well for FSU’s relatively slim receiving group that features juniors Auden Tate, who scored six touchdowns last season, and Orlando native Nyqwan Murray, who had five touchdowns including two in the Orange Bowl.

Fisher also named senior Rick Leonard as starting left tackle, pairing him on the offensive line with left guard Landon Dickerson, center Alec Eberle, right guard Cole Minshew and Derrick Kelly at right tackle during the first practice.

PHELAN M. EBENHACK/AP With the loss of all-time leading rusher Dalvin Cook, FSU will turn to former Timber Creek standout Jacques Patrick, who’s served in primarily a back-up role.