’Noles say Blackman has ‘it’ factor

TALLAHASSEE — After Florida State’s loss to Alabama to open the season, offensive lineman bestowed some high praise on true freshman QB

the Seminoles’ new starter. With out for the season after suffering a torn patellar tendon in the fourth quarter of the opener, the Seminoles will turn to Blackman, a former three-star prospect from Belle Glade Glades Central High, to fuel the offense.

“From the moment he stepped on campus, he’s a special kid. There’s just something about him,” Eberle said of Blackman. “In football, there’s sometimes people that have the ‘it’ factor. He’s got it; whatever it is, he has it.”

FSU coach got the sense of what Eberle tried to convey, adding Blackman’s poise and command in the huddle contribute to Blackman’s “it.”

Fisher said Blackman has one key tool he looks for every time he evaluates a quarterback: presence.

“I don’t mean it as arrogance — they just have presence,” Fisher explained. “When they talk, there’s a natural command and things to what they do and how they carry themselves. And I think James does that.”

Blackman will be the first-team quarterback for the Seminoles, who will host Louisiana-Monroe Saturday.

“I have full faith in him,” Eberle said. “He can throw the heck out of the football; he makes good calls. He’s a smart guy, so I trust him 100 percent.”

No. 3 FSU vs. ULM, Saturday, 7 p.m.,

Blackman, Deondre Francois

WRBW-65

Jimbo Fisher Next game: Alec Eberle James