Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
New-look offense seems promising to players
TALLAHASSEE —The Florida State Seminoles are trying to rebuild their offense in order to better execute head coach Willie Taggart’s Gulf Coast style.
The team seems to have adjusted to numerous alterations the past few weeks, with key contributors from the 2018 recruiting class all on board.
Last year, FSU freshman receivers Keyshawn Helton and Tre’Shaun Harrison showed some of what they could do and why fans should be excited. During the course of their freshman seasons, the young playmakers worked on becoming more consistent and making catches at crucial times.
This year, they are learning from a new offensive coordinator, a new wide receivers coach and a new offensive line coach. And they’ll be lining up alongside a new starting quarterback.
But players all seem willing to roll with the punches and build on the offensive momentum from last season.
“[The offensive coordinator and receivers coach] hit up the wide receivers and we all have a group chat, so we’re all getting closer and connecting more with the new coaches, just learning how to cope with them and their coaching style,” Harrison said.
Winning over the locker room is a must for the coaching staff. Several members of the 2018 recruiting class, who have dubbed themselves “Tribe 18,” said the coaches are making quick progress bonding with the players.
Helton said he is excited to play for offensive coordinator Kendal Briles.
“I knew he was one of the best offensive coordinators in the nation,” Helton said of Briles. “He’s a high-energy guy and he’s going to bring swagger to our team. He’s fun to be around and he’s just a great coach.”
Helton added having a former player in FSU receivers coach Ron Dugans on staff will help players’ development as well.
“It’s great to have somebody back here who played here and knows the expectations that everyone holds Florida State to,” Helton said. “He’s a high-energy guy and he expects a lot out of his receivers.”
Camm McDonald has to get acclimated to new personnel as well as a new position.
McDonald is in a unique situation. He’s listed as a tight end, but he said he’s 15 pounds heavier than the heaviest wide receivers on the team and about 10 pounds lighter than the heaviest tight end. His frame gives him a bit of versatility and allows him to be used as a wide receiver, and he said he trusts Briles to put him in the best possible position to succeed.
“I’m going to do whatever the coaches ask me,” McDonald said. “I’m not going to be one of those players that goes to the office and demand that I get the ball more. I’m going to go with the flow.
[Briles] has a long track record. He had two tight ends at Florida Atlantic that led the team in receiving. His offense is definitely geared to the tight ends being productive and being downfield threats . ... So I’m excited to play in Coach Briles’ offense.”
As confident as the players are in the coaching staff, they are equally confident in whoever will be under center this year, be it James Blackman, walk-on Nolan McDonald or a transfer who has yet to join the team.
Blackman is expected to earn the starting job after stepping up when former starter Deondre Francois was sidelined last season. Blackman’s work ethic and leadership already have won over his teammates, according to Harrison.
“He pushes everyone,” Harrison said. “He’s a vocal leader; he doesn’t just sit back and try to lead. He also expressed the way he feels, expressed what you need to do, and he just pushes you to be the best you can be.
“I respect him as a player and a person. Even though he wasn’t playing as much, he still kept the guys on the sideline into the game. He still encouraged Deondre and was still working in practice, competing against him to ultimately get the spot.”
The receivers feel that if McDonald is called on, he will be able to deliver as well. His brother, Camm McDonald, was especially vocal in his support.
“First and foremost, he’s a playmaker,” Camm said. “He’s one of the most dynamic playmakers that I’ve ever played with in my entire career. When the ball is in his hands, he’s liable to tuck it and run and score from any position on the field.
“He can throw the ball to any position on the field. He can place the ball on the dot 15 yards down the middle of the field or 60 yards down the field to the perimeter. I feel he’s a complete quarterback.
“But he doesn’t have an issue waiting his turn either, and he knows that it’s James Blackman’s time now. I feel he’s got a lot to give NoleNation.”