QB race a tight fight

Taggart impressed by all 3 hopefuls, but has not decided yet

FSU coach Willie Taggart still isn’t ready to name a starting quarterback, calling it a tight three-man race following the Seminoles’ latest scrimmage.

Returning backup James Blackman, Wisconsin transfer Alex Hornibrook and Louisville transfer Jordan Travis are fighting for the right to lead the offense against Boise State on Aug. 31.

“It’s been really close,” Taggart said during media day Sunday. “I’ve been impressed with all three guys, just the competition going back and forth, and they all have gotten reps with the ones and the twos.

“And like I said last week, seeing those guys being able to execute the offense, whether they’re in there with the ones or the twos was really impressive to me, and all three guys were able to do that, and just watching the scrimmage yesterday, again, I was impressed with those guys, especially taking care of the football, and then just running the offense.”

Taggart later discussed the development of the freshman class and said fans shouldn’t be surprised if a lot of them play this season.

“I can’t necessarily say absolutely will not redshirt, but I can see a lot of those guys playing. You’re kind of putting me on the spot. I can name a few, and if I don’t name one, I get in trouble,” he said with a laugh. “… I can see a guy like Travis Jay, Akeem Dent, Brendan Gant. You think about the secondary, [Jarvis] Brownlee, [Renardo] Green, all those guys are pretty good. [Raymond] Woodie III, he’s — they’re pretty talented.

“You go out to the scrimmage, and you’re like, ‘Wow, some of these kids just came out of high school and they’re very competitive.’ … Kevon Glenn has been very, very impressive at linebacker.”

Taggart went on to mention Kalen DeLoach, Quashon Fuller, Dontae Lucas, Maurice Smith and Ira Henry before adding “I named

a few for you. Fellas, if I didn’t name you, I still love you and I’m going to get you, I promise.”

The second-year head coach also gave a update on Marvin Wilson and Tamorrion Terry, who he expects to be ready come Aug. 31 after recovering from injuries.

“Yeah, those guys will be ready. We’re getting there.,” Taggart said. “I think you’ll probably see a little more out of both of them this upcoming week. They both are rehabbing really well. Terry ran two days ago and was impressed, and I know they’re eager to get back out there and get going. I’m sure they’ll be back soon.”

With a year under his belt and the baggage of last season behind him, Taggart said his comfort level has increased and feels good about how his coaching staff is executing so far and the overall direction the team is heading.

“I think the focus out of everyone and the effort out of everyone. I mean, it’s consistently — we’re getting it daily out of our guys and our staff, and that’s been impressive, but that’s how it should be in year two,” he said.

During their time at IMG Academy this past week, the Seminoles faced adverse weather and there were numerous changes to the practice schedule. Taggart said he considers the obstacles blessings in disguise because it tested his team’s mettle and forced it to respond.

“Our players want to practice. We haven’t had a practice where we didn’t want to practice,” Taggart said. “I thought IMG was great for our guys because we had a lot of sudden change because of the weather and they could have easily just said, ‘No, I don’t want to do it,’ or just didn’t feel like going back out there, but our guys came out focused and those practices were some of our best practices. And I was impressed with, again, just how they responded to that, but just their love for wanting to be out there to get better now, and that’s part of it.”