Seminoles
career, while Deonte Sheffield slid over from tailback and Ontaria Wilson moved from defensive back to add depth. Three freshmen to watch: Warren Thompson, Jordan Young and Tre’Shaun Harrison.
Prediction: The influx of true freshmen receivers in the 2018 class, as well as the new redshirt rule that would allow a player to compete in four games without losing a season of eligibility, means this is an ideal opportunity for Taggart to use freshmenif he feels they have a strong enough grasp of the playbook.
Offensive line: The group is really difficult to evaluate, especially given the injury to its top player, guard Landon Dickerson, four games into the 2017 season. Is Alec Eberle the right option at center even though he hasn’t held up well in one-on-one matchups? Is Eberle better with stability next to him at the guard spots,likely with Dickerson on one side and Cole Minshew on the other? Is versatile guard-tackle Derrick Kelly the best fit at left tackle since FSU doesn’t have an established blocker? Is Jajuan Williams able to stay healthy and play right tackle?
Prediction: Coaches need to see what Baveon Johnson can do at center and, similar to the above thoughts on quarterbacks. He should get some game time if he doesn’t beat out Eberle outright for the starting job. FSU will need to develop backups or plans for how to adjust when injuries arise.
Defensive ends: Brian Burns is going to start but then there are questions for how FSU will rotate its ends. Former Olympic Heights star Wally Aime, Joshua Kaindoh and Janarius Robinson all should see playing time. The 6-5 Aime has dropped 25 pounds to 270 as he makes the move from tackle to end for his senior season. FSU also has a redshirt freshman, Tre Lawson, as well as a large group of freshmen, including Malcolm Lamar and Xavier Peters.
Prediction: Who starts at end isn’t as important as finding a four-man rotation. Burns, Kaindoh, Aime and Robinson make sense to start the season, but Taggart will have a chance to evaluate the true freshmen and see who can contribute.
Linebackers: FSU is looking for two, versatile, everydown linebackers in coordinator Harlon Barnett’s 4-2-5 defense. Junior Dontavious Jackson would appear to be one strong candidate, given that he has three starts and 37 tackles in two seasons. Leonard Warner could grab the other spot after impressing in the spring. Josh Brown’s athleticism wasn’t valued by the previous staff but he should get a long look. Adonis Thomas also saw some playing time in 2017 but the new scheme appears to be a better fit for him.
Prediction: Jackson and Warner win starting jobs but Brown and Thomas see more playing time when FSU goes to a 4-3 front. Early enrollee Jaiden Woodbey is going to be tough to beat out at the “star” linebacker spot.