Francios ready to be leader for FSU

You have to be willing to stay in there and get hit,” Sanders said.

“Seeing him being willing to stand in there and do it over and over and over, and display the toughness he displayed, was really a pleasant surprise.”

Francois goes into the season as the offense’s leader. After having an experienced group at the skill positions, which made Francois’ adjustment easier, the Seminoles had running back Dalvin Cook and their three most experienced receivers (Travis Rudolph, Kermit Whitfield, Jesus “Bobo” Wilson) either leave early or graduate.

Receivers Auden Tate and Murray began to emerge toward the end of last season and Jacques Patrick is ready to take over as the lead running back after being Cook’s backup the past two seasons.

Francois also has long friendships with Murray and Patrick, having played youth football against them while growing up in Orlando.

Francois and the Seminoles will be tested out of the gate as they open against Alabama on Sept. 2 in Atlanta. Francois is hoping to have as successful an opener as he had last year when he threw for 419 yards and three touchdowns in a 45-34 win over Ole Miss.

“You have to get your juices flowing because it’s Alabama. They’ve been a tremendous program for a really long time,” Francois said.

“But at the end of the day, they’re just like us. They’re guys that are working hard. I know they’re over there preparing for us, and we’re doing the same.”

JOHN RAOUX — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Florida State quarterback Deondre Francois led FBS freshmen quarterbacks in passing yards last year and led Florida State to a 10-3 record despite being constantly under pressure in the pocket. Francois is firmly in control of the Seminoles’ offense...