Rebuilding ’Noles eager to rebound under Taggart
New coach Willie Taggart has reenergized the Florida State football program, winning over school administrators, current and former players and the school’s fan base.
Now the Seminoles are primed to show their disappointing 2017 season was just a fluke.
Taggart has installed a fast-paced offense and an aggressive defensive attack.
“I think everything about last year shocked me when it came to Florida State. But that’s football and that’s life and that’s behind us now,” Taggart said. “… I’m looking forward to our guys changing that narrative.”
The Seminoles are No. 29 in Orlando Sentinel college insider Matt Murschel’s preseason 2018 college football rankings. Murschel ranked all 129 Football Bowl Subdivision teams in the country. The Sentinel staff takes a closer look at a new team daily, counting backward from No. 129 to our projected No. 1 team.
Today at No. 29:
State
Coach: Willie Taggart (0-0, entering first season; 47-50 overall) Florida
2017 record: 7-6 overall, 3-5 in Atlantic Coast Conference; 6th in Atlantic Division
Look back: Florida State began last season as the No. 3-ranked team in the country and faced No. 1 Alabama in a highly anticipated season opener. The game set the tone for one of the worst
2018 Schedule
Sept. 3 Virginia Tech Sept. 8 Samford Sept. 15 at Syracuse Sept. 22 Northern Illinois Sept. 29 at Louisville Oct. 6 at Miami
Oct. 20 Wake Forest Oct. 27 Clemson Nov. 3 at NC State Nov. 10 at Notre Dame Nov. 17 Boston College Nov. 24 Florida
FSU seasons in recent memory. Starting quarterback Deondre Francois suffered a torn patellar tendon in his left knee against the Tide, forcing FSU to start true freshman James Blackman most of the season. The Seminoles got off to a 2-5 start but rebounded to finish 7-6. Jimbo Fisher left to take the head coaching job at Texas A&M before the season finale.
6 returning: 5 7 Offensive 4 starters starters lost: returning: lost:
Key losses: DB Derwin James, WR Auden Tate, TE Ryan Izzo, RT Rick Leonard, OL Josh Ball, TE Mavin Saunders, DE Josh Sweat, DT Derrick Nnadi, DB Tarvarus McFadden, LB Jacob Pugh, LB Ro’Derrick Hoskins, LB Matthew Thomas, DB Ermon Lane, DB Trey Marshall, DB Nate Andrews.
Top returnees: RB Cam Akers, QB Deondre Francois, QB James Blackman, RB Jacques Patrick, C Alec Eberle, OL Derrick Kelly II, OL Cole Minshew, WR Nyqwan Murray, DE Brian Burns, DT Demarcus Christmas, DB Levonta Taylor, DB A.J. Westbrook, DB Stanford Samuels, DB Carlos Becker, DB Kyle Meyers, DB Hamsah Nasirildeen, DB Cyrus Fagan, PK Ricky Aguayo, P/K Logan Tyler.
Strengths: With two quarterbacks with previous starting experience, a loaded group of dynamic running backs and eager receivers and tight ends ready to prove themselves, FSU’s offense could excel in Taggart’s new up-tempo spread scheme.
Cam Akers, who broke FSU’s freshman rushing record with 1,024 yards, will be the featured running back alongside bruiser Jacques Patrick. Senior Nyqwan Murray and junior Keith Gavin lead a talented group of receivers.
Weaknesses: After losing at least 10 players with significant experience and with a new coordinator at the helm, Florida State could take some time to hit its stride on defense.
Outlook: Taggart’s energy has rubbed off on his players, who are eager to make a statement after a disappointing 2017 season.