Blackman beats out transfers at QB
Redshirt sophomore gets the nod over Hornibrook, Travis
TALLAHASSEE – FSU has named James Blackman the Seminoles’ starting quarterback, beating out two transfers for the right to replace Deondre Francois.
The FSU football Twitter account announced the decision Sunday night with a message that read, “QB1 #DoSomething #OneTribe” and a graphic featuring Blackman.
The 6-foot-5 redshirt sophomore entered preseason camp with the confidence of his coaches, the respect of his teammates, a bulked-up frame and determination to earn the right to lead the offense.
FSU offensive coordinator Kendal Briles highlighted Blackman’s evolution during the Seminoles’ recent media day.
Briles noted Blackman took over the offense when he had no experience in 2017, replacing Francois after the starter was hurt during the opener against Alabama. After leading the Seminoles to a bowl win despite coach Jimbo Fisher’s exit to Texas A&M, Blackman lost the starting job to Francois entering the 2018 season and saw few snaps while the Seminoles struggled to a 5-7 finish.
During the offseason, two transfers were brought in to challenge Blackman for the starting job.
“He has been through a lot. He was put in the fire early as a skinny freshman and got beat up. Got beat up,” Briles said of Blackman. “Those things are tough to deal with as an 18-year-old true freshman, let alone a fifth-year senior. Y’all know James. James is an unbelievable kid. Love James. His passion, his competitiveness, his belief in himself. So James is right where he needs to be. He’s hungry and he wants to eat.”
Last year, the Belle Glade native started one game and appeared in four for the Seminoles when called upon due to more Francois injuries.
During his short time under center in 2018, Blackman com
pleted 33 of his 51 passes for 510 yards, five touchdowns and one interception. He earned ACC Player of the Week honors after finishing 29-of-46 passing for 421 yards and four touchdowns against NC State.
In 2017, Blackman got a taste of being the full-time starter while playing 12 games in place of Francois. During that campaign, he completed 173 of his 297 passes for 2,230 yards, 19 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
Blackman’s experience helped him hold off Wisconsin graduate transfer Alex Hornibrook and Louisville transfer Jordan Travis during the preseason battle for FSU starting quarterback job.
Hornibrook, a 6-foot-4 athlete from Pennsylvania, spent the past three seasons at Wisconsin and was 26-6 as a starter. He played in nine games in 2018 and completed 59.5% of his passes for 1,532 yards, 13 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
After a long and arduous process to get multiple waivers to play immediately, Travis will be available for the Seminoles this year.
The 6-foot-2, North Palm Beach native appeared in three games in 2018 against Indiana State, Georgia Tech and Boston College. His best statistical showing during that short span was against Georgia Tech when he completed four of his nine passes for 71 yards and a touchdown.
FSU will kick off the season Saturday against Boise State in Jacksonville.