2005 Statistics

Quarterback
No QB controversy exists, for now. Yes, two top-flight signal callers are still on the roster with Drew Weatherford and Xavier Lee (2004 starter Wyatt Sexton has given up football). But Weatherford, coming off a season where he passed for more yards than any freshman QB in ACC history, has taken the reigns. After being named a first-team Freshman all-American (FWAA), Weatherford continues to improve by leaps and bounds with every “passing” day. Through two weeks of spring ball, he had purportedly thrown just one incomplete pass. His confidence, timing and knowledge of the system have been nothing short of amazing. With his backup Xavier Lee sitting out spring following off-season shoulder surgery, the job is his. In fact, Weatherford could easily be the best thing to happen for Bobby Bowden when looking at the QB situation the past five seasons. If coaches need to call on Lee (a former Mr. Florida football), they will get a guy with extreme talent(s), but he hasn't quite adapted to the position since he has not logged the same real-game experience behind center. Look for Weatherford to go nuclear this season given his progress. In other words, Drew may be the best signal caller in the ACC.

Running Back
The Seminoles dismissed the run completely last fall (109th nationally) and paid the price. An extreme priority has been placed on revamping this facet, enough such that coaches convinced Lorenzo Booker to return for his senior season after promising to make the necessary changes. In his fourth year of sharing the starts, Booker has to be more than another receiver out of the backfield. But when it comes to pounding the ball between the tackles, the answer will come from Antone Smith (yet another former Mr. Florida Football). Aside from the QB Weatherford, Smith has shown the most improvement/promise of any one player on this team. FSU will still be hard pressed to find a 1000-yard rusher once again with so much depth in the backfield splitting the carries. Nothing seems to have changed in this approach, and it has to do with FSU signing so many top rated RBs. Maybe a nice problem to have, but it has been a problem more in terms of finding that one guy who can be counted on. So much talent resides here that anything short of a semi-dominating rushing attack has to fall on the coaches’ shoulders. The FB position has been wiped clean with departures. They need a blocking back, pure and simple, which may have to be provided by an incoming freshman or a guy (Joe Surratt) who has yet to garner more than two rushing attempts.

Receiver
Finding skill positions in the Sunshine State has never been an issue. Ergo, FSU is blessed with a plethora of veterans combined with a newfound youth movement. This is important in terms of what FSU does when they have the football should coaches (continue to) attempt over 500 passes. The player getting all of the publicity seems to be 6-6 Greg Carr, the only offensive Nole to receive all-Conference honors last fall, and it was just his first season. FSU loves the deep/jump ball and Carr does it better than anyone nationwide with his leaping ability. But when searching for the main target, that honor likely falls on senior Chris Davis. He'll be the leader; the player that likely stands out in this scheme for reception totals. His glory may go unsung, but his athletic ability, experience and pass catching skills are the best of the group. The promise of the freshman receivers from a year ago took a hit when Fred Rouse (nation's top-rated prep WR) was dismissed from the team. De’Cody Fagg, a major part of the rotation, will be the guy counted on instead. He is not as athletic as Rouse, but seems to have a knack for getting open. Speaking of that youth, three freshmen from a year ago will find their way into this mix (Kenny O'Neal, Richard Goodman, Rod Owens). One of them will take his play to the next level and becomes an eventual staple in the rotation. If two/all of them do, it just helps the team that much more.

Tight End
With the TE position being revolutionized at both the college and pro level, FSU fails to recognize this trend. For example, although top recruiting classes continue to churn, the Noles are still left with absolutely no one here on their depth chart. Sleeper Charlie Graham will attempt to give the team some reps at the position as a frosh, but the high hopes are that incoming first-year guy Brandon Warren (rated nation's No.1 prep TE by ESPN recruiting) can start immediately. Given the inexperience here and the devotion to developing a running game, apparently the offense will continue to suffer from the ignorance of what a TE can truly accomplish.

Offensive Line
The key to how far FSU travels starts here. With the above-stated priority of fixing the running game already in place, the task simply won’t be accomplished with the same dismal 2005 effort from this unit. Injuries crushed this (already questionable) group last year, and such plagues the new campaign, too. Each position has a player that has garnered starts at some point of their career. But coaches have failed to address improvements here via recruiting. Only five healthy scholarship players are available this spring. The two tackle spots still have some serious questions. Mario Henderson seems to be getting better, but all-American JUCO-transfer Shannon Boatman (already enrolled) is going to make a push for starting duties at one of the spots. If he lives up to the hype, this would be a huge bonus. The most watched position may be at center as John Frady continues to be hampered by injuries. Dumaka Atkins can take over, and this would allow Frady to slide over for more support at guard, where he seems better suited. In short, not one of these players stands out as a certified top caliber blocker. OL coach Mark McHale will pray this unit stays healthy or it will be just another case of a one-dimensional passing offense. Ugh!

OFFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
Run the dad-gum ball! The Seminoles must develop some/any form of a rushing attack or else opposing defenses will continue drop seven cover men while stopping the run with only four/five men. Such would not produce more than eight victories. Weatherford looks to be a star either way, but his individual accomplishments won’t be enough to get them over such humps. In any other system, any one of the four TBs FSU possesses could flourish, so the talent is there, just seemingly being wasted until this notion is proven wrong. The progress and health of the OL is the team’s measuring stick, period. All the skill position players in the world, which FSU seems to maintain, cannot make up the difference if the big men cannot open holes and protect their passer.

Defensive Line
Some holes need to be filled due to senior departures, but do not be fooled into thinking this group isn't ready for the limelight. Experience may not be as prevalent, but tough, qualified bodies are plentiful. The first-team assurances afforded when fielding DEs Burston and Boston have been affected by the injury bug, but this has given others - such as freshman Everette Brown - a chance to shine. Brown is going to be one of the nice surprises for FSU this year with his tenacity. Before signing with FSU, Aaron Jones was everybody's prep all-American. He has failed to live up to the billing, as fans and coaches have questioned his drive. Apparently he has finally found such and is expected to make a considerable contribution, which could not have come any sooner with the departure of NG Broderick Bunkley. One of the handfuls of surprises this spring was the announcement of Kendrick Stewart as the starting NG. Throw highly regarded Emmanuel Dunbar into the list and it's easy to see how deep this group goes. The anchor is DT Andre Fluellen, who will push for post-season award honors. Watch out for this assembly of raw talent - the expectations should not be quite as high as usual, but that will only help them to produce needed results.

Linebacker
This unit is unparalleled for how many top-rated players the Noles have from which to pick. The first misconception would be to assume that because a few are gone (NFL) that they must reload. In actuality, many players on the current roster have logged extensive playing time without the unit missing a beat. One of those players is Lawrence Timmons, the team's returning sack leader. LB coach Kevin Steele expects a brilliant season from this prototypical bruiser. Buster Davis is back and will be the anchor/leader/tackling machine needed for the entire defense to revolve around and rely upon. He surely will get looks for post-season all-American consideration. How Steele is able to attract these kids in abundance has been nothing short of amazing – but he produces results, and who wouldn’t want his tutelage with such a reputation. Given the fact many of these players are athletic, fast and strong enough to lineup at any LB position affords the defense the luxury of being as capable as any that Bobby Bowden fielded in the last 30 years.

Defensive Back
There's a new sheriff in town and his name is Myron Rolle. The Princeton, N.J.-native was ESPN's No. 1 rated prep recruit at any position, and he was smart enough to have enrolled in January so as to be part of spring ball. Through the early spring he has proved to be as good as advertised. He was named as the top January newcomer by the strength and conditioning coach and can already be seen covering every corner of the field. The timing could not have been better as the safety position is/was a major concern with the graduations of Pat Watkins and Kyler Hall, the transfer of Clarence Ward, the academic problems of Kenny Ingram, and (finally) the injury to FS Roger Williams. Both starting corners, Carter and Bryant, are being held out of contact drills this spring following off-season shoulder surgeries which opens the door for Jamie Robinson, another four-star recruit and workaholic gaining praise with each practice. CB Michael Ray Garvin, even another prep all-American, will join the fold as he concentrates on both track and football. Because of his lack of height (5'9), most felt he would not be able to effectively cover taller receivers, but he has proven quite the opposite, mostly due to his tremendous (runs the 40 in 4.3 sec) speed. In short, the corner position is deep, but the safety position is one injury away from forcing some roster moves. Although just a first time freshman, the health of Rolle cannot be overemphasized.

DEFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
After a short-term drop off in the new millennium under long time Coach Mickey Andrews, the defense is back with a vengeance. This may be one of the most underrated defenses, but they proved already (via 2005’s 14th-rated total effort) that they can keep the Noles in a game when the offense struggles. Andrews’ bunch allowed foes to score more and more as the season went on, and FSU lost four of the last five. Still, holding potent Virginia Tech and Penn State under 30 (22 and 26, respectively) to end the campaign allows us to think that this trend was an aberration which won’t continue. Why? Talent-wise, (outside of safety) most positions have three to four reserves that could presently start at most Top 50 schools. Recruiting has been as good as ever despite the recent downward spiral of the program, and the defense is reaping the most rewards. If FSU is to repeat as conference champions, once again the defense will be the reason.