EARLY BIRD 2009 COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW
RELEASED DECEMBER 2008
FLORIDA STATE SEMINOLES
OFFENSE - 9
------RETURNING STARTERS------
DEFENSE - 5
KEY LOSSES
OFFENSE: Antone Smith-TB, Greg Carr-WR, Corey Surrency-WR, Graham Gano-P/K
DEFENSE: Neefy Moffett-DE, Benjamin Lampkin-DE, Paul Griffin-NG, Kenny Ingram-SLB, Derek Nicholson-MLB, Toddrick Verdell-WLB, Tony Carter-CB, Michael Ray Garvin-CB, Darius McClure-FS, Myron Rolle-ROV (Rhodes Scholarship), Everette Brown-DE (NFL)
Offensive Line / Receiver

Despite being the youngest OL in college football, coach Rick Trickett has his bunch beginning to see the light. The OL as the strength of the offense hasn’t been seen in some time, and such will equal better production. Plenty of athleticism and speed exists at the receiver spots.

Secondary

Gone are two safeties and a corner. The remaining DBs have yet to demonstrate they are worthy of full-time assignments. Recruiting needs to fill some holes here quickly.

QB Christian Ponder
 
CB Patrick Robinson
 
* DEPTH CHARTS were only designed as a simplistic gauge for listing players that departed and players that received the most playing experience (consistent starters). NationalChamps.net recognizes the importance of missing personnel data not listed such as redshirts, transfers, injuries, incoming recruits, back ups and alternates. Their coverage will begin with our full 2009 Preseason Preview due out this coming spring.
 
FLORIDA STATE 2009 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
OFFENSE
QB Christian Ponder-Jr D'Vontrey Richardson-Jr
FB Marcus Sims-Sr ..
TB Jermaine Thomas-So ..
WR Jarmon Forston-So ..
WR Preston Parker-Sr Rod Owens-Sr
WR Taiwan Easterling-So Bert Reed-So
TE Caz Piurowski-Sr Ja'Baris Little-So
OT Andrew Datko-So ..
OG Rodney Hudson-Jr ..
C Ryan McMahon-Jr ..
OG David Spurlock-So Will Furlong-So
OT Zebrie Sanders-So Antwane Greenlee-So
K Zach Hobby-Sr ..
 
FLORIDA STATE 2009 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
DEFENSE
DE Kevin McNeil-Sr ..
DT Kendrick Stewart-Sr Justin Mincey-Sr
NG Budd Thacker-Sr Moses McCray-So
DE Markus White-Sr ..
SLB Dekoda Watson-Sr Kendall Smith-Jr
MLB .. ..
WLB Nigel Bradham-So Recardo Wright-Sr
CB .. ..
CB Patrick Robinson-Sr Korey Mangum-Sr
ROV .. ..
FS Jamie Robinson-Sr ..
P Shawn Powell-So ..
QUICK ANALYSIS

12/9/08
Just as Florida State appears ready to turn the corner and get back to winning the ACC they slide a step back. The Seminoles just cannot seem to put the entire package together. The offense was absolutely anemic just two and three seasons ago. A new offensive coaching staff has finally gotten the ball rolling via the ground game despite the fact FSU operates with the youngest offensive line in the country. Maybe their most valuable asset was the acquisition of offensive line coach Rick Trickett. All these linemen are back for the upcoming season and QB Christian Ponder continues to give this offense an added dimension with his feet. Antone Smith departs as the main ball carrier but Jarmon Forston has shown glimpses of being a top-flight back. There is still speed and athleticism at the receiver spots. However, as the offense is making huge strides, the defense now becomes the weak link. The Sunshine State has generally been a reloading ground for athletes in the defensive backfield and that factor will get put to the test, as experience is extremely short here. Gone are two safeties as Myron Rolle has already declared he will move on to fulfilling his Rhodes Scholarship duties and/or his NFL forecast. The overall defensive statistics appear impressive but what hurt FSU down the '08 stretch was an inability to stop opponents from running with the pigskin. Most assume that one of the nation's best sack masters will skip out early to the next level in All-American Everett Brown and some question if long time defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews schemes have become outdated. They have some major experience up front but they have to prove capable of holding their ground. FSU may be the favorite to win the Atlantic Division, which does not appear to be a strong statement from a national perspective. They are miles from being back to the top as the Gators continue to exploit their long-term free fall from Top Ten consideration. If the defense could secure some form of consistency the Noles could wind up with one of their better campaigns of this millennium. Recruiting continues to be good for Bobby but their lack of discipline in terms of penalties; player dismissals/transfers and off-the-field antics are killing this program. They will likely continue to teeter in and out of the Top 25 like their adversary Miami. The offense finally has enough of a positive outlook to start them here.

 

FLORIDA STATE
2009 SCHEDULE

Sep. 5 Maine
Sep. 19 at Brigham Young
Sep. 26 South Florida
Nov. 28 at Florida
TBA Maryland
TBA North Carolina State
TBA Georgia Tech
TBA Miami FL
TBA at Clemson
TBA at Wake Forest
TBA at Boston College
TBA at North Carolina