FLORIDA STATE SEMINOLES
2012 College Football Early Preview
OFFENSE - 9
------RETURNING STARTERS------
DEFENSE - 9
KEY LOSSES
OFFENSE: Ty Jones-TB, Jermaine Thomas-RB, Bert Reed-WR, Beau Reliford-TE, Ja'Baris Little-TE, Zebrie Sanders-OT, David Spurlock-OG
DEFENSE: Nigel Bradham-WLB, Mike Harris-CB, Terrance Parks-SS, Shawn Powell-P
QB E.J. Manuel
Defense

It's hard to run on this team. The nation's second ranked run defense also ranks first in the ACC in sacks and pass defense. Barring NFL departures, nine of those starters are coming back. The shear athletic talent, speed and depth collected on this side of the ball are astonishing.

Offensive Line

This youthful offensive line continues to be injury riddled and has trouble at both opening holes and protecting the passer. This is the crutch in Tallahassee.

DE Brandon Jenkins
* 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 2012 Preseason Preview due out this coming spring.
FLORIDA STATE 2012 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
OFFENSE
QB E.J. Manuel-Sr Clint Trickett-So
FB Lonnie Pryor-Sr Debrale Smiley-Sr
TB Devonta Freeman-So James Wilder-So / Chris Thompson-Sr
WR Rashad Greene-So Kenny Shaw-Jr
WR Christian Green-So Jarred Haggins-Jr
WR Rodney Smith-Sr Greg Dent-Jr
TE Nick O'Leary-So ..
OT .. ..
OG Jacob Fahrenkrug-Sr Josue Matias-So
C Bryan Stork-Jr Austin Barron-So
OG Garrett Faircloth-Jr Tre Jackson-So
OT Bobby Hart-So ..
K Dustin Hopkins-Sr ..
 
FLORIDA STATE 2012 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
DEFENSE
DE Bjoern Werner-Jr Cornellius Carradine-Sr
DT Everett Dawkins-Sr Cameron Erving-So
DT Anthony McCloud-Sr Timmy Jernigan-So / Jacobbi McDaniel-Sr
DE Brandon Jenkins-Sr Dan Hicks-Jr
SLB Christian Jones-Jr ..
MLB Vince Williams-Sr Telvin Smith-Jr
WLB Jeff Luc-Jr ..
CB Greg Reid-Sr Avis Commack-Sr
CB Xavier Rhodes-Jr ..
SS Nick Moody-Sr Karlos Williams-So
FS Lamarcus Joyner-Jr Terrence Brooks-Jr
P .. ..
QUICK TAKES
  • For the last 12 seasons (since 2000), the Seminoles are the most penalized team in all of college football. Until a coach comes in to finally address this problem, FSU will never see the light of a Top Ten finish no matter how much talent they recruit.
  • The E.J. Manuel experience has not failed, but it has not gone exactly the way FSU coaches had anticipated. The veteran is still missing his mark with many of his passes. If he can get some time to throw, Manuel can be an All-Conference quarterback.
  • Florida State has three stellar athletes at running back. Devonta Freeman is proving to be a budding star while James Wilder carries extensive high school accolades. When healthy Chris Thompson is better than both of them.
  • The offensive line is killing Florida State. Expect to see four freshmen starting in the bowl game. This group was dead last in the ACC (111th nationally) at protecting the quarterback and holes to run through are seldom seen.
  • On the other side, there may not be a better defensive line in all of college football. Defensive end Brandon Jenkins is/will be an NFL talent and the depth across the entire line of scrimmage is extensive.
  • Greg Reid is an electrifying return man, but he needs to sure up his defensive prowess before someone actually considers him All-Conference material. This secondary does have the potential to put FSU over the ACC mountain.
  • Every preseason poll had FSU ranked too high last summer. This new coaching staff’s best opportunity was waiting for them in 2012. There can be no more talk about what a bright future this program might have…2012 is the future.

 

FLORIDA STATE 2012 SCHEDULE
non-conference opponents

09/01 - Murray State
09/08 - West Virginia
09/29 - at USF
11/24 - Florida
-----------------
TBA - Boston College
TBA - Clemson
TBA - Duke
TBA - Wake Forest
TBA - at Maryland
TBA - at Miami FL
TBA - at North Carolina State
TBA - at Virginia Tech