FLORIDA STATE SEMINOLES
2013 College Football Preview
OFFENSE - 6
------RETURNING STARTERS------
DEFENSE - 4
KEY LOSSES
OFFENSE: EJ Manuel-QB, Lonnie Pryor-FB, Chris Thompson-TB, Rodney Smith-WR, Dustin Hopkins-K, Menelik Watson-OT (NFL), Clint Trickett-QB (transferred)
DEFENSE: Everett Dawkins-DT, Anthony McCloud-DT, Cornellius Carradine-DE, Nick Moody-LB, Vince Williams-LB, Xavier Rhodes-CB (NFL), Bjoern Werner-DE (NFL)
WR Rashad Greene
Offensive Line / Secondary

It was the close of 2011 when all signs pointed to this young offensive line being special. That time is now. Four starters return and these are no longer fresh-faced newcomers. Xavier Rhodes left early for the NFL, but this secondary is stockpiled with the best high quality speed athletes recruiting can find.

Quarterback / Defensive Front

Good or bad, the EJ Manuel experiment is over and Clint Trickett transferred after the spring game. But that was due in part to the stunning spring game Mr. Alabama Football Jameis Winston put on. The future looks bright for his star as he gives it his first try in a college start. There is always plenty of talented athletes waiting in the wings defensively. And the Noles will need it. The entire starting cast on the front seven is gone outside of linebacker Christian Jones.

LB Christian Jones
 
FLORIDA STATE 2013 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
OFFENSE
QB Jameis Winston-RFr (6-4, 225) Jacob Coker-So (6-5, 235)
FB Chad Abram-Sr (6-0, 230) Shayne Broxsie-Sr (6-2, 260)
RB James Wilder-Jr (6-2, 229) Devonta Freeman-Jr (5-9, 203)
WR Rashad Greene-Jr (6-0, 180) Willie Haulstead-Sr (6-2, 215)
WR Kelvin Benjamin-So (6-5, 238) Jarred Haggins-Sr (6-0, 193)
WR Kenny Shaw-Sr (6-0, 170) Christian Green-Jr (6-2, 205)
TE Nick O'Leary-Jr (6-3, 246) Jeremy Kerr-Fr (6-5, 254)
OT Cameron Erving-Jr (6-6, 320) Jonathan Wallace-Sr (6-7, 290)
OG Josue Matias-Jr (6-6, 322) Jacob Fahrenkrug-Sr (6-4, 326)
C Bryan Stork-Sr (6-4, 312) Austin Barron-Jr (6-3, 295)
OG Tre' Jackson-Jr (6-4, 325) Ruben Carter-So (6-4, 309)
OT Bobby Hart-Jr (6-4, 315) Trey Pettis-So (6-5, 350)
K Roberto Aguayo-RFr (6-1, 208) ..
 
FLORIDA STATE 2013 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
DEFENSE
DE Dan Hicks-Sr (6-4, 260) Giorgia Newberry-So (6-6, 280)
DT Demonte McAllister-Sr (6-2, 290) Eddie Goldman-So (6-3, 313)
NT Timmy Jernigan-Jr (6-2, 298) Nile Lawrence-Stample-So (6-1, 314)
DE Mario Edwards-So (6-4, 295) Chris Casher-RFr (6-4, 260)
SLB Terrance Smith-So (6-4, 214) Ukeme Eligwe-RFr (6-2, 240)
MLB Telvin Smith-Sr (6-3, 215) Freddie Stevenson-Fr (6-1, 237)
WLB Christian Jones-Sr (6-4, 232) Reggie Northrup-So (6-1, 221)
CB Lamarcus Joyner-Sr (5-8, 190) Ronald Darby-So (5-11, 187)
CB Nick Waisome-Jr (5-10, 170) Keelin Smith-So (6-3, 185)
SS Karlos Williams-Jr (6-1, 230) Tyler Hunter-Jr (6-0, 194)
FS Terrence Brooks-Sr (5-11, 195) Gerald Demps-Sr (5-11, 201)
P Cason Beatty-So (6-3, 229) ..
QUICK TAKES

     

  • The QB situation will be a major factor heading into 2013. Clint Trickett, the son of offensive line coach Rick Trickett, was the early front runner based on his experience spelling an injured EJ Manuel the past two seasons. But then something happened along the way...dual-threat Jameis Winston has an amazing spring which put the writing on the wall for Trickett as he transferred out of the program immediately. The redshirt freshman Winston was the nation's top quarterback prospect in class of 2012 and the Gatorade Player of The Year in Alabama.
  • The running game looked to be on the right track in 2012 before getting derailed at times when meeting quality defenses. If there is one aspect FSU coaches seemingly rarely grasp it's the running game. This is a slow developing, east-west attack that seems to be killing the offense, especially in short yardage situations. Devonta Freeman and James Wilder are top flight running backs. The offensive line is full of experienced veterans. If the running game stalls in 2013 it could be a long season.
  • Injuries wreaked havoc on the defensive side in 2012, especially at defensive end. FSU lives by the sword that depth can kill. This formula will get put to the 2013 test in a major way as much of the defensive front seven will move on. The next great defensive stalwart is sophomore Mario Edwards.
  • Florida State ranked 3rd nationally in pass defense. Lamarcus Joyner was an All-Conference selection and Ronald Darby was voted the ACC's top defensive rookie.
  • The issues holding FSU back are offensive. It may be time for Head Coach Jimbo Fisher to relieve himself as the offensive coordinator. The second half shut outs posted by lowly regarded NC State and Georgia Tech defenses make no sense at all. There is no identity for this offense.
  • The turnover factor crushed this team down the stretch. Most of those were at the hands of EJ Manuel. The turnover margin has to change for FSU to climb in the polls.
  • The 2013 schedule looks to be no more daunting than the one the BCS computers disapproved of in 2012.

 

FLORIDA STATE 2013 SCHEDULE

Sep. 2 - at Pittsburgh
Sep. 14 - Nevada
Sep. 21 - Bethune-Cookman
Sep. 28 - at Boston College
Oct. 5 - Maryland
Oct. 19 - at Clemson
Oct. 26 - North Carolina State
Nov. 2 - Miami FL
Nov. 9 - at Wake Forest
Nov. 16 - Syracuse
Nov. 23 - Idaho
Nov. 30 - at Florida