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Florida State Football: 5 breakout candidates during 2017 spring game

By Jerran Anderson

Sep 12, 2015; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive tackle Giorgio Newberry (4) warms up with defensive end Josh Sweat (9) before the game against the South Florida Bulls at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 12, 2015; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive tackle Giorgio Newberry (4) warms up with defensive end Josh Sweat (9) before the game against the South Florida Bulls at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 12, 2015; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive tackle Giorgio Newberry (4) warms up with defensive end Josh Sweat (9) before the game against the South Florida Bulls at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 12, 2015; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive tackle Giorgio Newberry (4) warms up with defensive end Josh Sweat (9) before the game against the South Florida Bulls at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports /

Florida State football is another ACC team looking to return to prominence. Here are five breakout players to watch in this season’s annual spring game.

The Florida State Seminoles open the 2017 season against the Alabama Crimson Tide on September 2. After finishing 10-3 and in the AP Top 10 last season behind freshman quarterback Deondre Francois, the stakes will certainly be higher for the team despite some key losses.

The Seminoles finished 5-3 in the ACC but to be better they’ll need to replace some key offensive lineman. They’ll also need to replace running back Dalvin Cook on offense. Defensively, Florida State looks to replace defensive end DeMarcus Walker. Both Walker and Cook are leaving early for the NFL Draft.

Francois will return a more experienced passer this spring but he’ll need to find a better receiving target. He’ll also need to find a new starting running back. Some say it will be rising junior Jacques Patrick.

Patrick returns as the Seminoles leading rusher this spring with 350 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns through 12 games in 2016. But with early enrollee running back Cam Akers on campus, there’s competition this spring. Akers is making some early noise both at running back and on special teams.

Replacing Cook and Walker won’t be easy, but returning nine starters on defense certainly helps matters. The Seminoles have a chance at winning the ACC Title next season, but.

Here’s a look at the players to watch in the Florida State Seminoles Spring Game this weekend.

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