Florida State Football: Projected 2-deep depth chart for 2017
The 2017 Florida State football team is looking to take back the ACC crown from Clemson, reclaiming the Atlantic division.
Florida State Seminoles quarterback Deondre Francois returns looking to have a bit better outcome than the 10-3 finish in 2016. Francois will need to replace playmakers like Dalvin Cook and the offensive line underwent a rebuild in the offseason.
Francois will need to find new weapons in the receiving corps. One name fans could start hearing a lot of is wide receiver Keith Gavin. He saved the day for Florida State last season in their 33-32 Orange Bowl victory. He set up the game-winning drive on a 66-yard kickoff return.
Another player to watch for is true freshman running back Cam Akers. Akers has made a lot of noise despite his short stay so far in Tallahassee. He looks to be a threat of out of the backfield as well as in the kick return game this season.
The return of safety Derwin James looms in 2017 as well. James looked particularly healthy in Florida State’s annual spring game. If he can pick up where he left off, the Seminoles will be a force to be reckoned with.
The Florida State Seminoles also had some other key additions from the 2017 recruiting class that could contribute right away. If the offensive line can hold up, the Seminoles could find themselves in their first College Football Playoff since 2015. A matchup on Sept. 2 with the Alabama Crimson Tide will tell the story.
Offensive Line
Starting tackles: Rick Leonard (RT), Josh Ball (LT)
Backups: Brock Ruble, Jauan Williams
The loss of offensive tackle Roderick Johnson puts a damper on the team’s immediate success. Rick Leonard started six games at the right tackle position last season. He recently converted to defensive end after the 2015 season. Josh Ball looks to be the other starter at left tackle. He did well in the spring to show he belonged.
Brock Ruble is the first backup tackle. He is a redshirt junior who started seven games at right tackle a season ago. Leonard seems to have overtaken the position since Ruble got injured but Ruble could see time in different combinations. Jauan Williams is the other reserve tackle. He is a redshirt freshman who also got a lot of good reps in spring practice.
Starting center: Alec Eberle
Backup: Braveon Johnson
Alec Eberle returns at the starting center position but he was sidelined all spring with an injury. Eberle has made 19 consecutive starts at center, including 13 games in 2016. He looks to be the anchor again in 2017 as he’s featured on the Rimington, Outland and Wuerffel Awards watch lists.
Braveon Johnson was able to get some reps in at the center spot with Eberle recovering from injury. While he may not see time as a starter in 2017, he could get in a lot of reps by season’s end in a reserve role.
Starting guards: Cole Minshew (LG), Landon Dickerson (RG)
Backups: Derrick Kelly, Ethan Frith
Former offensive guard is another starter on the offensive line that will be missed. Rebuilding the left side of the offensive line starts with plugging in Cole Minshew. He started the final three games of the 2016 season. Landon Dickerson will likely make the start at the right guard position after going down last season with a knee injury.
Derrick Kelly is a redshirt junior who made appearances in five games in 2016, starting in two of them. He should be a solid reserve at either guard position. The other reserve offensive guard is likely to be Ethan Frith. Frith has seven games of experience under his belt in the past two seasons.