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Florida State Football: 5 reasons why Seminoles will win 2017 national title

By Erich Hilkert

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - DECEMBER 30: Deondre Francois #12 of the Florida State Seminoles warms up prior to their Capitol One Orange Bowl game against the Michigan Wolverines at Sun Life Stadium on December 30, 2016 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FL - DECEMBER 30: Deondre Francois #12 of the Florida State Seminoles warms up prior to their Capitol One Orange Bowl game against the Michigan Wolverines at Sun Life Stadium on December 30, 2016 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI GARDENS, FL – DECEMBER 30: Deondre Francois #12 of the Florida State Seminoles warms up prior to their Capitol One Orange Bowl game against the Michigan Wolverines at Sun Life Stadium on December 30, 2016 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FL – DECEMBER 30: Deondre Francois #12 of the Florida State Seminoles warms up prior to their Capitol One Orange Bowl game against the Michigan Wolverines at Sun Life Stadium on December 30, 2016 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

3. Growth of Deondre Francois

The ACC Rookie of the Year had the most passing yards of any freshman passer in college football last season (3,350). However, he had plenty of things that needed work. For example, his accuracy (58 percent completion rate).

College players often experience the most growth between year one as a starter and year two. Often, this is because freshman players are overwhelmed learning the playbook and unable to do much else to progress, but the offseason between year one and year two affords the opportunity to work on small improvements.

Related Story: Florida State Football: Projected depth chart for 2017

Francois showed enormous potential last season. The Florida State offensive line wasn’t especially good and Francois took a number of hard hits but showed a lot of toughness. The Florida State offensive line is more experienced and better overall heading into 2017.

Among returning quarterbacks, Francois is the second-best in the ACC behind reigning Heisman winner Lamar Jackson.

The Seminoles lost Travis Rudolph at tight end, but get George Campbell back from injury. Campbell redshirted last season due to injury, but, like Francois, Campbell has great potential.

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