After closing up fall camp, Florida State football coach Willie Taggart named Deondre Francois the starting quarterback to begin the season.
Just one year ago, Deondre Francois kicked off Florida State’s regular season with a neutral site matchup against Alabama. It was the top-five opening weekend matchup everyone had been waiting for, but it turned into a lopsided affair.
Even more disheartening was the fact that Florida State lost its starting quarterback, Deondre Francois, for the season.
The leg injury he suffered in the opener brought a 210-yard passing day to a screeching halt. The Seminoles likely weren’t going to make a comeback, but Francois was one of those dark-horse Heisman contenders and not many quarterbacks can surpass 200 yards against the Tide.
James Blackman took over as a true freshman, struggled early on and then came into his own. Many believed he would be new coach Willie Taggart’s choice to start.
Not the case, apparently, as Taggart named Francois the starter for the opener against Virginia Tech.
Florida State @CoachTaggart announces QB Deondre Francois will start opener vs. Virginia Tech
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) August 27, 2018
Some are left scratching their heads as Francois hasn’t played a live action snap in a year while Blackman has been improving from all accounts, but the former gives the Seminoles the best chance to win.
In fact, as a freshman, Francois broke out for 3,350 yards and 20 touchdowns with just seven picks and he completed over 58 percent of his throws. His accuracy could use some improvement, but that’s about what you’d expect for a true freshman. Imagine what he could do with another year of collegiate experience under his belt and watching film as well as acting as a player-coach during his injury.
Francois is the correct choice by Taggart and gives the Seminoles experience under center and a potential Heisman candidate.
Keep an eye on Florida State to surprise people in 2018.