Florida State Football: How does Alex Hornibrook fit with Noles?

2. Depth

Prior to Hornibrook’s announcement, Florida State’s quarterback room included two transfers—Jordan Travis from Louisville and Wyatt Rector from Western Michigan—both of whom will likely sit a year unless waivers are granted. There is also talented walk-on Nolan McDonald and then James Blackman, who some in the fanbase affectionately call the “Slim Reaper” due to his slight frame.

Try running the quarterback, as both Taggart and offensive coordinator Kendal Briles like to do, when that’s your guy and you only have a preferred walk-on and running back Cam Akers on the depth chart behind him. It goes without saying that this should never happen at an elite college football program like Florida State, and yet that is the predicament the Seminoles found themselves before Hornibrook announced his intention to transfer.

Blackman will enter 2019 significantly ahead of Hornibrook, who won’t arrive in Tallahassee until May, following his graduation from the University of Wisconsin. And make no mistake: Blackman may be skinny, but he is a more than capable quarterback. He can sling the ball, he’s accurate, and he has the experience and leadership needed to guide Florida State to an improved 2019 season.

But what if he gets hurt. That has always been the question… and one that has become increasingly alarming with the lack of depth behind him. Jimbo Fisher’s offense, which featured Blackman for most of 2017 after Francois went down in the season opener against Alabama, didn’t run the quarterback very often (at least not while at Florida State) and compensated for a weak line with additional blocking from running backs and tight ends. Thus, the threat to Blackman was not as glaring.

But in a Taggart-Briles offensive system, which looks to use the quarterback as a threat in the run game, the potential for injury is much higher. Even if Hornibrook doesn’t win the starting job, the Seminoles can rest easier knowing there is a capable warm body between Blackman and an emergency plan like Cam Akers playing quarterback in his money year.