Florida State Football 2020 Preview- Offense

Quarterback

James Blackman will be the starting quarterback once again. In 2019 James Blackman threw 2,339 for yards, 17 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Blackman has had quite the up-and-down career at Florida State with 6 different play callers and going 12-12 as a starter.

Norvell and offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham have helped him develop a new throwing motion that helps him get the ball out quicker with more velocity and accuracy. Other quarterbacks on the roster include Jordan Travis and freshman Tate Rodemaker and Chubba Purdy.

Playmakers

After Cam Akers was selected in the NFL draft and Khalan Laborn and Anthony Grant left the team it will be up to transfer Texas A&M Jashaun Corbin to carry the load at running back. Junior college transfer La’Damian Webb, former walk on Deonte Sheffield and freshmen Lawrence Toafili and Corey Wren will also vie for snaps in the backfield.

Tamorrion ‘Scary’ Terry is one of the best receivers in the nation after a season in which he had 1,188 receiving yard and averaged an ACC high 19.8 yards per catch. The Seminoles also return two explosive slot receivers in Keyshawn Helton and DJ Matthews. Matthews is the senior, but when healthy Helton is one of Blackman’s favorite targets. After these three are a slew of highly touted but inexperienced receivers like Jordan Young, Ontaria Wilson, Warren Thompson and freshman Bryan Robinson. They are all big, athletic and can play inside or outside.

After injuries, transfers and players graduating the sophomore Camren McDonald will be the starter at tight end. After McDonald the depth chart includes former walk-on quarterback Wyatt Rector and true freshmen Carter Boatwright.

Offensive Line

Sophomores Darius Washington and Dontae Lucas will most likely man the left tackle and left guard, respectively. In their freshmen seasons they were the most consistent linemen on the team, but their 2019 campaigns were cut short due to injury. Maurice Smith has won the battle to be the starting center after beating out two former starters Baveon Johnson and Andrew Boselli. Johnson will move to right guard while Boselli will be the backup center. FIU transfer Devontay Love-Taylor is the favorite to win the position battle at right tackle. If someone needs a breather Brady Scott will be the first man off the bench. Scott has played all five positions so the coaches are confident he can get the job done. Tackles Chaz Neal and guard Thomas Shrader are pushing for playing time as well. I think the unit will be better due to all the experience they earned last year, the work they’ve put in with new strength coach Josh Storms and having two coaches, Alex Atkins (O-Line) and Chris Thomsen (Tight Ends), that have been offensive line coaches before.