Five Takeaways from Release of FSU Depth Chart

The first Florida State depth chart for the 2015 season was released in the team’s media guide on Sunday. There were some real surprises at some positions and not so much when it comes to others. Either way, here are five takeaways from the initial depth chart for FSU:

1. Everett Golson will be given nothing

The battle for the starting quarterback job in Tallahassee has long thought to be between redshirt junior Sean Maguire, who is the only quarterback on the roster to make a start at FSU, and Notre Dame transfer Everett Golson. It wasn’t a real shock during the release of the depth chart that Golson was behind Maguire, but Golson was also listed behind redshirt freshman J.J. Consentino. Consentino looked good in the team’s spring game in April and has good size and a ton of upside. Golson was named to both the Maxwell and Walter Camp Award watch lists earlier this month and is by far the most experienced quarterback on the roster. As a freshman in 2012, Golson took the Fighting Irish to the BCS National Championship and made over 20 career starts with Notre Dame. If the initial FSU depth chart means anything however, Golson has a lot of work ahead of him to win the starting job.

2. Upperclassmen will get first crack

Florida State brings in one of the premier recruiting classes in the country this year, but the first depth chart of 2015 shows that the benefit of the doubt will go to the program’s veterans. Not a single true freshman is listed as a starter on the initial chart although there were two redshirt freshmen listed as potential starters on the offensive line. 5-star safety Derwin James was listed behind junior Nate Andrews at strong safety while freshmen receivers George Campbell and Da’Vante Phillips were listed as the No. 3 receiver at the Z and X spots respectively. 5-star cornerback Tarvarus McFadden did not appear on the depth chart and defensive end Josh Sweat is listed third at the buck position.

3. Ryan Hoefeld has not progressed as many had hoped

Aside from starting left tackle Roderick Johnson, the only Florida State offensive lineman with any meaningful experience is center Ryan Hoefeld. Hoefeld, a redshirt sophomore, started four games for FSU last season and was expected to battle Alec Eberle for the starting center position. At the release of the first depth chart, Hoefeld was not only behind the younger Eberle, but redshirt freshman Corey Martinez as well. The drop from projected starter to third center shows that Hoefeld has not come along as offensive line coach Rick Trickett had hoped.

4. The secondary is extremely deep

Despite losing both starting cover cornerbacks early to the NFL, the Seminoles are still extremely deep in the secondary. Cornerback Jalen Ramsey is expected to be an All-American while safety Nate Andrews had led the team in interceptions in each of his first two seasons with the Seminoles. Marquez White, Lamarcus Brutus and Tyler Hunter are also listed as starters. What’s amazing is that 5-star freshman safety Derwin James is currently listed as the team’s sixth or seventh defensive back and 5-star cornerback Tarvarus McFadden isn’t even listed. It’s unlikely that neither of those players make an impact for 2015, but having them as reserves illustrates just how stacked FSU is in the defensive backfield.

5. FSU is extremely thin at linebacker

If there is one position where Florida State can simply not afford any injuries this season, it’s at linebacker. Only four players are listed on the initial depth chart with seniors Terrance Smith and Reggie Northrup as the starters. The problem is Northrup is coming off a major knee injury and the players listed behind the two seniors, Tyrell Lyons and Ro’Derrick Hoskins, have just 12 combined career tackles. Sophomores Lorenzo Featherston and Jacob Pugh are each listed at the buck position which is mostly a pass-rushing role.