After consecutive top-5 finishes which includes the 2013 national championship, expectations are much lower for Florida State heading into 2015, but the Seminoles are still expected to compete for a fourth straight ACC championship. Over the last three years, FSU has the nation’s best record at 39-3 and hopes to build on its run of success.
The Seminoles will turn to a number of new faces this upcoming season, perhaps most notably at quarterback. FSU will be replacing 2013 Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston, who went 26-1 as the starter for the Seminoles. The starting spot in Tallahassee is far from a lock, but here are the names to know when it comes to the quarterback position for 2015:
The Headliner
Everett Golson, Senior
The biggest news of the offseason for Florida State was the transfer of former Notre Dame starting quarterback Everett Golson. As a freshman in 2012, Golson helped lead the Fighting Irish to the BCS National Championship. In 25 career games, Golson has 55 total touchdowns. Golson passed for nearly 3,500 yards last season and 29 touchdowns, but had his struggles with turnovers late in the year.
At 6’0″ and 185 pounds, Golson lacks ideal size for a quarterback, but is a dual-threat and has a history of being able to move the offense with the game on the line. Despite never taking a snap for FSU, Golson is by far the most experienced quarterback on the roster and is no stranger to the national stage.
The Sleeper
Sean Maguire, Redshirt Junior
Sean Maguire is expected to be Golson’s biggest competition for the starting job. Though he has only one career start, Maguire has been in head coach Jimbo Fisher’s offense longer than any other scholarship quarterback on the roster. In his only start, Maguire passed for 304 yards and a touchdown, leading FSU from behind in the fourth quarter in a 23-17 victory over Clemson in last season’s ACC opener. Maguire isn’t a great athlete, but makes quick decisions and has the respect of his teammates.
The Future
Deondre Francois, Freshman
The top dual-threat quarterback of the 2015 class, according to Rivals, Deondre Francois carries big expectations to Tallahassee. At 6’0″ and only 190 pounds, Francois isn’t very big, but has a big arm and when loose, can make big plays with his legs. Francois likely won’t see much of the field in 2015, but could be competing for the starting job as early as 2016.
Other Names to Know
J.J. Consentino, Redshirt Freshman
J.J. Consentino isn’t the athlete that his teammates at the position are, but Consentino at 6’4″ and 235 pounds, has a build similar to Jameis Winston. Consentino looked very good for FSU during the spring game and if Golson and Maguire struggle, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that Consentino could be the next man up.
De’Andre Johnson, Freshman
Last year’s Mr. Football in the state of Florida, De’Andre Johnson is very talented and showed that during FSU’s spring game. Unfortunately for Johnson, he did struggle to pick up the play calls during the spring and will begin the 2015 season suspended after allegedly punching a woman in a bar. If that’s true, Johnson’s days with the Seminoles could end before they even begin.
Overview
The battle for the starting quarterback spot may be the most intriguing for Florida State entering 2015. Everett Golson’s experience makes him the frontrunner, but Sean Maguire and J.J. Consentino are two guys that the FSU coaching staff are very high on. The Seminoles have a lot of talent at the skill positions and just being smart with the football may be the most important task for whoever lines up under center for FSU in 2015. With Consentino, Deondre Francois and De’Andre Johnson all being freshmen however, the Seminoles appear to have a very bright future at quarterback.
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