Replacing a legend is never easy, but for one Florida State quarterback, it’s an endeavor he would like to take on. With the annual spring game coming on Saturday, Sean Maguire looks to further his case for a role many doubted would ever be his: Seminoles’ starting quarterback.
Maguire hopes to be the successor to arguably the greatest player ever to line up under center for FSU. In two years, Jameis Winston compiled a 26-1 record as a starter, led the Seminoles to two ACC titles, a national championship and became the youngest player ever to win the Heisman Trophy. He’s also projected to be the top pick in this month’s NFL Draft.
A largely unheralded piece to Florida State’s 2012 recruiting class, Maguire was fifth on the depth chart when he stepped on campus. Being a part of the same recruiting class as Winston, Maguire was largely an afterthought among FSU faithful. Aside from the Seminoles, Buffalo was the only other FBS program to offer Maguire a scholarship.
After future first round pick E.J. Manuel led Florida State to its first ACC championship in seven years, Winston beat out more veteran players in Clint Trickett and Jacob Coker for the starting job. Trickett and Coker would each eventually transfer to other Power 5 conference schools, leaving Maguire as the No. 2 quarterback for the ‘Noles.
Maguire threw just 21 passes as a freshman in 2013, but was called on early last season to win what would be arguably Florida State’s biggest game of the year. With Winston suspended, Maguire was forced to start against Clemson in Florida State’s ACC opener. The winner of the annual contest had gone on to play for the ACC Championship in each of the previous five seasons.
In his first career start, Maguire overcame a sluggish first half to finish with 304 yards passing and a 74-yard touchdown pass to Rashad Greene with FSU trailing 17-10 and just over six minutes to play.
After a late defensive stand following what appeared to be a costly Maguire interception and another stop in overtime, it took Karlos Williams just two plays to find the end zone, keeping Florida State’s national and ACC title hopes alive with a 23-17 victory.
The most veteran of the remaining quarterbacks on the FSU roster, Maguire has not only become the frontrunner for the job, but has evolved as a leader in spring practice. With three freshmen — two true and one redshirt — more highly-recruited and with more athleticism vying for the starting job, the junior will be hoping to make a lasting impression in Saturday’s spring game at Doak Campbell Stadium.
With all eyes on Winston for last season’s spring contest, Maguire had arguably the best day among Florida State quarterbacks. Maguire was decisive in his decision-making and accurate on his throws while finishing the day 15-for-28 passing for 203 yards and a touchdown.
This spring, Maguire has much more at stake. Head coach Jimbo Fisher has never been reluctant to turn to underclassmen at quarterback should they play well enough to earn the job. With three talented freshmen with big potential and another top recruit coming next season in Malik Henry, Maguire needs to use Saturday as an opportunity to build on his lone career start.
Few are expecting Maguire to be Jameis Winston, but after three consecutive conference crowns, two major bowl victories and a national championship, fans in Tallahassee will be expecting a winner. With a talented array of skill players on the offensive side of the ball, the Seminoles may simply need a heady leader capable of making good reads and getting the ball out to play-makers in space. Saturday will perhaps be Sean Maguire’s biggest opportunity to prove he is in fact that guy.
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