Written by Shawn Davison
CHARLOTTE, NC - Is it possible the ACC left the best for last? The Florida State Seminoles were the final team to take the stage on Day 2 of the 2016 ACC Football Kickoff.
After winning a National Championship in 2013, playing in the College Football Playoff at the Rose Bowl in 2014, and setting the record for number of NFL Draft selections in a three year span, with 29, last season was considered to be a “rebuilding year” for FSU. The Noles, however, amassed double-digit wins in the regular season, reaching a New Years Six bowl - where they fell to Houston. After exceeding the expectations of many in 2015, and returning 17 starters for the 2016 season, the Seminoles enter the new season as one of the most talked-about teams in the nation. FSU Head Coach Jimbo Fisher, Junior RB Dalvin Cook, and Senior DE Demarcus Walker all made the trip to the Queen City to represent the Garnet and Gold before the national media.
Arguably the biggest question mark for FSU as the Noles prepare to enter fall camp is who their starting quarterback will be. Notre Dame transfer Everett Golson earned the starting role in 2015, but Sean Maguire took the reigns midway through the season. Now, with Golson playing professional football in Canada, and fifth-year senior Maguire battling back from the left ankle fracture that he suffered in the Peach Bowl appearance, the door for a couple highly touted freshmen swung wide open. Redshirt Freshman Deondre Francois and True Freshman Malik Henry had impressive outings in the FSU spring game. When asked about Sean Maguire’s status, Coach Fisher said that the senior was back out, throwing and running, with no residuals. He also said that Maguire has been receiving rave reviews from his teammates - thickening the plot in a QB race that will likely continue up to the opening week of the season.
While the QB position may be a question mark at the moment, it’s hard to imagine the RB position being anything other than an exclamation point - thanks to Dalvin Cook. In the 2015 season, Cook amassed a FSU record 1,691 rushing yards, and could’ve eclipsed 2,000 rushing yards had he not battled ankle and hamstring injuries - which reduced his time on the field. Cook is on the preseason shortlist of Heisman contenders, and now has a clean bill of health following shoulder surgery in the spring. Working to be ready when the Noles get their season underway, Cook has spent a considerable amount of time developing his leadership skills. In regards to what he did while he was unable to play in the spring, he said, “Everyday I was out at practice, at the Spring Game, taking the mental reps, and just coaching the younger guys up. Just getting back in the position myself, and just coaching those guys up and being a team player.” Coach Fisher also had nothing but praise for his leadership, saying, “He is very comfortable in his role, he knows who he is, but also how important it is for him to affect guys on our team in a great way - for us to go where we want to go.” When Cook does physically step back into his familiar position on the field, he is also prepared to face opposing defenses whose main priority will be to find a way to contain him. When asked how he will adjust to such a scenario, Cook said “I know the game plan is going to come in, and I know they are going to want to stop Dalvin. If I don’t have the ball, I want to influence the defense and stay active in the game,” he later added, “I don’t adjust; I’ll just be me. I’ll just be Dalvin. They’re going to stack boxes - that’s just how it’s going to be. But I’ll be Dalvin, and that’s just how it’ll go.”
After winning a National Championship in 2013, playing in the College Football Playoff at the Rose Bowl in 2014, and setting the record for number of NFL Draft selections in a three year span, with 29, last season was considered to be a “rebuilding year” for FSU. The Noles, however, amassed double-digit wins in the regular season, reaching a New Years Six bowl - where they fell to Houston. After exceeding the expectations of many in 2015, and returning 17 starters for the 2016 season, the Seminoles enter the new season as one of the most talked-about teams in the nation. FSU Head Coach Jimbo Fisher, Junior RB Dalvin Cook, and Senior DE Demarcus Walker all made the trip to the Queen City to represent the Garnet and Gold before the national media.
Arguably the biggest question mark for FSU as the Noles prepare to enter fall camp is who their starting quarterback will be. Notre Dame transfer Everett Golson earned the starting role in 2015, but Sean Maguire took the reigns midway through the season. Now, with Golson playing professional football in Canada, and fifth-year senior Maguire battling back from the left ankle fracture that he suffered in the Peach Bowl appearance, the door for a couple highly touted freshmen swung wide open. Redshirt Freshman Deondre Francois and True Freshman Malik Henry had impressive outings in the FSU spring game. When asked about Sean Maguire’s status, Coach Fisher said that the senior was back out, throwing and running, with no residuals. He also said that Maguire has been receiving rave reviews from his teammates - thickening the plot in a QB race that will likely continue up to the opening week of the season.
While the QB position may be a question mark at the moment, it’s hard to imagine the RB position being anything other than an exclamation point - thanks to Dalvin Cook. In the 2015 season, Cook amassed a FSU record 1,691 rushing yards, and could’ve eclipsed 2,000 rushing yards had he not battled ankle and hamstring injuries - which reduced his time on the field. Cook is on the preseason shortlist of Heisman contenders, and now has a clean bill of health following shoulder surgery in the spring. Working to be ready when the Noles get their season underway, Cook has spent a considerable amount of time developing his leadership skills. In regards to what he did while he was unable to play in the spring, he said, “Everyday I was out at practice, at the Spring Game, taking the mental reps, and just coaching the younger guys up. Just getting back in the position myself, and just coaching those guys up and being a team player.” Coach Fisher also had nothing but praise for his leadership, saying, “He is very comfortable in his role, he knows who he is, but also how important it is for him to affect guys on our team in a great way - for us to go where we want to go.” When Cook does physically step back into his familiar position on the field, he is also prepared to face opposing defenses whose main priority will be to find a way to contain him. When asked how he will adjust to such a scenario, Cook said “I know the game plan is going to come in, and I know they are going to want to stop Dalvin. If I don’t have the ball, I want to influence the defense and stay active in the game,” he later added, “I don’t adjust; I’ll just be me. I’ll just be Dalvin. They’re going to stack boxes - that’s just how it’s going to be. But I’ll be Dalvin, and that’s just how it’ll go.”
Defensively, although the Noles lost CB Jalen Ramsey in the first round of the NFL Draft, the garnet and gold aren’t lacking talent. Sophomore Safety Derwin James is widely considered to be one of the best defensive players in the country, and Senior DE DeMarcus Walker had a breakout season in 2015 - posting career highs in tackles, tackles for loss, pass breakups, forced fumbles, and sacks. His 10.5 sacks marked the first time an FSU player had recorded double-digit sacks since 2012. Walker opted to stay in Tallahassee for his senior season instead of going to the NFL. When asked why he chose not to play professionally, Walker said, “The biggest thing you come to college is for an education. A degree is the best thing, and just sitting down with Coach Fisher and talking with my family - it was the best decision for me to come back, and I’m coming back to a great team.” Having made the decision to return to the garnet and gold, he now enters the 2016 season as an All-America candidate and the leader of FSU’s defense. With Walker returning to the line, and rising stars such as James and his fellow sophomore Josh Sweat ready to prove how they’ve grown over the offseason, the aspirations for the Noles’ defense are lofty. “I can see this defense being the best defense FSU’s ever had,” said Walker - a high bar set for a group of highly talented players. “I’m glad he thinks that,” Fisher added, “if you don't think it, you’re not going to do it.”
Lacking neither in terms of confidence, nor commitment, The Seminoles start their 2016 campaign on September 5th, in Orlando, against Ole Miss - who, in 2015, defeated Alabama Crimson Tide (the team who went on to win the national championship) in the regular season, and went to the Sugar Bowl - handily beating Oklahoma State. Past opening weekend, FSU’s schedule includes a brutal stretch in October, with a home game against the 2015 ACC Coastal Champions, UNC, a road trip to Miami - competing under new head coach Mark Richt, and a home tilt against the Clemson Tigers - who won the ACC and also went on to compete in the National Championship Game last season. Other notable games on FSU’s schedule include an early season road trip to Louisville, and their traditional regular-season cap against the Florida Gators.
Only time will tell if the 2016 Seminoles can make a similar run to the 2013 and 2014 teams, but one thing is for sure - the Noles’ roster is stacked with talent and potential. Looking ahead for FSU, the sky is the limit.
Lacking neither in terms of confidence, nor commitment, The Seminoles start their 2016 campaign on September 5th, in Orlando, against Ole Miss - who, in 2015, defeated Alabama Crimson Tide (the team who went on to win the national championship) in the regular season, and went to the Sugar Bowl - handily beating Oklahoma State. Past opening weekend, FSU’s schedule includes a brutal stretch in October, with a home game against the 2015 ACC Coastal Champions, UNC, a road trip to Miami - competing under new head coach Mark Richt, and a home tilt against the Clemson Tigers - who won the ACC and also went on to compete in the National Championship Game last season. Other notable games on FSU’s schedule include an early season road trip to Louisville, and their traditional regular-season cap against the Florida Gators.
Only time will tell if the 2016 Seminoles can make a similar run to the 2013 and 2014 teams, but one thing is for sure - the Noles’ roster is stacked with talent and potential. Looking ahead for FSU, the sky is the limit.