Here is my positive outlook for 2019..
I have James Blackman pegged to be the starter and I think he can be very good. Latest reports sound like Deondre Francois might stick around. Nolan McDonald will likely be on scholarship too. Justin Fields is a transfer possibility. That would be an absolute game changer. We are also a possible destination for 4 star Lance Legendre, Plumlee, Louisville transfer or a seasoned grad transfer like the Delton from Kansas State.
Great news for the ground game is that Cam Akers returns and is in his “money year”. He has All-American potential if the line can open up holes. Former 5 star Khalan Laborn is coming back from injury and appears to be healthy. I believe he could be really special. That’s two 5 star backs. Amir Rasul and Anthony Grant are very solid backups. Zaquandre White could possibly move back as well. I really like this group.
FSU will be LOADED at WR with Tomorrion Terry, DJ Matthews, Tre’Shaun Harrison, Keyshawn Helton, Warren Thompson, Keith Gavin, George Campbell, Ontaria Wilson, Deonte Sheffield, Demarcus Adams, Jordan Young and signee Maurice Goolsby. There probably isn’t too many better groups in the country than this. We might also bring in big-time talent like Areji Henderson or George Pickens in the late signing period. Terry has 1st round potential in my opinion.
FSU will be strong at TE with Tre McKitty, Nasier Upshur, Camren McDonald, Alex Marshall, and Gabe Nabers. All bring different skills to the table. McKitty has all conference potential. Upshur starting making plays towards the end of the season. McDonald has a very high ceiling.
Clearly OL is the big question mark and concern. It has prohibited FSU from being a legit competitor the last several years. Getting Landon Dickerson back and healthy would be massive. When healthy he has All-American talent, but up to this point is just an injury waiting to happen. Cole Minshew and Mike Arnold return, although I think one of Baveon Johnson, Christian Meadows or Armstrong likely beats out Arnold. Brady Scott should be an upgrade over Eberle at center. FSU just signed stud Dontae Lucas and tomorrow might sign stud Will Putnam. Maurice Smith is a good center prospect. We look to be fairly strong on the interior. Definitely improved from 2017 and 18.
At tackle I am not sure what JUCO’s Jay Williams or possibly Kadeem Telfort will bring to the table. Hopefully one can be a solid starter. Maybe Jauan Williams, Jalen Goss or Chaz Neal develops, although I have my doubts. Goss seems to have the highest upside. Decent chance we keep Dickerson outside, or we might bring in a grad transfer at tackle. Dawand Jones could be a huge signing literally and figuratively. I think FSU improves from the worst OL in football to at least average. Possibly even above average if these JUCO’s or a freshman can play at a high level. That would make a world of difference. Depth should be much better this season too.
Overall I think the offense will improve, and with Kendall Briles it could possibly explode. We should be much better on offense than we were the last two season. I personally think it will be MUCH better.
On defense FSU brings back 5 star DE Josh Kaindoh and former prep blue chipper Janarious Robinson. Both are in their “money years”. I think they will be very good. Both Dennis Briggs and Xavier Peters showed promise in limited action and were big recruits themselves. Bringing in 4 stars Derrick McClendon, Quashan Fuller and Curtis Fann will help with depth. Also 3 star sleeper Malcolm Ray who is said by some insiders to be the best overall player in Dade county this class. That’s a strong group at DE.
At defensive tackle Marvin Wilson is in his money year. Time to live up to his #1 overall player billing. Has shown flashes. Cory Durden, trench monster Robert Cooper and Jalen Parks will be nice compliments to big Marvin. Perhaps Cedric Wood will develop too. He was a highly touted recruit. Malcom Lamar and Jamarcus Chatman were both 4 stars that redshirted. Expect them to challenge the two deep. Also bringing in Tru Thompson who could play early. Overall I think FSU will be improved along the DL despite the loss of sack master Brian Burns.
At linebacker Dontavious Jackson returns and will be the leader of the defense. He was a tackle machine towards the end of the season. 5 star Jaiden Woodbey was a freshman All-American and should be primed to explode in 2019. Amari Gainer or Leonard Warner will likely fill in at the third linebacker spot. Decalon Brooks, Adonis Thomas and Josh Brown are backups. Not expecting much there to be honest. Possibly sign JUCO stud Lakia Henry. He could likely contribute immediately. 4 star signees Jaleel McCrae, Kalen Deloach and sleeper Kevon Glenn could get early action as well.
FSU is LOADED at corner with Stanford Samuels, Asante Samuel, AJ Lytton, 5 star Levonta Taylor coming back from injury, and veteran Kyle Meyers. The hope is to bring in 5 star Akeem Dent, and local stud Travis Jay. Both are currently committed. Already signed two really good prep kids in Renardo Green, and Jarvis Brownlee. This should be one of the more talented returning corner groups and cornerback classes in the country. Combine those together and we we should be very, very good at corner in 2019.
FSU looks fairly strong at safety with tackle machine Hamsah Nasildereen. It’s time however for former prep studs Cyrus Fagan, Carlos Becker, Isaiah Bolden to step up. Fagan and Becker have been a disappointment up to this point. Still have high hopes for them though. Also likely bringing in two top 5 safeties in Brendan Gant and Nick Cross. Coaches son Raymond Woodie is another to watch out for. We should be able to put together a good safety group. If not perhaps Woodbey moves back.
Overall Harlon Barnett has a lot to work with. There is no excuses for him not to field a top 25 defense in 2019. Honestly it should be elite based on the overall talent level, but I think that’s is being too optimistic based on how they performed in 2018. Just give me a solid, don’t break defense. Hold our opponents to less than 20 points a game and I will be satisfied.
Specialists Ricky Aguayo and Logan Tyler return for their senior years. Both should be really good. Tyler was booming punts at the end of the season.
Overall I expect FSU to improve to a 8-10 win team, especially considering the schedule gets easier in 2019. If FSU can’t get to a minimum of 7 wins than it’s probably time to go in another direction. Personally I think Willie gets in done and FSU wins 9+ games next season.
I have James Blackman pegged to be the starter and I think he can be very good. Latest reports sound like Deondre Francois might stick around. Nolan McDonald will likely be on scholarship too. Justin Fields is a transfer possibility. That would be an absolute game changer. We are also a possible destination for 4 star Lance Legendre, Plumlee, Louisville transfer or a seasoned grad transfer like the Delton from Kansas State.
Great news for the ground game is that Cam Akers returns and is in his “money year”. He has All-American potential if the line can open up holes. Former 5 star Khalan Laborn is coming back from injury and appears to be healthy. I believe he could be really special. That’s two 5 star backs. Amir Rasul and Anthony Grant are very solid backups. Zaquandre White could possibly move back as well. I really like this group.
FSU will be LOADED at WR with Tomorrion Terry, DJ Matthews, Tre’Shaun Harrison, Keyshawn Helton, Warren Thompson, Keith Gavin, George Campbell, Ontaria Wilson, Deonte Sheffield, Demarcus Adams, Jordan Young and signee Maurice Goolsby. There probably isn’t too many better groups in the country than this. We might also bring in big-time talent like Areji Henderson or George Pickens in the late signing period. Terry has 1st round potential in my opinion.
FSU will be strong at TE with Tre McKitty, Nasier Upshur, Camren McDonald, Alex Marshall, and Gabe Nabers. All bring different skills to the table. McKitty has all conference potential. Upshur starting making plays towards the end of the season. McDonald has a very high ceiling.
Clearly OL is the big question mark and concern. It has prohibited FSU from being a legit competitor the last several years. Getting Landon Dickerson back and healthy would be massive. When healthy he has All-American talent, but up to this point is just an injury waiting to happen. Cole Minshew and Mike Arnold return, although I think one of Baveon Johnson, Christian Meadows or Armstrong likely beats out Arnold. Brady Scott should be an upgrade over Eberle at center. FSU just signed stud Dontae Lucas and tomorrow might sign stud Will Putnam. Maurice Smith is a good center prospect. We look to be fairly strong on the interior. Definitely improved from 2017 and 18.
At tackle I am not sure what JUCO’s Jay Williams or possibly Kadeem Telfort will bring to the table. Hopefully one can be a solid starter. Maybe Jauan Williams, Jalen Goss or Chaz Neal develops, although I have my doubts. Goss seems to have the highest upside. Decent chance we keep Dickerson outside, or we might bring in a grad transfer at tackle. Dawand Jones could be a huge signing literally and figuratively. I think FSU improves from the worst OL in football to at least average. Possibly even above average if these JUCO’s or a freshman can play at a high level. That would make a world of difference. Depth should be much better this season too.
Overall I think the offense will improve, and with Kendall Briles it could possibly explode. We should be much better on offense than we were the last two season. I personally think it will be MUCH better.
On defense FSU brings back 5 star DE Josh Kaindoh and former prep blue chipper Janarious Robinson. Both are in their “money years”. I think they will be very good. Both Dennis Briggs and Xavier Peters showed promise in limited action and were big recruits themselves. Bringing in 4 stars Derrick McClendon, Quashan Fuller and Curtis Fann will help with depth. Also 3 star sleeper Malcolm Ray who is said by some insiders to be the best overall player in Dade county this class. That’s a strong group at DE.
At defensive tackle Marvin Wilson is in his money year. Time to live up to his #1 overall player billing. Has shown flashes. Cory Durden, trench monster Robert Cooper and Jalen Parks will be nice compliments to big Marvin. Perhaps Cedric Wood will develop too. He was a highly touted recruit. Malcom Lamar and Jamarcus Chatman were both 4 stars that redshirted. Expect them to challenge the two deep. Also bringing in Tru Thompson who could play early. Overall I think FSU will be improved along the DL despite the loss of sack master Brian Burns.
At linebacker Dontavious Jackson returns and will be the leader of the defense. He was a tackle machine towards the end of the season. 5 star Jaiden Woodbey was a freshman All-American and should be primed to explode in 2019. Amari Gainer or Leonard Warner will likely fill in at the third linebacker spot. Decalon Brooks, Adonis Thomas and Josh Brown are backups. Not expecting much there to be honest. Possibly sign JUCO stud Lakia Henry. He could likely contribute immediately. 4 star signees Jaleel McCrae, Kalen Deloach and sleeper Kevon Glenn could get early action as well.
FSU is LOADED at corner with Stanford Samuels, Asante Samuel, AJ Lytton, 5 star Levonta Taylor coming back from injury, and veteran Kyle Meyers. The hope is to bring in 5 star Akeem Dent, and local stud Travis Jay. Both are currently committed. Already signed two really good prep kids in Renardo Green, and Jarvis Brownlee. This should be one of the more talented returning corner groups and cornerback classes in the country. Combine those together and we we should be very, very good at corner in 2019.
FSU looks fairly strong at safety with tackle machine Hamsah Nasildereen. It’s time however for former prep studs Cyrus Fagan, Carlos Becker, Isaiah Bolden to step up. Fagan and Becker have been a disappointment up to this point. Still have high hopes for them though. Also likely bringing in two top 5 safeties in Brendan Gant and Nick Cross. Coaches son Raymond Woodie is another to watch out for. We should be able to put together a good safety group. If not perhaps Woodbey moves back.
Overall Harlon Barnett has a lot to work with. There is no excuses for him not to field a top 25 defense in 2019. Honestly it should be elite based on the overall talent level, but I think that’s is being too optimistic based on how they performed in 2018. Just give me a solid, don’t break defense. Hold our opponents to less than 20 points a game and I will be satisfied.
Specialists Ricky Aguayo and Logan Tyler return for their senior years. Both should be really good. Tyler was booming punts at the end of the season.
Overall I expect FSU to improve to a 8-10 win team, especially considering the schedule gets easier in 2019. If FSU can’t get to a minimum of 7 wins than it’s probably time to go in another direction. Personally I think Willie gets in done and FSU wins 9+ games next season.
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