This is why I fully expect our offense to be much better in 2019 than it has been the last few years..
2018 was Willie Taggart’s first season at FSU, and we still had the stench of Jimbo’s ugly end of his tenure all over the football program. Our strength and conditioning had been terrible the last few years as well. This is now fully Coach Taggart's team and we also look to be in significantly better shape this year than we have the last few years.
Offensive Coordinator:
2018: Let’s face it, Walt Bell had no business ever being FSU’s offensive coordinator. He was brought in last minute because FSU was in a pinch and needed to hire someone fast to save our recruiting class. He clearly wasn’t qualified or ready for that job. He also didn’t get along with Taggart as the season progressed and was politely asked to leave after one season.
2019: FSU has since hired Kendall Briles who is perhaps the best OC in the entire country. Definitely top 10. His offense has lit up everywhere he has coached. This reason alone is enough for our fanbase to be VERY excited.
OL and OL coach:
2018: Greg Frey also wasn’t a proven coach, and wasn’t on the same page with Walt Bell as they had never coached together before. He also inherited a line that had just prematurely lost 6 guys (Josh Ball, Brock Ruble, Andrew Boselli, Corey Martinez, David Robbins, Ethan Frith). We then lost our best player Landon Dickerson in the VT game for most of the 2019 season. Starters Alec Eberle, Derrick Kelly, Cole Minshew, and Jauan Williams played hurt the entire season. Eberle was playing on two bad hips and Williams was fresh off shoulder surgery. He was weighing in the 270’s and couldn’t bench more than 225. It got so bad a 4th string DT Arthur Williams was stating at guard and a undersized freshman guard Brady Scott starting at tackle. We didn’t have the same starting lineup at OL the entire year. It was a perfect recipe for the worst line in all of college football. Frey was also politely asked to leave.
2019: Newly hired Randy Clements is respected as one of the best OL coaches in the country and has coached with Briles at every stop. They have great chemistry together. Baveon Johnson who was once ranked as the nations top center has stepped up as a team leader. Former 4 star tackle Jauan Williams is fully recovered from shoulder surgery, and is up 40 pounds to 315. Brady Scott is now at his natural position of guard and is up 30 pounds. FSU also gained a decent grad transfer at tackle in Ryan Roberts with multiple years of starting experience and have two behemoths at guard in Mike Arnold and freshman man-child Dontae Lucas. Andrew Boselli is also back on the team. FSU also has much better depth in 2019 with the likes of Christian Meadows, Christian Armstrong, Boselli, Maurice Smith, Ira Henry, Darius Washington, Abdul Bello, Jalen Goss, Chaz Neal.
Quarterback:
2018: FSU had Deondre Francois playing QB. He was fresh off an ACL tear and couldn’t run like he once had been able to. Mobility was a huge part of his game. He also had a terrible attitude and was apparently a cancer in the locker room. He had several disputes and was asked to leave the team. He was also being coach by Walt Bell.
2019: FSU has 2017 starter James Blackman who apparently has a great attitude, is a great leader, and loved by his teammates. Blackman is much taller than Francois at 6 foot 5, and is almost 200 pounds now. Far bigger than his 160 frame that he had as a freshman. He also has a great deep ball which is big in Briles offense. He looked very good in limited action in 2018, and played well as a true freshman, considering his youth, size and the line he had blocking for him. Kid proved he is very tough. Now the unquestioned leader of the team. Something we have seriously lacked.
Tailback:
2018: Cam Akers was injured on the very first play of the VT game and apparently played hurt the entire season. Khalan Laborn was lost for the entire season in that game as well with an ACL tear. Cam not only was hurt, but also played behind the worst line in school history.
2019: Laborn is now back, and he and Akers should finally be healthy. Both are former 5 star studs that should have big years. Both could be playing for NFL paychecks. Anthony Grant should be a very good third back as well. They should be running behind a much better line as well (see above).
Wide Receiver and WR Coach:
2018: Coach Kelly was helping out by coaching WR’s because FSU wasn’t able to secure getting Ron Dugans to come over from Miami. Tomorrion Terry, Keyshawn Helton, Tre’Shaun Harrison were playing for the first time at the college level. Nyqwan Murray was also apparently a cancer in the locker room.
2019: Ron Dugans has come back to his alma mater to coach. He has shown he is more than capable at both Louisville and Miami. Additionally, Murray and his bad attitude are off the team. Terry has stepped up as one of the best WR’s in the country. Upperclassman Keith Gavin and DJ Matthews are both playing to get drafted/paid. Harrison and Helton have a year under their belts and should be great in the slot. Also adding stud freshman Warren Thompson and Jordan Young to the mix.
Tight End:
2018: Tre McKitty was starting for the first time. He played fairly well, but was a little weak in the blocking department.
2019: McKitty now has a year under his belt, and has gained some bulk to hopefully improve his blocking. We also have good depth with young stud Cam McDonald and physical senior Gabe Nabers.
Conclusion:
Above are the main reasons FSU’s offense will be much better in 2019 than it was in 2018 or 2017. The defense is still a big question mark, but it’s fully loaded with 4 and 5 star talent. Make or break it year for Harlon Barnett. I personally think he gets it done.
Overall I fully expect FSU’s offensive improvement to easily add 2-3 more wins in 2019. If the defense can step up, there is no reason we can’t be a top 25 team this season.
2018 was Willie Taggart’s first season at FSU, and we still had the stench of Jimbo’s ugly end of his tenure all over the football program. Our strength and conditioning had been terrible the last few years as well. This is now fully Coach Taggart's team and we also look to be in significantly better shape this year than we have the last few years.
Offensive Coordinator:
2018: Let’s face it, Walt Bell had no business ever being FSU’s offensive coordinator. He was brought in last minute because FSU was in a pinch and needed to hire someone fast to save our recruiting class. He clearly wasn’t qualified or ready for that job. He also didn’t get along with Taggart as the season progressed and was politely asked to leave after one season.
2019: FSU has since hired Kendall Briles who is perhaps the best OC in the entire country. Definitely top 10. His offense has lit up everywhere he has coached. This reason alone is enough for our fanbase to be VERY excited.
OL and OL coach:
2018: Greg Frey also wasn’t a proven coach, and wasn’t on the same page with Walt Bell as they had never coached together before. He also inherited a line that had just prematurely lost 6 guys (Josh Ball, Brock Ruble, Andrew Boselli, Corey Martinez, David Robbins, Ethan Frith). We then lost our best player Landon Dickerson in the VT game for most of the 2019 season. Starters Alec Eberle, Derrick Kelly, Cole Minshew, and Jauan Williams played hurt the entire season. Eberle was playing on two bad hips and Williams was fresh off shoulder surgery. He was weighing in the 270’s and couldn’t bench more than 225. It got so bad a 4th string DT Arthur Williams was stating at guard and a undersized freshman guard Brady Scott starting at tackle. We didn’t have the same starting lineup at OL the entire year. It was a perfect recipe for the worst line in all of college football. Frey was also politely asked to leave.
2019: Newly hired Randy Clements is respected as one of the best OL coaches in the country and has coached with Briles at every stop. They have great chemistry together. Baveon Johnson who was once ranked as the nations top center has stepped up as a team leader. Former 4 star tackle Jauan Williams is fully recovered from shoulder surgery, and is up 40 pounds to 315. Brady Scott is now at his natural position of guard and is up 30 pounds. FSU also gained a decent grad transfer at tackle in Ryan Roberts with multiple years of starting experience and have two behemoths at guard in Mike Arnold and freshman man-child Dontae Lucas. Andrew Boselli is also back on the team. FSU also has much better depth in 2019 with the likes of Christian Meadows, Christian Armstrong, Boselli, Maurice Smith, Ira Henry, Darius Washington, Abdul Bello, Jalen Goss, Chaz Neal.
Quarterback:
2018: FSU had Deondre Francois playing QB. He was fresh off an ACL tear and couldn’t run like he once had been able to. Mobility was a huge part of his game. He also had a terrible attitude and was apparently a cancer in the locker room. He had several disputes and was asked to leave the team. He was also being coach by Walt Bell.
2019: FSU has 2017 starter James Blackman who apparently has a great attitude, is a great leader, and loved by his teammates. Blackman is much taller than Francois at 6 foot 5, and is almost 200 pounds now. Far bigger than his 160 frame that he had as a freshman. He also has a great deep ball which is big in Briles offense. He looked very good in limited action in 2018, and played well as a true freshman, considering his youth, size and the line he had blocking for him. Kid proved he is very tough. Now the unquestioned leader of the team. Something we have seriously lacked.
Tailback:
2018: Cam Akers was injured on the very first play of the VT game and apparently played hurt the entire season. Khalan Laborn was lost for the entire season in that game as well with an ACL tear. Cam not only was hurt, but also played behind the worst line in school history.
2019: Laborn is now back, and he and Akers should finally be healthy. Both are former 5 star studs that should have big years. Both could be playing for NFL paychecks. Anthony Grant should be a very good third back as well. They should be running behind a much better line as well (see above).
Wide Receiver and WR Coach:
2018: Coach Kelly was helping out by coaching WR’s because FSU wasn’t able to secure getting Ron Dugans to come over from Miami. Tomorrion Terry, Keyshawn Helton, Tre’Shaun Harrison were playing for the first time at the college level. Nyqwan Murray was also apparently a cancer in the locker room.
2019: Ron Dugans has come back to his alma mater to coach. He has shown he is more than capable at both Louisville and Miami. Additionally, Murray and his bad attitude are off the team. Terry has stepped up as one of the best WR’s in the country. Upperclassman Keith Gavin and DJ Matthews are both playing to get drafted/paid. Harrison and Helton have a year under their belts and should be great in the slot. Also adding stud freshman Warren Thompson and Jordan Young to the mix.
Tight End:
2018: Tre McKitty was starting for the first time. He played fairly well, but was a little weak in the blocking department.
2019: McKitty now has a year under his belt, and has gained some bulk to hopefully improve his blocking. We also have good depth with young stud Cam McDonald and physical senior Gabe Nabers.
Conclusion:
Above are the main reasons FSU’s offense will be much better in 2019 than it was in 2018 or 2017. The defense is still a big question mark, but it’s fully loaded with 4 and 5 star talent. Make or break it year for Harlon Barnett. I personally think he gets it done.
Overall I fully expect FSU’s offensive improvement to easily add 2-3 more wins in 2019. If the defense can step up, there is no reason we can’t be a top 25 team this season.
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