FLORIDA STATE SEMINOLES
2013 College Football Early Preview
OFFENSE - 7
------RETURNING STARTERS------
DEFENSE - 4
KEY LOSSES
OFFENSE: EJ Manuel-QB, Lonnie Pryor-FB, Chris Thompson-TB, Rodney Smith-WR, Dustin Hopkins-K, Menelik Watson-OT (NFL)
DEFENSE: Everett Dawkins-DT, Anthony McCloud-DT, Cornellius Carradine-DE, Nick Moody-LB, Vince Williams-LB, Xavier Rhodes-CB (NFL), Bjoern Werner-DE (NFL)
WR Rashad Greene
Offensive Line / Secondary

It was the close of 2011 when all signs pointed to this young offensive line being special. That time is now. Every starter returns and these are no longer fresh-faced newcomers. Xavier Rhodes may leave early for the NFL, but this secondary is stockpiled with the best high quality speed athletes recruiting can find.

Quarterback / Defensive Front

Good or bad, the EJ Manuel experiment is over. A heated three man race will be in store to find the man behind center between Trickett, Coker and Winston. No one is quite sure yet what this will do for the Seminole offense. There is always plenty of talented athletes waiting in the wings defensively. And the Noles will need it. If Bjoern Werner scoots for the NFL the entire starting cast on the front seven is gone outside of linebacker Christian Jones.

DE Bjoern Werner
- declared for NFL -
* DEPTH CHARTS were only designed as a simplistic gauge for listing players that departed and players that received the most playing experience (consistent starters). NationalChamps.net recognizes the importance of missing personnel data not listed such as redshirts, transfers, injuries, incoming recruits, back ups and alternates. Their coverage will begin with our full 2013 Preseason Preview due out this coming spring.
FLORIDA STATE 2013 DEPTH CHART (updated Jan. 7)
Returning Starters/
Key Players
OFFENSE
QB Clint Trickett-Jr Jacob Coker-So / Jameis Winston-RFr
RB Devonta Freeman-Jr James Wilder-Jr
WR Rashad Greene-Jr Willie Haulstead-Sr
WR Greg Dent-Sr Kelvin Benjamin-So
WR Kenny Shaw-Sr Jarred Haggins-Sr / Christian Green-Jr
TE Nick O'Leary-Jr Kevin Haplea-Sr
OT Cameron Erving-Jr ..
OG Josue Matias-Jr ..
C Bryan Stork-Sr Austin Barron-Jr
OG Tre' Jackson-Jr ..
OT .. ..
K .. ..
 
FLORIDA STATE 2013 DEPTH CHART (updated Jan. 7)
Returning Starters/
Key Players
DEFENSE
DE Giorgia Newberry-So ..
DT Demonte McAllister-Sr Eddie Goldman-So
DT Timmy Jernigan-Jr Nile Lawrence-Stample-So
DE Mario Edwards-So ..
SLB Terrance Smith-So ..
MLB Telvin Smith-Sr ..
WLB Christian Jones-Sr Reggie Northrup-So
CB Keelin Smith-So ..
CB Nick Waisome-Jr Ronald Darby-So
SS Lamarcus Joyner-Sr Tyler Hunter-Jr
FS Terrence Brooks-Sr Karlos Williams-Jr
P Cason Beatty-So ..
QUICK TAKES

    12/18/12

  • The QB situation will be a major factor heading into 2013. Clint Trickett, the son of offensive line coach Rick Trickett, is the early front runner based on his experience spelling an injured EJ Manuel the past two seasons. Dual-threat Jameis Winston may be the wild card in this formula. The redshirt freshman was the nation's top quarterback prospect in class of 2012 and the Gatorade Player of The Year in Alabama.
  • The running game looked to be on the right track in 2012 before getting derailed at times when meeting quality defenses. If there is one aspect FSU coaches seemingly rarely grasp it's the running game. This is a slow developing, east-west attack that seems to be killing the offense, especially in short yardage situations. Devonta Freeman and James Wilder are top flight running backs. The offensive line is full of experienced veterans. If the running game stalls in 2013 it could be a long season.
  • Injuries wreaked havoc on the defensive side in 2012, especially at defensive end. No problem at FSU where depth can kill. This formula will get put to the 2013 test in a major way as much of the defensive front seven will move on. The next great defensive stalwart is sophomore Mario Edwards.
  • Florida State ranked 3rd nationally in pass defense. Every starter is currently an underclassmen. Xavier Rhodes is NFL ready. Lamarcus Joyner was an All-Conference selection and Ronald Darby was voted the ACC's top defensive rookie.
  • The issues holding FSU back are offensive. It may be time for Head Coach Jimbo Fisher to relieve himself as the offensive coordinator. The second half shut outs posted by lowly regarded NC State and Georgia Tech defenses make no sense at all. There is no identity for this offense.
  • The turnover factor crushed this team down the stretch. Most of those were at the hands of EJ Manuel. The turnover margin has to change for FSU to climb in the polls.
  • The 2013 schedule looks to be no more daunting than the one the BCS computers disapproved of in 2012.

 

FLORIDA STATE 2013 SCHEDULE

Aug. 31 - Wofford
Sept. 21 - Nevada
Nov. 23 - Idaho
Nov. 30 - at Florida
CONFERENCE GAMES TBA