Grading the Seminoles: What are Florida State’s strengths and weaknesses for the 2022 season?
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College football 2022 season preview
The Mario Cristobal era has officially begun at the University of Miami after the Hurricanes threw a boatload of cash at the former Oregon coach in the hopes the former UM standout will be able to help Miami return to its glory days.
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The Florida State Seminoles enter the third year with Mike Norvell as their coach. Back-to-back losing seasons under Norvell have come while he’s trying to restore the program’s winning culture.
Now is the time for the Noles to start producing wins and get back to a bowl game.
Here’s how the team looks by position with grades for each:
Quarterbacks | A-
Going 5-2 in his past seven starts, Jordan Travis cemented himself as Mike Norvell’s guy. A West Palm Beach native, Travis is a redshirt junior who possesses tons of talent. But the lone drawback is he has only played in 22 games despite being at FSU since 2019. If healthy throughout the course of the season, the dual-threat Travis is expected to lead the Noles in passing and rushing.
His scrambling ability causes mayhem for opposing defenses with a program-record 1,317 rushing yards to date. Tate Rodemaker and AJ Duffy are also in the quarterback room.
Running Backs | B+
The backfield is not short on talent. And despite losing CJ Campbell to an undisclosed season-ending injury in August, the Seminoles boast a stacked running back room. Treshaun Ward led the Atlantic Coast Conference with 6.36 yards per carry last season, and returns this season as a Doak Walker Award candidate.
But Ward isn’t the only talented back for the Noles. Trey Benson transferred from Oregon as a redshirt sophomore and was once a four-star prospect.
“We are excited to bring Trey into our Nole Family,” Norvell said, according to Seminoles.com. “He has a remarkable combination of size and speed. Trey’s made a tremendous, full recovery from a knee injury that limited his availability his first two college seasons. He is an explosive, powerful, big running back who can be showcased in our offense.”
Lawrence Toafili rounds out the running back group.
Wide Receivers | C
This group shares the spotlight with the tight ends and offensive line as falling short of expectations the past few seasons. Simply put, they have to be better. Sophomore Malik McClain played every game last year, while starting in nine of the 12. There’s also Ontaria “Pokey” Wilson, Keyshawn Helton, Ja’khi Douglas, Darion Willamson, Kentron Poitier and Josh Burrell as returning players.
Add in Winston Wright Jr., Mycah Pittman, Johnny Wilson and Deuce Spann, and FSU has tons of players who are competing for reps on the field. The unit needs to produce rather than how they’ve trended for a few seasons.
Tight Ends | C+
Like the receivers, the tight ends group is a maligned unit. And just like the receivers, the tight ends must produce this season for FSU to start turning toward a winning season.
Camren McDonald, a redshirt senior, was named to the Mackey Award preseason watch list. It’s the second straight season that has happened for McDonald. In 2021, he had 24 receptions for 243 yards and two touchdowns. The amount of catches and touchdowns ranked second on the team, providing an example of how starved FSU has been in the passing game with its receiving corps.
Also in the group are: Preston Daniel, Markeston Douglas, Wyatt Rector and Jackson West.
Offensive Line | C
Terrible. Awful. Atrocious. Doesn’t matter which word you choose to describe Florida State’s offensive line over the past few seasons, but it’s apt as to how the O-line has been since former coach Jimbo Fisher left for Texas A&M. When Norvell was hired, a key focus in the rebuild was FSU’s offensive line, which was one of the worst in the country at the time of his arrival.
Last season, they were depleted in depth but this season brings optimism that they are remedying that. An additional 10 offensive lineman on scholarship were added, with four coming via the transfer portal.
It’s a group needing to provide protection for Travis to flourish as well as opening holes in the running game.
Robert Scott Jr., Dillan Gibbons, Darius Washington, D’Mitri Emmanuel, Jazston Turentine and Bless Harris are expected to fight for starting spots on the O-line this season. But until there is proof the depth is here and performance happens, it’s an average grade for this group.
Defensive Line | A
On the flip side to the offensive line, the defensive line was stout in 2021. FSU was buoyed in the trenches by NFL Draft first-round pick Jermaine Johnson as well as Keir Thomas.
Fabian Lovett was also a key piece in one of the top defensive lines in the Atlantic Coast Conference and nation. He’s back as a leader in the group.
Additionally, Derrick Mclendon II and Robert Cooper are also returning. They’re joined by newcomer Jared Verse, who transferred from Albany.
FSU will likely have three at the front of its defense as a base and will relying on it as an anchor once again. And it’s a group that is the best unit on the team.
Linebackers | B-
The defensive line and secondary feature proven leaders from last season, while the linebackers have returners looking to take the group to the next level.
If FSU can manage an improvement in the second level of its defense, while maintaining a force in the trenches and back end, then the Noles are set up to have one of the best defenses in the country.
Kalen DeLoach, Amari Gainer, DJ Lundy and Brendan Gant return, while UCF transfer Tatum Bethune and freshman Omar Graham Jr. are newcomers in the linebacker room.
Defensive Backs | B
Utilizing a nickle to pair with the field and boundary corners in its system, FSU ranked 55th in the country in passing efficiency defense in 2021. Defensive coordinator Adam Fuller is either using another linebacker or a defensive back, depending on the package, in his scheme when it comes to a fifth defensive back on the field.
All-ACC first-team safety Jammie Robinson returns to anchor the secondary with safety Akeem Dent. The team possesses several returners fighting for minutes that should help with depth at corner and safety, including Renardo Green, Omarion Cooper and Kevin Knowles II.
Special Teams B
When he was at Memphis, Norvell’s teams were solid in special teams. It wasn’t the case in 2021 for the Noles, where the return and coverage units didn’t amount to much.
Ryan Fitzgerald will need to be consistent in 2022 as the team’s placekicker, while Alex Mastromanno enters 2022 with a streak of 93 straight punts without a touchback.
Helton, Wilson, Douglas and Pittman are receivers who are part of the return game.
This story was originally published August 26, 2022 at 1:52 PM.
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