Which 2015 FSU QB Commits Could Have the Earliest Impact?

There are currently a trio of 2015 FSU QB commits– here’s a look at who has the best shot at seeing the field early for the ‘Noles.

Although it is never fun to lose 17 players to graduation, tranfers, or to early entry into the draft, losing those players has freed up 17 spots for recruits in the 2015 class, which is currently a top 5 recruiting class that could remain No. 2 depending on how the final recruits fall in these last couple of weeks. Because the 2015-2016 FSU football squad will be so young and will have to replace many key players, there certainly will be room for some true freshmen to earn playing time.

Over the next couple of days, I will be evaluating the incoming recruits for next season and discussing which ones may have the best chance to see the field in the near future. In my opinion, it is quite possible that some of them will get some playing time as early as next season. In today’s entry, I discuss the incoming quarterbacks in the 2015 class and the impact they may have.

If all 3 current recruits keep their commitments to FSU, there will be 6 scholarship QBs on the roster for the 2015-2016 season. The three returning QBs are Sean Maguire, J.J. Cosentino, and John Franklin III.

The Returning Options

Maguire, a redshirt junior from Sparta, NJ, is the only returning quarterback with playing experience at FSU. Maguire played in mop-up duty during the 2013 season after Jacob Coker tore his ACL but he got his first career start in the 2014 season against Clemson when he had to replace Jameis Winston while he served his one game suspension. In that game, Maguire went 21-39 for 305 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.

Cosentino is entering his redshirt freshman season after sitting out the 2014 season. He was a consensus 4-star prospect out of Central Catholic High School in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and is more widely considered to be a pocket passer. His biggest claim to fame may be the video he posted this past summer of him throwing a football over a four-story apartment building.

John Franklin III is a rising redshirt sophomore who is the epitome of a dual-threat quarterback. In high school, he was clocked at 4.38 in the 40 yard dash, which is an incredibly good time for a QB (or anyone, for that matter). Since arriving at FSU, he has mainly been used on the scout team by using his speed to help the FSU defense prepare for Nick Marshall in 2013 as well as Marcus Mariota this past year. Franklin also is a sprinter on the FSU track team, competing in the 100-meter dash, 60-meter dash, and the 4×100-meter relay. Although Franklin has come under fire for his questionable accuracy and QB skills, his athleticism is undeniable, and that may be enough to get him some playing time.

Jan 2, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Team Armour quarterback De Andre Johnson (9) warms up before the start of the 2015 Under Armour All-America Game at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports

The New Blood

De’Andre Johnson was a very early commit to FSU, as he committed to the Seminoles in 2012, his sophomore year of high school, and he was the 2014 Mr. Football for the state of Florida, the award given to the best football player in the state (last year the award went to Dalvin Cook). Johnson is an early enrollee at FSU, having graduated from high school in December, is already taking classes at FSU, and will be eligible to participate in spring practices, an advantage that he has over the other FSU QB commits. This will also allow him to compete in the Garnet and Gold game this spring and will help him gain a better understanding of the FSU offensive playbook, which may be enough to put him ahead of the other true freshmen quarterbacks.

Jul 10, 2014; Beaverton, OR, USA; Land Shark quarterback Deondre Francois (14) passes the ball as he warms up during Nike Football

Deondre Francois made a verbal commitment to FSU this past summer but is still talking with and visiting UF and Miami, so it is possible that he will flip from FSU. If he does sign with the ‘Noles, he will be widely regarded as the most naturally skilled, physically talented quarterback in the Seminoles’ recruiting class. However, he will not have nearly as much time as Johnson does to grasp the playbook and offense, and that may hinder the likelihood of him being the opening weekend starter.

Kai Locksley has the ability to play wide receiver as well as quarterback, and that could be why he is still so heavily sought after, even after he gave his verbal commitment to FSU. Chances are that if Locksley stays with FSU, he will never see playing time at QB and should probably officially move to WR. This is not because he is untalented but more so because he is the lowest ranked out of the 3 quarterbacks who have committed in the 2015 class, and 2016 will see the arrival of Malik Henry.

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Verdict: First off, I do not believe that a true freshman will be starting at QB for Florida State on opening weekend. I am more inclined to think that a player with at least one full year of experience learning the offense will get the nod. Now will that starter be Maguire, Cosentino, or Franklin III? I have no clue, and I don’t think that anyone outside the program will know until summer is coming to a close.

That being said, I think that with the depth they will have at QB next season, Fisher and Randy Sanders will be more than willing to give someone else a chance if their first choice is not performing up to their standards, and that is where the door may be opened for a true freshman. If I had to choose which true freshman will be most likely to get non-garbage time minutes at QB this year, I would be inclined to say Francois because I think his skills will overpower the longer amount of time that Johnson has spent with the team as an early enrollee.

Tomorrow I will cover the incoming recruits at the skill positions and their chances of playing time for next season.

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