FSU Season Preview: The Seminole Offense

Oct 19, 2013; Clemson, SC, USA; Florida State Seminoles tight end Nick O’Leary (35) carries the ball while being defended by Clemson Tigers defensive back Bashaud Breeland (17) during the first half at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports

Tight Ends

Nick O’Leary is already the most prolific tight end to come through Florida State. Admittedly, there aren’t a ton of great pass-catching tight ends in the school’s history, but O’Leary finds himself atop that short list heading into 2014 with a chance to cement that status for years to come with another big season.

Last year, O’Leary accounted for 557 yards and seven TD’s. More importantly — and this is a good litmus test for who has been watching the Seminoles and who just started last year — O’Leary stopped trying to leap over defenders and started barreling through them like the 6-3, 247-pound freight train of a tight end he actually is. With Shaw and Benjamin gone, and FSU testing new receivers in their place, O’Leary will likely function as Jameis Winston’s safety valve even more this year. Couple that with an emphasis on Winston taking the check-downs when presented, and you could see O’Leary get up near 1,000 yards receiving this season.

The senior provides an excellent target, he’s tough after the catch and he’s an extremely underrated blocker at this point in his career. Of all the draft-eligible targets Winston has to throw to this season, look for O’Leary to go the highest in the NFL Draft next Spring.

Behind O’Leary, Kevin Haplea is finally healthy and ready to contribute. Haplea played sparingly two years ago after transferring from Penn State in the wake of the Sandusky scandal, but an injury forced him to miss all of last year. This year the redshirt senior tight end is healthy and should fit nicely into two tight end sets as a blocker.

But the player drawing the most interest at the position — beyond O’Leary, of course — is true freshman Mavin Saunders. It’s possible the 6-6, 250-pounder might not even play at all this year (he was with the scout team on Thursday and could end up redshirting), but his size and potential are jaw-dropping.