FSU Season Preview: The Seminole Offense

Nov 30, 2013; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles head coach Jimbo Fisher and offensive linesman Cameron Erving (75) talk with the referee against the Florida Gators during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Florida State Seminoles defeated the Florida Gators 37-7. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Offensive Line

FSU’s offensive line should be the strength of the entire offense. Five seniors — Cam Erving, Josue Matias, Austin Barron, Tre Jackson and Bobby Hart — will be starting. All five have started games in past seasons, the group has played together for a few years now and they should have little problem protecting Jameis Winston while also paving the way for Karlos Williams and company.

Frankly, you would be hard-pressed to find a better group at offensive line anywhere in the country.

Cam Erving — who was given a late first round grade last offseason — returns for his senior year to anchor the line at left tackle. The two guards, Matias and Jackson, are ranked second and fifth in the country respectively by NFLDraftScout.com and CBS. Bobby Hart is likely to move to guard at the next level, but reprises his role as the right tackle for the second straight season.

The lone new starter — Austin Barron, who is rated as the 10th best center in the nation by CBS — has made starts before and has plenty of familiarity with the other guys on the line. If there’s one spot Jimbo Fisher would like to get a little bit bigger, it’s probably at center, but Barron enters the season with the starting job and should keep it as long as he plays up to snuff.

Unlike last year though — when the depth behind the starters was tenuous at best — Florida State has some talented young players ready to step in should anyone go down or falter. Wilson Bell would likely be a starter at dozens of other schools this season, but will instead provide key depth for the Seminoles this year. The redshirt freshman has a prototypical build to play tackle and impressed this past Spring when given opportunities.

Beyond Bell, newcomers Kareem Are (6-6, 325) and Roderick Johnson (6-7, 330) have both turned heads since arriving on campus. Are, a JuCo transfer, enrolled early and had a solid Spring, while Johnson — who might be the biggest true freshman I’ve ever seen — has continued to look solid at Fall camp. Both should provide excellent depth this season.

OL Rick Trickett has a group of maulers on the offensive line this season and they should be a lot of fun to watch. Most fans follow the ball when they watch. This year, with this group, it’s worth watching the trench-play occasionally — because that will be where FSU wins its games.