Offensive Players to Watch in FSU Spring Game

Part 1 of my FSU Spring Game preview dealing with the offensive players to watch this weekend.

Although spring practice has been underway for almost a month, the FSU Spring Game, which will take place this Saturday, March 11th in Doak Campbell Stadium, symbolizes the start of the next season for many Florida State fans. Here are some of the offensive players to watch in this weekend’s intra-squad Spring Game.

Sep 20, 2014; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles quarterback Sean Maguire (10) looks to throw the ball during the game against the Clemson Tigers at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports

1. Sean Maguire (Junior Quarterback)

Maguire, who has taken nearly all of the 1st team reps in spring practice so far, seems poised to be FSU’s starting quarterback for next season. However, some fans are still holding out hope that J.J. Cosentino, John Franklin, De’Andre Johnson, or even Deondre Francois, who is not even on campus yet, will win the starting job as they believe that Maguire is not the future of FSU. In his one game as a starter last year, Maguire went 21-39 for 309 yards with 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions in Florida State’s victory over Clemson. On Saturday, Maguire will get the chance to show why he deserves to be the heir to Jameis Winston and earn the respect of Seminole fans.

Oct 11, 2014; Syracuse, NY, USA; Florida State Seminoles running back Dalvin Cook (4) runs with the ball in front of Syracuse Orange defensive end Robert Welsh (94) during the first quarter at the Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

2. Dalvin Cook (Sophomore Running Back)

Cook quite possibly the best freshman running back campaign in Florida State history last season when he rushed for 1008 yards and 8 touchdowns. He was the first freshman in FSU program history to rush for 1,000 yards and only the 9th freshman in NCAA history to break 1,000 yards. However, many Florida State fans will remember Cook’s multiple fumbles in the 3rd quarter of the Rose Bowl loss to Oregon most vividly. Cook is definitely ready to get back out there and put that game behind him, saying in an interview recently that, “All of the mistakes that happened in that game, I just feel like it fueled me more”. Expect Cook to be a large part of the offense this weekend as well as this season while a first-year starting quarterback adjusts to playing at the collegiate level.

Jan 2, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Team Armour running back Jacques Patrick (6) watches his team play during the second half of the 2015 Under Armour All-America Game at Tropicana Field. Team Highlight defeated Team Armour 46-6. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports

3. Jacques Patrick (Freshman Running Back)

Patrick, an early enrollee who will be a true freshman this Fall, has already made a big impact at FSU’s spring practices. At 6’1″, 233 pounds, Patrick adds a different element to the Seminoles’ running game, bringing the powerful, running defenders over style that has been missing since James Wilder Jr.’s departure. Fellow players are already paying Patrick high compliments in interviews, including fellow RB Dalvin Cook who sang Patrick’s praises in an interview, “I see he can do it all. One man ain’t gonna tackle him. For a freshman to come in like that and do what he did in his first scrimmage, it was good. I like it.” Patrick could challenge Mario Pender for the #2 tailback spot behind Cook and could be the 2nd Florida State freshman running back to get significant touches in as many years.

Jul 9, 2014; Beaverton, OR, USA; Alpha Pro wide receiver George Campbell (11) smiles as he heads to the sidelines during Nike Football

4. George Campbell (Freshman Wide Receiver)

Campbell, a 5-star early enrollee who will be a true freshman in the Fall, definitely has the potential to have an impact on the field early in his time at Florida State. He has been used in practices so far this Spring alongside Ja’Vonn Harrison, Travis Rudolph, and Ermon Lane. The spring game will be a big chance for Campbell to earn the support of a fanbase and coaching staff that is looking for a new star after losing Rashad Greene, a top-3 wide receiver in FSU history.

Sep 6, 2014; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Ermon Lane (1) cuts through the Citadel Bulldogs secondary during the third quarter at Doak Campbell Stadium. Florida State defeated Citadel 37-12. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

5. Ermon Lane (Sophomore Wide Receiver)

Lane, originally out of Homestead High School in Homestead, FL, is one of three returning receivers who saw a significant number of playing time last season along with Travis Rudolph and Jesus “Bobo” Wilson. Lane and Rudolph are both entering their sophomore seasons and although both were highly touted recruits a year ago, Lane was the more highly desired recruit, a unanimous 5-star across all boards. However, Rudolph outshined Lane on the field last year with Rudolph bringing in 38 catches for 555 yards and 4 touchdowns while Lane had just 13 catches for 267 yards and 1 touchdown. This spring game could be the start of the next level for Lane’s career as the #1 receiver spot on the depth chart is up for grabs and certainly will be well into the summer.

6. Tight End Position Battle

Entering the 2015 season, the tight end depth chart for the Seminoles is wide open. Both of the tight ends who received a decent amount of playing time last season, Nick O’Leary and Kevin Haplea, have graduated and moved on. That leaves Ryan Izzo, Mavin Saunders, and Jeremy Kerr to duke it out for the starting tight end job for the 2015-2016 season. The spring game will be the first public look at the Florida State tight ends competing for that spot and could be a chance for any of those 3 to rise to the occasion and make their case on a relatively big stage.

More from Chop Chat

Among many other players, these are a few of the players who it is worth keeping an eye on for FSU’s Spring Game, which takes place this Saturday at 2 PM. As usual, the spring game should be a good view at which players will start on opening weekend for the Seminoles against Texas State.

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