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FSU Football: Writer thinks receivers are biggest question mark for ‘Noles

By Kelvin Hunt

Dec 30, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Nyqwan Murray (80) leaps up to make a touchdown catch in front of Michigan Wolverines safety Dymonte Thomas (25) during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Nyqwan Murray (80) leaps up to make a touchdown catch in front of Michigan Wolverines safety Dymonte Thomas (25) during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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FSU football has a stacked roster of talent on both sides of the ball. However, one writer thinks the receivers could be a weak link for the ‘Noles.

The ‘Noles have fewer questions going into the 2017 season. They have a proven quarterback, nasty defensive line and one of the most talented secondaries in college football.

We took a look at some concerns for FSU football coming out of spring practice. We felt special teams, offensive line and wide receiver depth were key issues to address.

Bleacherreport.com writer Kerry Miller thinks FSU’s receivers are a big question mark going into the season.

Check his thoughts below:

Glass Half Empty

"Four players recorded at least 30 receptions last season for Florida State: Travis Rudolph (56), Kermit Whitfield (34), Dalvin Cook (33) and Jesus Wilson (30).One other trait those four players share is that they won’t be suiting up for the Seminoles in 2017, leaving a Heisman candidate at quarterback (Deondre Francois) with limited proven targets.Moreover, the coaching staff did minimal recruiting to prepare for this transition. Keith Gavin was the only wide receiver the Seminoles signed in 2016, and he didn’t have a single catch last year.They’ll be forced to put a lot of faith in guys like Gavin, George Campbell and Da’Vante Phillips who barely saw the field last season, if at all."

Glass Half Full

"Nyqwan Murray and Auden Tate each finished last season with at least 25 receptions, 400 yards and five touchdowns, so the cupboard isn’t completely barren.Tight ends Ryan Izzo and Mavin Saunders are also back in the picture after combining for 29 receptions and 409 yards.So, it’s really just a matter of finding a third- and fourth-best wide receiver, which shouldn’t be that tough with a quarterback this good.Neither Murray nor Tate was a key cog in the offense in 2015, but Francois helped turn them both into serviceable players now ready to make the leap into starting roles. Perhaps he can do the same for Gavin and others."

Thoughts

I raised my eyebrow at the last sentence in the “glass half empty” section, but we have to remember these writers often only see these teams play like twice a year.

Mostly they look at stats from the previous season and draw conclusions. If you watched FSU football last season, Auden Tate and Nyqwan Murray will be impact players in 2017.

Yes, Wilson and Whitfield are no longer there, but both players were extremely small receivers. It’s true Keith Gavin didn’t catch a single pass last season, but he saw significant playing time.

He played big minutes in the Orange Bowl and he’s 6 feet 3 inches tall. That will give Deondre Francois another huge target which should improve his accuracy.

Gavin was one of the top receivers in his recruiting class.

As the writer mentioned, the tight ends have a wealth of experience and will be solid contributors.

The problem isn’t who’s going to catch passes, it’s will the players listed be able to stay healthy all season? If so, there will be no issues in the passing game unless the offensive line sucks.

Next: Top 3 Concerns Coming Out of Spring Camp

However, if an injury to Tate, Murray or Gavin occurs, FSU football will have a serious question to answer at receiver.

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