FSU Football: Three Noles named to preseason watch lists

FSU football is preparing for fall camp to begin in a couple of weeks and a few players have been announced to watch lists for some prestigious awards.

It’s nothing new for FSU football to have players announced to the preseason watch lists of several national awards.

The 2018 season will be no different as Brian Burns has been named to the preseason watch list for the Bednarik Award.

That’s an award given to the best defensive player in college football as voted on by Maxwell Football Club and amazingly a FSU player have never won this award.

Deondre Francois and Cam Akers have been named to the preseason watch list for the Maxwell Award. It’s the award given to the best all-around player in college football.

Former FSU QB great Charlie Ward is the only Nole to win this award in 1993.

Thoughts

It’s great to have these players get some recognition and can also help with FSU football recruiting.

I thought Levonta Taylor might have gotten recognized as he’s one of the better defensive backs on college football.

It’s crazy Deondre Francois is on the Maxwell Watch List and he may not even start in 2018. There’s a real shot James Blackman could win the starting job.

However, Francois did have a solid 2016 season and was ACC Offensive Player of the Year.

I’m not surprised Cam Akers was listed as he had a strong campaign as a true freshman in 2017. The fact Willie Taggart’s offense is built around the run game means Akers should have a monster season provided he doesn’t have to split too many carries with Jacques Patrick and other running backs.

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Hopefully one of these players can break through and put the Noles back on the map with these two awards since it’s been 25 years since Charlie Ward won the Maxwell.