FSU football is looking at themselves first when it comes to taking responsibility as they turn the page to the start of the Willie Taggart era.
As the 14 teams that make up the Atlantic Coast Conference gathered in North Carolina this week for the annual two day ACC Kickoff media event, each team’s two players and coach representatives talked about the upcoming season and what they see for the upcoming year. For the FSU football team, it seemed like they were getting a bonus every time one subject came up.
From their time on the podium to individual interviews, running back Cam Akers along with defensive end Brian Burns and head coach Willie Taggart were quick to bring up how this year’s Seminole team is holding each other more accountable for being focused, disciplined, excepting responsibility for the past and the future.
After a season in 2017 that could have seen the Noles fall apart beyond repair, all three representatives for FSU football talked about how the culture has changed within the program and how there is a bond and togetherness in knowing that everyone is going to make sure that you are doing the right thing for yourself and the Seminoles.
ACCOUNTABILITY.
— ACC Digital Network (@theACCDN) July 19, 2018
There's a new energy surrounding @FSUFootball under new head coach Willie Taggart, and the #Noles are ready to get going. #ACCKickoff pic.twitter.com/w5k0moxy0K
"“Coach Taggart has brought a new wave,” Burns said during Thursday’s session. “He’s bringing enthusiasm. He’s making everybody hold themselves accountable, responsibility, no excuses for anything, whether it’s missing a class, weight room, it doesn’t matter. There’s no excuses for anything, and he’s really changing our guys, and I’m really appreciating him…”"
Since Taggart took over the Seminoles in December, there has been plenty made about how there is a new feel inside the FSU football program – players are seemingly happier to be a part of things and that sense of accountability is the one that that will help this program get back to being a championship team.
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The biggest question left is how accountable everyone will keep each other if things, God forbid, fall off the rails and the Seminoles look at another seven win season in 2018. It’s easy to buy into things when everything is going good, but the Noles need to make sure that accountability and mutual respect sticks around even if the season doesn’t end in the College Football Playoff.