FSU Football: Willie Taggart tells truth about FSU QB competition

FSU football coach Willie Taggart addressed the media Sunday morning and expounded on a variety of topics including the QB competition.

One of the biggest questions for FSU football is who will be the starting quarterback in the season opener against Virginia Tech.

The Noles are in a much better position than in years past with two quarterbacks with a year of starting experience and another who has a redshirt year under his belt.

Coach Willie Taggart was asked if he was ready to name a starter after the first situational scrimmage that took place Saturday. Of course answer was “nope” and why would he name a starter at this point?

The game is still weeks away and naming a starter at this point could create issues with guys competing as hard as they should be.

It also gives Virginia Tech something else to wonder about regarding how to prepare for this FSU offense.

Check out the answer he provided to the question at the (4:10 mark):

"“Bailey Hockman and James Blackman from a great understanding of what we’re doing they’re probably a little ahead of Francois. From that standpoint they are doing some things and getting better at what we did in the spring and it’s been really good because we’re starting to click for those guys and making the plays….and then Deondre it’s pretty cool to see him out there making the plays that he’s making and he just came back in training camp…and he’s been putting in a lot of work too and that’s paying off for him as well.”"

Thoughts

I read some comments on social media from FSU fans that believe Willie Taggart is using this statement to motivate Deondre Francois. Frankly, I think Taggart is telling the truth about where the quarterbacks are at the moment.

Bailey Hockman and James Blackman took almost every rep in spring ball while Francois watched from the sidelines mostly. They should have a better understanding of what the offense is trying to do at this point.

That doesn’t mean Francois is behind those two when it comes to the QB competition if that’s your interpretation of Taggart’s comments.

All of the quarterbacks bring different traits to the table and the coaching staff will play to each quarterbacks strengths.

It’s just the facts Francois has not had as many reps as the other two in the offense. The good news is Taggart said the offense got the better of the defense in the situational scrimmage and there were no turnovers.

It sounds like FSU football will be in good hands no matter who’s named the starting QB. The Noles will have an actual real game scrimmage next Saturday, so expect some separation in the competition based on this week and their performances during that scrimmage.