FSU Football: Willie Taggart makes right call in starting Francois for opener

FSU football is going back to the hot hand from 2016 after Deondre Francois regained the starting quarterback job heading into next week’s game.

For the third straight season, the FSU football team is going to have the same quarterback under center when they take the first snaps of the year – only this time, there was a question about whether that player was going to be able to do so after what took place one year ago.

After months of questions and debate, head coach Willie Taggart announced on Monday that redshirt junior Deondre Francois – who was sidelined after a serious knee injury in last year’s opener against Alabama – will get his starting job back when the Seminoles take the field in one week against Virginia Tech.

Taggart said that it was a whole evaluation of Francois’ body of work since he took over the coaching staff this year – both on and off the field – that led him to the decision (h/t Tallahassee Democrat).

"“…When he’s in there and running the offense it’s a lot more efficient and a lot less mistakes,” Taggart said. “He’s been doing everything we’ve asked him to do and then more. And just watching him with his teammates. I think boy, if I can just trust him, then the entire football team can trust him. I think that’s important.”"

The decision came after Taggart announced last week that Francois was behind both James Blackman – who started all of last season as a true freshman after D12’s injury – and redshirt freshman Bailey Hockman based on the fact that the other two have had more reps while Francois continued to recover from his injury.

First off, the notion that Hockman was even in the conversation makes me laugh – and that’s not a shot at the Georgia native’s ability, but more about the fact that this was a two horse race all along for who can lead the FSU football offense.

Personally, this was another solid move by Taggart and the best thing for the team. While Blackman is a solid quarterback and someone with a bright future, the athleticism and ability to win the big game that Francois possesses is what the Seminoles need right now.

If D12 has been able to get his life in order and mature off the field, the Noles can only benefit from that on the field during a season when FSU football has an insane schedule and some insane expectations from those who expect a quick turn around from last season.