FSU football fans were collectively losing their minds on Wednesday with the news that the one time starting quarterback may be entering the transfer portal.
For much of the 2018 season, the debate raged among the FSU football family about who should be the starting quarterback for the Seminoles during the season – with a very vocal segment screaming for James Blackman to retake the spot he had for most of the 2017 season after Deondre Francois got injured in the first game of the season.
Some of it was because the Seminoles were marred in one of the worst seasons the program has had in the last half century while others are always going to root for the backup no matter what. As Francois and the offense struggled, some of which on him but mostly due to the Swiss cheese offensive line, the chorus calling for Blackman grew and grew.
Now, that chorus is screaming with the news that Blackman was one of three FSU football players – including tight end Naseir Upshur and wide receiver George Campbell – who were considering entering the NCAA transfer portal that allows them to evaluate what options are out there.
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For the crowd in garnet and gold who think the sky is falling at the moment, let us take a second to remind you that just because a player enters the portal DOES NOT MEAN THEY ARE TRANSFERRING. While it is not a good look, any of the three can back out if they enter and stay with the Noles as they are just seeing their options.
There is nothing wrong with that at all and I support any player doing what’s in their best interest (if coaches can leave after just weeks, players should have freedom to move as well) – but let me just state for the record that Blackman would be making the wrong move to leave the Seminoles at this time.
Entering the 2019 season, Blackman was likely going to get a legit shot at the starting job based off of both what took place last season for FSU football and the fact that public opinion has swayed to the point where head coach Willie Taggart would be crucified by some if that chance wasn’t there.
On the chance that D12 did beat out JB1 for the starting job, Blackman will still have two seasons with the Seminoles and would be the starter without a doubt in 2020 – when Taggart’s system has been perfected and the problem that infected the program from the previous administration would almost be completely gone.
Why would Blackman transfer at this point? Is he really that upset that Francois returned? Is he afraid that he can’t win the starting spot over Deondre or the following season over transfer Jordan Travis?
Only he knows the answer to this question, but it’s also not a good look for Blackman to seem like he’s running away from competition like some other recent transfers across college football.
Once again, Blackman has to do what is best for him and his life and football future – and while it would put FSU football in quite a crisis if he left, he has to look out for himself. With that being said, he also needs to take into account that the grass is not always greener on the other side.