FSU football could conceivably have just one scholarship quarterback on the roster this coming season, so the time has come to see what is out there.
If you’ve been living under a rock for the better part of the last week, there is a segment of the FSU football fan base and the cynical members of the media who are losing their minds over the fact that – for the the second straight signing period – the Seminoles did not bring in a quarterback as a member of their class.
While the 2018 period could be justified since head coach Willie Taggart was trying to get everything organized in under a month, the 2019 period was marred by one longtime commit to the Noles bolting for another ACC team and one recruit who was leaning toward the Seminoles choosing a Big Ten bottom feeder.
Add on to that the justified dismissal of Deondre Francois following the disturbing audio recording released and FSU football is left with just one quarterback on scholarship at this point in redshirt sophomore James Blackman.
Florida State Seminoles Football
Behind QB1 is a group of walk ons that includes rising sophomore Nolan MacDonald as the Seminoles await to see if rising sophomore Jordan Travis, who transferred from Louisville, can get immediate eligibility to play next season if needed.
With that being a long shot likely since Travis would have to prove a hardship as his reason for coming to the Noles, Taggart and FSU football need to bring someone in through the transfer portal – and with many of the players left being one year rentals, the Seminoles need someone who can backup Blackman at this point and give them a quality emergency plan.
The best bet for that is someone the Noles know very well as former Virginia Tech signal caller Josh Jackson is the person to fit that position.
Jackson came to Tallahassee with the Hokies last season and, while he was sacked three times, through for two touchdowns and did enough to avoid losing the game as Virginia Tech ruined the opener for Taggart’s tenure. Two games later, his season was done with a serious knee injury in the loss to Old Dominion.
Jackson used his redshirt season in 2016 before throwing for nearly 3,000 yards and 20 touchdowns the following season so he would have two seasons left if he came to the Seminoles in a worst case scenario- three in a best case one if he applied for a medical redshirt since he played in just three games last season.
Jackson would be someone who wouldn’t get shell shocked at playing power programs like Clemson or Florida or Miami – and he is someone who could push Blackman to be a better signal caller and play the role of qualified player should Blackman not be able to perform to standards or get hurt.
Following Wednesday’s signing day, Taggart alluded to saying something was in the works at the quarterback spot – and if it involves a grad transfer, the best option is someone from FSU football’s own conference.