FSU football: Top 10 true freshmen of the last decade

By Kelvin Hunt | Aug 14, 2019

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - NOVEMBER 15: Dalvin Cook #4 of the Florida State Seminoles scores the winning touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Miami Hurricanes on November 15, 2014 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. The Seminoles defeated the Hurricanes 30-26. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

James Blackman

I know some people will see James Blackman on this list and probably have their stomach turn. The fact of the matter is James Blackman had a good true freshman season considering the circumstances.

First of all, he was not an early enrollee which is huge in terms of time to develop and get acclimated to the college game.

Secondly, no one thought he’d ever play a snap in 2017 prior to Deondre Francois getting hurt. Blackman helped lead the Noles to a bowl game and a 7-6 record overall. He actually played well enough for the Noles to win nine games that year.

Blackman passed for 2,230 yards with 19 touchdowns against 11 interceptions whil completing 58 percent of his passes.

Let’s not forget he was going up against one of the toughest schedules in the country as a true freshman. The more experience he got the better he played and he looked like he was right at home in the Nole’s bowl win over Southern Mississippi where he won MVP honors.

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