FSU football: Top 5 observations heading into the bye week

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - SEPTEMBER 14: James Blackman #1 of the Florida State Seminoles walks off the field between Dontae Lucas #55 and Adarius Dent #84 after the end of a game against the Virginia Cavaliers at Scott Stadium on September 14, 2019 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - SEPTEMBER 14: James Blackman #1 of the Florida State Seminoles walks off the field between Dontae Lucas #55 and Adarius Dent #84 after the end of a game against the Virginia Cavaliers at Scott Stadium on September 14, 2019 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 7
Next
fsu football
(Photo by Jeff Gammons/Getty Images) /

Young Players Stepping Up

FSU football head coach Willie Taggart has pointed it out several times this season. FSU still has a fairly young football team.

Dontavious Jackson, Levonta Taylor, Kyle Meyers, Josh Brown, Adonis Thomas, Gabe Nabers, Keith Gavin, Ricky Aguayo, Logan Tyler and graduate transfers Ryan Roberts and Alex Hornibrook are the lone seniors on the team.

What’s interesting some of them have never really been contributors and others have seen their roles diminish this season.

In fact, Ricky Aguayo was benched after missing another field goal Saturday night. He was one of two and missed three field goals in the previous game.

Logan Tyler is suspended indefinitely but Tommy Martin has filled in without missing a beat. Heck, might be better than Tyler through the first four games he’s played.

We’re beginning to see more young players emerge through five games. Players like Amari Gainer, Akeem Dent, Brendan Gant, Jaleel McRae, Warren Thompson, Dennis Briggs Jr. and Renardo Green are seeing meaningful snaps now.

All of those players are either true freshmen or redshirt freshman folks. Not to mention the slew of true sophomores from the 2018 recruiting class either starting or playing meaningful minutes.

Players like Keyshawn Helton, Robert Cooper, Asante Samuel Jr., A.J. Lytton and Tre’Shaun Harrison are key contributors too.