FSU football: Lots of true freshman played in 2019

FSU football didn’t have the year it wanted on the field in 2019, but a number of young players saw significant playing time which should help in 2020.

One good thing about FSU football in the Willie Taggart era was lots of young guys saw playing time early.

I wrote after the 2018 season we saw around 35 percent of the players who signed in that class saw significant snaps.

Players from the 2018 class were counted on big time in 2019: Jaiden Lars-Woodbey, Keyshawn Helton, Asante Samuel Jr., AJ Lytton, Robert Cooper, Tre’Shaun Harrison, Amari Gainer, Dennis Briggs Jr., Camren McDonald, Jordan Young and Isaiah Bolden all saw significant action as starters are played in nearly every game unless they were injured.

It looks as though the same could be said for the 2019 class in 2020 when it’s all said and done. Akeem Dent, Brendan Gant, Dontae Lucas, Jaleel McRae, Kalen DeLoach, Raymond Woodie III, Renardo Green, Darius Washington and Tru Thompson all saw significant action throughout the 2019 season.

Another player that likely would have been added to the list is Travis Jay who had to sit out while some academic things were worked out. If we don’t count Jay that’s 43 percent of the 2019 class who saw solid amounts of playing time.

I know there’s a new staff in town, but it’s likely these players will have an even larger role in 2020 just as the class before them did. That bodes well for the future of the program as it’s something the staff can point to regarding early playing time.

It’s one of the easiest things to sell when looking to get a prestigious program back to prominence. The only thing missing is getting those players who can be true difference makers in year one. Akeem Dent seemed to be in the position to be that guy but just couldn’t deliver when those opportunities came his way as he likely dropped at least five interceptions on the season.

The aforementioned Travis Jay is another who’ll likely carve out a nice role in 2020 if he can get eligible. These young players will be counted on for depth mostly, but it’ll still be those upperclassmen from the 2017 class who’ll determine how far the Noles can go.

Those players like Marvin Wilson, Joshua Kaindoh, Cory Durden, Khalan Laborn, Hamsah Nasirildeen(if he returns), Tamorrion Terry, Ontaria Wilson, Tre McKitty and Brady Scott on the offensive line will be key in helping Mike Norvell have success in year one.