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FSU football: James Blackman ranked ninth among ACC quarterbacks

By Kelvin Hunt

CHESTNUT HILL, MASSACHUSETTS - NOVEMBER 09: Quarterback James Blackman #1 of the Florida State Seminoles looks to pass during the second quarter of the game against the Boston College Eagles at Alumni Stadium on November 09, 2019 in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
CHESTNUT HILL, MASSACHUSETTS - NOVEMBER 09: Quarterback James Blackman #1 of the Florida State Seminoles looks to pass during the second quarter of the game against the Boston College Eagles at Alumni Stadium on November 09, 2019 in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images) /
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FSU football quarterback James Blackman will likely go into the 2020 season as the starter for the second consecutive year. Is he being underrated by one website?

FSU football fans have a love/hate relationship with quarterback James Blackman. The quarterback was thrust into action way before he was ready once Deondre Francois was injured in the 2017 opener against Alabama.

Blackman was a freshman that didn’t early enroll challenged with running a pro-style offense behind a terrible offensive line against one of the tougher schedules in the nation.

By all accounts, he finished the season strong but had to redshirt in 2018, although Deondre Francois missed all spring and summer and never fully recovered from his leg injury.

The 2019 season saw Blackman start the season playing well, but forced to share time with graduate transfer Alex Hornibrook after three games although he had won the starting QB position coming out of fall camp.

Related Story. 3 Reasons Mike Norvell Can Save James Blackman in 2020. light

That staff not fully trusting him, coupled with getting hurt, and trying to come back from that never allowed him to get back on track.

Last year is likely why Athlon Sports ranks him as the ninth best quarterback in the ACC. Here’s what the entire list looks like:

  1. Trevor Lawrence-Clemson
  2. Sam Howell-UNC
  3. Ian Book-Notre Dame
  4. D’Eriq King-Miami
  5. Micale Cunningham-Louisville
  6. Hendon Hooker-VT
  7. Sam Hartman-Wake Forest
  8. Kenny Pickett-Pittsburgh
  9. James Blackman-FSU
  10. Tommy DeVito-Syracuse
  11. Chase Brice-Duke
  12. Brennan Armstrong-Virginia
  13. Phil Jurkovec-Boston College
  14. Devin Leary-NC State
  15. James Graham-Georgia Tech

Thoughts

James Blackman stunk it up in the bowl game against Arizona State, and there’s no denying that. However, I’m sure I wouldn’t take Hartman or Pickett over James Blackman.

I’d put him in the No. 7 spot with the potential to be as high as No. 5 or No. 6. I do expect him to be better in 2020, and having a coaching staff to play to your strengths has to be positive.

The other thing Blackman needs to do is avoiding looking for the home run all the time, and dropping passes off to his check-downs. That would keep the chains moving, avoid negative plays, and likely mean fewer turnovers.

Position Group Confidence Rankings For 2020. dark. Next

Mike Norvell seems pleased with his progress through fall camp, and I’m excited to see what Blackman can do with some newfound confidence.

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