FSU football has its starting quarterback for the 2020 season. FSU head coach Mike Norvell announced the starter at Tuesday’s press conference.
FSU football will have redshirt junior James Blackman as its starting quarterback going into the 2020 season.
It shouldn’t come as a surprise to FSU football fans, as Blackman has a ton of experience compared to the other candidates.
Some fans thought the two true freshmen in Tate Rodemaker or Chubba Purdy would contend for the job, but it’s incredibly difficult for a true freshman to start in college football.
Rodemaker did early enroll, but the COVID-19 pandemic limited his experience, and Purdy didn’t arrive till the summer and was injured in the first fall scrimmage.
James Blackman Interview
Fan Reaction
Who didn’t know Blackman was gonna be the starter?
— Garrison Ryfun (@gryfun3) September 1, 2020
Gimme your James Blackman stat predictions for GT. Tryna build my bookmarks list.
— dustin. (@DMFrank_) September 1, 2020
How can you have so much faith in JB1? I mean I hope he does well cause that mean the team is doing good but to feel like he gonna go light it up when nothing has shown he can is beyond me
— Michael Scott (@WashedUpJustin_) September 1, 2020
If our OL can just play “OK” we can win 8-9 games. But if it’s a jailbreak like the past 2 years? 5-7 wins
— Jaguar Paw (@sirdibbydukes) September 1, 2020
I'd really like to see Blackman do well this coming season. It's disheartening to see someone put that much effort into things and come away with nothing.
— BuzzKill Bennie (@BuzzKillBennie) September 1, 2020
I know: He's still really, really, REALLY young, and will bounce back either way, but still...
A lot of crying on the TL, did y'all actually think he wouldn't be the starter? Lol
— Henry (@seminole4life22) September 1, 2020
Those were factors, but Blackman likely was going to be the starter regardless, unless he completely stunk it up at practice.
He had 12 starts under his belt as a true freshman before redshirting in 2018, where he started in one game. Blackman was named the starter coming out of fall camp last year before the last coaching staff decided to go to a two-quarterback system after the third game.
Blackman has tools, a strong arm, and better able to use his legs than given credit for, but his Achilles heel has been holding the ball too long coupled with his response to adversity. However, I do believe the latter involved his fear of the last coaching staff not fully trusting him, and pressing to avoid mistakes which cost him.
I think he knows the job is his unless he goes out and plays poorly, and I believe Mike Norvell and Kenny Dillingham will do a better job of playing to his strengths than the last coaching staff.
If Blackman can take what the defense gives, and avoids negative plays and turning the ball over, the Noles should be in a position to be successful in 2020.