FSU football: Fans react to James Blackman being QB1 for 2020

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.

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Fan Reaction

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.