FSU football: Impact of Emmett Rice & Baveon Johnson returning

Baveon Johnson

Baveon Johnson is a player a lot of FSU football fans have had a love-hate relationship with the past few years.

Johnson came in at the No. 1 rated center in the country but struggled to lock down that position with bad snaps and not being able to anchor in the middle of the line.

However, he made the move to the guard position and helped improve the offensive line. He’s adept at run blocking and was one of the reasons the FSU running backs were all able to average 4.95 yards or more per carry in 2020.

If nothing else, Johnson brings experience and depth to a position that will always need the latter.

The 2020 season is a prime example because it seemed like FSU offensive linemen were injured at least once in every game.

Freshmen Maurice Smith took over the center duties last year, but Johnson could serve as the emergency backup now that Andre Boselli is no longer with the team.

The offensive line showed improvement with no spring while under the guidance of Alex Atkins. Maybe Baveon Johnson can improve even more under Atkins once they can have a legitimate offseason.

Parting Thoughts

FSU football needs all the help it can get, and the staff gets a chance to have a real offseason should help these players gain some development they lost over the past few seasons.

Mike Norvell had exit interviews with all of the players, so these guys must have displayed the right mindset to be welcomed back.

That will be important for the development of the overall culture of the team, not to mention the competition it’ll provide for the young players joining the program.

The Tour of Duty began last week, so the countdown to the season opener against Notre Dame has started.