FSU football: Five players who could break out in 2023
3. TE Markeston Douglas
Long-time tight end Camren McDonald has graduated from FSU and was picked up by the Green Bay Packers. During his five-year career with the Seminoles, he recorded 74 receptions for 861 yards and five touchdowns (two of them were against the arch-rival Miami Hurricanes).
Tight ends coach Chris Thomsen has faced with the difficult task of replacing production from the talented playmaker. Just like Atkins, he decided to go into the transfer portal to acquire talent. The Seminoles were able to add two tight-end prospects in do-it-all playmakers Jaheim Bell (South Carolina) and Kyle Morlock (Shorter).
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Bell was considered the number one tight-end transfer option in the transfer portal. He generated a ton of offensive production for the Gamecocks in 25 receptions for 231 yards and two touchdowns. He also had 73 carries for 261 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns.
However, Morlock was a prospect that did not get that high level of interest since he played for a Division II program. However, he was also productive with the Hawks, where he had 30 receptions for 446 yards and six touchdowns.
One forgotten piece in the rotation: Markeston Douglas. During the 2022 season, he had 14 catches for 190 yards and one touchdown. He was a viable receiving option where the former three-star prospect had four receptions for 50 yards and one touchdown in the Cheez-It Bowl victory over the Oklahoma Sooners.
I believe Douglas will be the number two tight end behind Jaheim Bell. His willingness to block and progression in the receiving game as the season progressed has me feel comfortable penciling him in as a starter in two tight-end sets.