FSU football: Three bold predictions for the Seminoles’ 2023 season

The 2023 college football season is finally upon us.

We no longer have to battle through the dog days of summer without the sport that brings many individuals joy and happiness.

While Florida State’s first game of the season against the LSU Tigers will not take place for another eight days, it will be here before you know it!

To keep fans excited for the anticipation surrounding the top ten matchup between both teams, I decided to include three bold predictions about FSU football players on their roster that might surprise some.

1. Azareye’h Thomas will end up being a starter at the cornerback position.

I am coming out the gate hot with this bold prediction. The former four-star prospect from the 2022 recruiting cycle had a solid campaign last year for the Seminoles where he appeared in 11 games and recorded 14 total tackles (two tackles for loss) along with one interception.

FSU brought in Virginia transfer Fentrell Cypress II, who was regarded as the fifth best prospect in the 247Sports Transfer Portal rankings. However, the veteran cornerback still seems to be adjusting to everything with enrolling in the spring. They also have redshirt senior Renardo Green, who has consistently showcased a high level of consistency.

I could envision Thomas being in similar situation as true freshman Omarion Cooper was in 2021, where he was inserted in the starting lineup to rejuvenate the position room.

2. Caziah Holmes will be the second string running back.

Penn State transfer running back Caziah Holmes joined the Seminoles back on September 1, 2022. As a result, he was ineligible to play for Florida State last year.

Redshirt junior Trey Benson will be the lead back in their offensive system. The former Oregon transfer had 154 carries for 990 yards and nine touchdowns last season. He is looking to become the first 1,000 yard+ rusher with the program since Cam Akers did so in 2019.

The Seminoles have found their identity offensively by establishing the running game. FSU will likely have opportunities to have other running backs featured in the offense, given that there will potentially be some blowout games happening this season.

While there are a multitude of backs that can handle the responsibilities of being the No. 2 option behind Benson, such as Rodney Hill, Lawrance Toafili, CJ Campbell, and Sam Singleton, I believe Holmes can be the difference-maker in the offense with his 5-foot-11, 208 pound frame. He was limited by injuries during his two seasons with the Nittany Lions, where he only recorded 254 yards and two touchdowns.

3. Destyn Hill will be the third leading wide receiver on the team.

It is absolutely remarkable to even list Destyn Hill after his enrollment with Florida State was delayed due to personal reasons. After much speculation, many individuals suggested that the former Edna Karr High School standout would never enroll with the Seminoles.

The urban legend of Destyn Hill enrolling in Tallahassee came to fruition. Fans had their doubts whether or not he could acclimate to the collegiate level after not playing in a football contest since graduating high school in 2021.

However, the practice reports have noted that Hill has raised the eyebrows of those around the program with his elevated maturation in the offensive system at such a young age.

While much of the attention has focused around Johnny Wilson and newly-acquired Michigan State transfer Keon Coleman, the Seminoles might have their future at the position in true freshman Destyn Hill. It might be difficult to put trust into a true freshman pass catcher, Hill seems to be the exception of that thought process.