FSU football picks up a massive need at the quarterback position in Oregon State signal caller DJ Uiagalelei. The Seminoles only had two scholarship options on the roster heading into 2024: Brock Glenn and Luke Kromenhoek.
Florida State certainly needed to add a veteran option to command the group while the younger players get properly developed. However, a quarterback can only do so much in an offense if he is not protected.
Having quality offensive linemen is pivotal to a team's success. Offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Alex Atkins has done a great job with changing the narrative of the unit in Tallahassee. A few years back, before Atkins took over, the Seminoles were considered one of the worst offensive line units in college football.
However, the times have changed as Florida State has emphasized adding veteran bodies to the rotation. The unit struggled at times to protect since they had a variety of injuries on the offensive line. But Florida State still performed well with not allowing a high amount of sacks where they ranked 48th in the FBS in sacks allowed (1.79).
The Seminoles only had two seniors in the trenches with interior offensive linemen Casey Roddick and D'Mitri Emmanuel. As I alluded to in a previous article, the Battle's End collective has been charged with retaining pivotal pieces on the roster.
On Monday, the NIL collective announced relationships with four key offensive linemen on the team: Darius Washington, Maurice Smith, Robert Scott, and Keiondre Jones.
Thrilled to announce another year with First Team All-ACC @DariusW76!
— The Battle's End (@TheBattlesEnd) January 1, 2024
We are very excited to get to work with him in 2024.
Directly support Darius and other FSU Players by getting involved at https://t.co/2ie43E0iID #ReadyToRespond pic.twitter.com/UqxYBYpCoe
Thrilled to announce another year with the anchor, @RocboyReese!
— The Battle's End (@TheBattlesEnd) January 1, 2024
Very excited to work with this young man again in 2024!
Directly support Big Mo and other FSU Players by getting involved at https://t.co/lDIRpw3b9g#ReadyToRespond pic.twitter.com/6rl3kvIXze
Thrilled to announce another year with the big man,@robertscottOL!
— The Battle's End (@TheBattlesEnd) January 1, 2024
Very excited to work with Rob again in 2024!
Directly support Rob and other FSU Players by getting involved at https://t.co/rTWGj1INgt…#ReadyToRespond pic.twitter.com/MTGxvqp1AO
Thrilled to announce another year with @keiondrejones!
— The Battle's End (@TheBattlesEnd) January 1, 2024
Very excited to work with this young man again in 2024!
Directly support Keiondre and other FSU Players by getting involved at https://t.co/lDIRpw3IYO #ReadyToRespond pic.twitter.com/V1mUkH4n5M
It is amazing to see veteran pieces returning to the team for another season. While I still believe that Florida State will need to get two offensive linemen in the transfer portal, this is a firm foundation for a football team that is looking to make the College Football Playoff in 2024 after wrongfully not being selected in the "invitational" by the 13-member playoff committee this season.