FSU FOOTBALL EXCITEMENT
Florida State football will be here before you know it, as the Seminoles will be ready to take on the Alabama Crimson Tide in their season opener in the newly renovated Doak Campbell Stadium on Saturday, August 30th at 3:30 PM EST.
I understand that the fan base is a bit pessimistic and nervous following the 2024 season, which ended with a 2-10 record. I am not telling you to be as confident as quarterback Thomas Castellanos and his comments about the Crimson Tide.
However, it should be noted that it will be pure cinema when Castellanos is at the podium for the ACC Kickoff event on July 23. It seems like the new transfer signal-caller is oozing with confidence in himself and Florida State this season.
I already wrote about who will be the other ACC Kickoff members that will be representing the Seminoles, but I thought that it was interesting that they decided to bring offensive lineman Richie Leonard IV.
The former Florida interior offensive lineman transfer was brought in last offseason, but he suffered a season-ending injury four games in and is back for another campaign. The offensive line position group should be a better unit under the direction of assistant coach Herb Hand.
However, Coach Hand added transfers such as Gunnar Hansen, Adrian Medley, Luke Petitbon, and Micah Pettus, who are expected to be contributors this year. The Seminoles relied on a veteran offensive line last season under Alex Atkins, who is now at LSU, and it was a train wreck.
Florida State is hoping for optimism as Leonard IV should be healthy for 2025 and compete for the starting offensive guard position. The Seminoles thought highly of his ability last spring, and I believe there is a method to their madness, as he is likely guaranteed a starting spot.