Ex-Florida State QB Signs With Professional Football Team

The popularity of American football continues to grow year over year. Millions of people across the world are invested in the sport at all levels.

That interest has professional leagues outside of the NFL always trying to find ways to fill the gap in the calendar. The United Football League (UFL) and Indoor Football League (IFL) remain options for players to make a living while trying to climb to the highest level.

With the IFL kicking off last week, the Orlando Pirates are bringing in a former Florida State quarterback just days before they open their season.

Orlando Pirates Sign Former FSU QB James Blackman

Florida State has seen plenty of quarterbacks come through the door as the struggles have piled up since 2017. In Jimbo Fisher's final season with the Seminoles, the team was forced to turn to true freshman James Blackman after Deondre Francois went down with an injury.

Blackman dealt with plenty of ups and downs in Tallahassee while playing for three different head coaches in four years. He ultimately transferred to Arkansas State for his final two seasons at the college level.

On Thursday, the Orlando Pirates, a member of the IFL, announced the addition of Blackman to their roster. The Pirates begin their season on Sunday against the Quad City Steamwheelers. The franchise moved from Lowell, Massachusetts, to Orlando, Florida, in November.

The Pirates will play their home games at the Kia Center. Blackman is one of two quarterbacks on the team alongside Paxton DeLaurent, who played at Southeast Missouri State University.

QB James Blackman is a Pirate 🏴‍☠️

The former @FloridaState and @AStateFB quarterback threw for over 9,200 career yards and 65 touchdowns, earning an opportunity with the Miami Dolphins #anchorszn | #runthesouth pic.twitter.com/qJGYiaWMxm
— Orlando Pirates (@OrlPirates) April 2, 2026

This will be Blackman's first foray at the professional level since a stint with the Miami Dolphins in 2023. Blackman went through training camp with the Dolphins but wasn't retained on the active roster or practice squad.

Blackman started for Florida State in 2017 and 2019. As a true freshman, he completed 173/297 passes for 2,230 yards with 19 touchdowns to 11 interceptions. Blackman was named the 2017 Independence Bowl MVP after completing 18/26 passes for 233 yards with four touchdowns and zero interceptions in a 42-13 victory against Southern Miss.

After losing the starting job during the 2020 season to Jordan Travis, Blackman chose to spend his final two seasons at Arkansas State. He played in 16 games for the Red Wolves while dealing with injuries.

Blackman is just outside of the top-10 in program history in multiple statistics.

Blackman is tied for tenth in FSU history with 43 career touchdown passes. He ranks 11th on the program's all-time touchdown passes (43) and completions lists (433), along with 13th in program history in passing yards (5,445 passing yards).

Fellow former Florida State standout and wide receiver Nyqwan Murray is also on Orlando's roster. Murray and Blackman were teammates for two years.

Who Does Florida State Have At Quarterback For The 2026 Season?

Ashton Daniels, Redshirt Senior

Dean DeNobile, Redshirt Senior

Michael Grant, Redshirt Junior

Malachi Marshall, Junior

Kevin Sperry, Redshirt Freshman

Jaden O'Neal, Freshman

Stick with NoleGameday for more FREE coverage of Florida State throughout the year.

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