Florida State Returns Most Experienced Offensive Line in College Football
For years fans and faithful have pried, prodded, scratched, clawed, and posited about the Florida State offensive line being the heart of all their football woes. In comes head coach Mike Norvell and offensive coordinator Alex Atkins, and the rebuild process is well on its way in making the big men up front something to celebrate.
While all the problems aren't entirely ironed out, if you were to take a snapshot of the offensive line now and four years ago, you would see a stark contrast in talent and, more importantly, technique and cohesion. Only two current players are on the offensive line room roster from that 2019-2020 squad. After all the turnover, center Maurice Smith and offensive tackle Darius Washington survived, adding critical pieces up front for a team that is expected to make a run at the College Football Playoffs.
Phil Steele, via CFB Focus, recently released a list of teams with the most combined career starts heading into the 2023 season, and the Seminoles are on top at 206.
Florida State's offense led the ACC in third-down offense, yards gained per play, yards gained per rush, yards gained per pass, total offense per game, yards per completion, rushing offense per game, and scoring offense per game in 2022.
The Seminoles have recruited talented transfers from across the FBS, including Keiondre Jones (Auburn), Jeremiah Byers (UTEP), D'Mitri Emmanuel (Charlotte), and Casey Roddick (Colorado). Together, these players account for 120 of the 206 total starts. Offensive line coach Alex Atkins takes pride in cross-training players at multiple positions on the offensive line. This approach benefits players moving on to the next level and addresses depth issues that have plagued the 'Noles in the past.
Adding veteran players through the NCAA Transfer Portal will help fill gaps and provide depth in case of injuries. By incorporating experienced transfers like Jones, Byers, Emmanuel, and Roddick, the Seminoles have bolstered their roster and ensured they have ample options in the event of injuries.
An offense that will be the team's strength in 2023 will have an experienced backbone to protect star quarterback Jordan Travis, running back Trey Benson, and an array of skill players.
READ MORE: Florida State Falls Short of PFF Preseason Top 10
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