Projecting FSU Football's Spring Depth Chart On Offense In 2024
Spring football is about a month away as Florida State takes the first steps on its path toward a revenge tour in 2024. The roster looks fairly different on both sides of the ball as the Seminoles welcome nearly 40 newcomers. Despite the lack of continuity and departing production, there is still plenty of optimism building in Tallahassee.
FSU is losing a ton of key pieces from its offense that will be tough to replace. From quarterback to along the offensive line, every position group is losing at least one starter. That means there will be some fun position battles this offseason that could shake out in an unexpected way.
These are our predictions for how Florida State's two-deep on offense will shake out during the spring.
Quarterback:
1. DJ Uiagalelei, RS Sr.
2. Brock Glenn, RS Fr.
3. Luke Kromehoek, Fr.
Glenn is the lone returning scholarship quarterback for the Seminoles with Jordan Travis (NFL) and Tate Rodemaker (transfer) moving on. He'll be competing with graduate transfer signal-caller DJ Uiagalelei for the right to replace one of the top players to ever come through Florida State. Uiagalelei has seen basically everything at the college level and holds 40 career starts through his time at Clemson and Oregon State. He's the favorite to exit the spring as the starter but don't count out Glenn.
Kromenhoek is an extremely promising prospect who is expected to be the future of Florida State's quarterback room. He and fellow incoming freshman Trever Jackson will make for an interesting group of developmental players to follow over the spring.
Running Back:
1. Caziah Holmes, RS Sr.
2. Roydell Williams, RS Sr.
3. Kam Davis, Fr.
FSU will have to replace the reliability and consistency of Trey Benson and it won't be easy. The good thing is that there is still plenty of talent in the cupboard with Caziah Holmes returning for his third year with the program. The coaching staff also went out and grabbed Roydell Williams from Alabama, who has some Benson qualities in his game, while adding top prep prospect Kam Davis as well.
Holmes might be the early favorite to assume a big role in the backfield due to his experience in the system. However, don't count out Williams after what he did during his time with the Crimson Tide. Davis seems like he'll play sooner rather than later too.
Tailback:
1. Lawrance Toafili, RS Sr.
2. Jaylin Lucas, Jr./Samuel Singleton, RS Fr.
Toafili is the elder statesman of the room and has proven his ability as a runner and threat out of the backfield. He was crucial to Florida State securing the ACC Championship before missing the postseason due to surgery. Toafili is back participating in the Tour of Duty and should be fully healthy entering the spring. Lucas comes in with plenty of speed after plenty of explosive plays at Indiana. He'll be crucial on special teams but his wheels will be useful in the backfield as well.
Singleton is entering his second season with the Seminoles. He was limited by injuries throughout the year but appeared to be displaying progress as the season went on. He'll be battling for a role in a room that suddenly has a lot of experience.
Fullback:
1. DJ Lundy, RS Sr.
This one speaks for itself. Lundy has excelled in this role when called upon over the last two seasons. He's scored four touchdowns since the beginning of 2022.
Tight End:
1. Kyle Morlock, RS Sr.
2. Jackson West, RS Jr./Landen Thomas, Fr.
3. Brian Courtney, Jr./Jerrale Powers, RS So.
The Seminoles have plenty of questions to answer at tight end with Jaheim Bell making the transition to the NFL. Kyle Morlock is now firmly the top player at the position but he struggled mightily as a blocker in 2023 and also failed to score a touchdown. Another year in the system should suit him well now that he's played a full season in the FBS.
Outside of that, there are a lot of unknowns. Jackson West has battled injuries throughout his time at FSU but was named the most improved offensive player on the team last season. Brian Courtney has shown potential in spurts but hasn't put it together enough to earn a big role. Jerrale Powers has dealt with injuries while developing after spending his prep career as a wide receiver. The program needs touted freshman Landen Thomas to take on a big role this spring and it's possible with his skill set.
Wide Receiver:
1. Kentron Poitier, RS Sr.
2. Hykeem Williams So.
This is another position where Florida State is replacing practically all of its production with Keon Coleman and Johnny Wilson off to the league. There is a lot of talent from top to bottom but not many players who have proven themselves consistently at the college level. Kentron Poitier is someone the team is counting on to stay healthy after he was arguably the best receiver on the roster last spring. Hykeem Williams is another player who showed promise before dealing with a lower-body injury in the middle of the year. Williams and other younger Seminoles taking the next step will be the difference in this room going from good to great.
Wide Receiver:
1. Darion Williamson, RS Sr./Malik Benson, Sr.
2. Vandrevius Jacobs, RS Fr./Jalen Brown, RS Fr.
Williamson has also been beaten up throughout his career at Florida State. Immensely talented, that skill set hasn't been felt often on the field in large part because of his availability. As of now, he's been standing out in the offseason but he's got to stay healthy. Alabama transfer Malik Benson is Williamson's biggest competition for a starting job. Benson was productive in spurts with the Crimson Tide and put together a record-setting junior college career. He could be a legitimate deep threat if it all comes together.
Vandrevius Jacobs was one of the stars in the spring last year. It wouldn't be a surprise if he turns heads once again. Jalen Brown enters the fray after one season at LSU. Like Benson, there are a lot of qualities that lead to him being a player who can break free deep downfield.
Slot Wide Receiver:
1. Ja'Khi Douglas, RS Sr.
2. Destyn Hill, So.
3. Camdon Frier, Fr./Lawayne McCoy, Fr.
It's becoming a trend but Douglas has missed time in each of the last two seasons due to injuries that he suffered during preseason camp. Both years he has returned and made a sizable impact. FSU knows what it's getting out of Douglas each Saturday. Destyn Hill is in the middle of his first full offseason at the college level after arriving in Tallahassee last summer. He was limited by a lower-body injury as the year went on but is still someone with a lot of promise. Camdon Frier and Lawayne McCoy won't play large roles on the field this year but should be fun prospects to watch grow.
Left Tackle:
1. Darius Washington, RS Sr.
2. Robert Scott, RS Sr.
3. Lucas Simmons, RS Fr.
Washington ended up becoming a reliable left tackle for the Seminoles in 2023 with Robert Scott unavailable for most of the year due to injury. He was a First-Team All-ACC selection and has a ton of experience. That has to have Florida State confident that Washington will be able to protect Uiagalelei's blindside at a high level. It wouldn't be a surprise if he continues repping at center to provide depth. Robert Scott is really the big wildcard here as he's an all-conference and possibly NFL talent when he can step on the football field. That just wasn't very often last season and there's no telling where he'll be at this spring.
Simmons spent most of his first season contributing to the scout team while grappling with an injury. He needs to make the most of this spring to stay on the right track.
Left Guard:
1. Keiondre Jones, RS Sr.
2. Bryson Estes, RS Jr.
Jones was a solid run blocker during his first year at Florida State with his combination of strength and size. He doesn't bring a ton of athleticism to the field and was beaten up at times last season. At the very least, Jones is consistent and understands the system.
Estes is a veteran who has been with the Seminoles for multiple years. He's sold in a pinch.
Center:
1. Maurice Smith, RS Sr.
2. Andre' Otto, RS Fr./Washington/Leonard IV
Smith has been one of the leaders of Florida State's offensive line for the last couple of years. He's a pillar of the unit alongside Washington and Scott during the resurgence under Alex Atkins. The only problem is that he's undersized and tends to get beaten up as the seasons progress. It'll be important to have insurance in the event that he is injured which could have the Seminoles turn to Washington, Richie Leonard IV, or Terrence Ferguson.
Andre Otto' is a smart player with some interesting qualities. He was mostly with the scout team last year and his future could be at center or tackle.
Right Guard:
1. Richie Leonard IV, RS Sr.
2. Terrence Ferguson, RS Jr.
The Seminoles brought in Richie Leonard IV and Terrence Ferguson out of the transfer portal to shore up the interior. Leonard IV was a solid starter with the Gators and played the most snaps among anyone on Florida's offense last year. He brings experience and an impressive mindset that has him ready to contribute to multiple positions. Leonard IV improves the floor of the room.
Ferguson was highly rated out of high school but struggled to get on the field due to a deep room at Alabama. He made his lone career start for the Crimson Tide last season. The Seminoles are hoping for an emergence as he tries to reach his ceiling under the tutelage of Atkins.
Right Tackle:
1. Jeremiah Byers, RS Sr.
2. Julian Armella, RS So./Scott
Byers is back for another season with the Seminoles. He struggled with consistency at times last year but had some really good stretches during the second half of the season. Byers played the most snaps of anyone on offense.
It would be big for the future of the offensive line if Julian Armella continues to progress in the right direction. This will be an important period as he tries to put it together from whistle to whistle.
READ MORE: Former FSU Football Star Jordan Travis Shows Off Progress Ahead Of NFL Combine
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