LSU Football: Three Florida State Players to Watch in Week 1

The Florida State Seminoles have the chance to carry their success from a season ago into their Week 1 matchup against LSU, but with the Tigers returning several key players while adding a variety of newcomers, it sets the stage for a battle in Orlando.

For Brian Kelly’s program, it’ll be a mix between stars from 2022 and additions made via the NCAA Transfer Portal during the offseason. With fresh faces looking to make a difference, they take on a tough task against the Seminoles.

Headlined by Heisman candidate Jordan Travis and potential Top 10 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft Jared Verse, there will be no shortage of stars on Sunday in Camping World Stadium.

Here are three Florida State players the Tigers must contain:

Jordan Travis - Quarterback

It’s no secret FSU quarterback Jordan Travis is the real deal. He showcased his athleticism last season against the Tigers in Week 1 and continued his run throughout the entire 2022 season.

Travis ended the year with 3,214 passing yards and 24 touchdowns with just five interceptions. On top of his impressive stat line, he strung together a QBR of 85.8 which ranked him seventh best in the nation.

On the ground, the Seminoles’ QB1 is as dynamic as it gets. In 2022, he rushed for over 400 yards while tacking on seven additional scores.

For LSU, it’s a tough task without key defensive tackle Maason Smith looking to get in the backfield, but the depth within the interior defensive line will put the Tigers in great position on Sunday.

In order to compete, it’ll be imperative to keep Travis in the pocket. Once he utilizes his legs, it makes the task that much tougher.

Jared Verse - Defensive End

The potential Top 10 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft is on the prowl this season as he comes back with more left in the tank.

Verse is as athletically gifted as it gets. The 6-foot-4, 260-pounder utilizes a mix of size and strength that makes him nearly impossible to stop.

On Sunday, the Tigers know it’ll be a challenging task to stop him, but containing the Preseason All-American will be of the utmost importance.

Who will take on the challenge of limiting Verse? Sophomore star offensive tackle Will Campbell. It’ll be another battle between the two after last season’s showdown, and with Campbell getting a year of SEC ball under his belt, he’s up for the task at hand.

What was #LSU OT Will Campbell’s “welcome to college” moment last season?

Jared Verse.

Campbell accepted the challenge against one of America’s top pass rushers in his first collegiate game.

Now a captain for the Tigers, Campbell gets another shot.

Campbell vs. Verse Part II pic.twitter.com/HwWRJpr7CL
— Zack Nagy (@znagy20) August 31, 2023

Johnny Wilson - Wide Receiver

Wilson is due for a monster season in Tallahassee and it starts with Week 1 against the LSU Tigers. He’s a 6-foot-7, 240-pound monster on the outside and provides a mismatch just about every time he steps on the field.

It’ll be Southeastern Louisiana transfer Zy Alexander who gets the nod against Wilson when the Tigers go man-to-man. Alexander is a long, quick cornerback who has an opportunity to showcase his talent under the brightest of lights.

For Wilson, his mix between impressive physical tools and strong hands to hold onto the ball once facing contact makes him such a gifted wideout.

LSU will be in for a tough task against the wide receivers the Seminoles attain in Wilson and Michigan State transfer Keon Coleman.