Jimbo Fisher enters 2017 with arguably the most talented team he’s had in his time at Florida State.
In fact, the ‘Noles may have the best team from top to bottom in all of college football.
The question is: Can the ‘Noles survive their toughest schedule in recent memory to win a national championship?
The third-ranked ‘Noles will find out how good they are immediately in what’s being called “The Greatest College Football Opener of All Time” against top-ranked Alabama Saturday night in Atlanta’s Chik-fil-A Kickoff Game.
And that’s just the beginning of the gauntlet.
Florida State plays five teams ranked in the Associated Press preseason top 25 poll: (1. Alabama, 5. Clemson, 16. Louisville, 17. Florida, 18. Miami).
But the Seminoles, who have won three of their last four games against ranked teams, certainly have the firepower to make it through with minimal damage to earn a spot in the College Football Playoff.
Fisher has skill and size all over the field thanks to bringing in six consecutive top five recruiting classes.
Here is a breakdown of the ‘Noles at every position as the men in garnet and gold begin their journey toward what they hope is a fourth national title:
QUARTERBACKS
Redshirt sophomore Deondre Francois opened as a 12-1 favorite to win the Heisman trophy this season, and he could be one of the most improved players in the nation.
The former Olympia High School and IMG Academy standout flashed brilliance at times during his first year as the Seminoles starting quarterback, finishing with 3,350 yards with 25 total touchdowns (5 rushing) and 7 interceptions in 2016.
But Francois may have learned the most from his bad days, including going 7-18 for just 101 yards (TD, INT) in a 63-20 blowout loss to Louisville that crushed FSU’s hopes of being an elite team last season.
He has visibly become much more of a leader on the field, and the consistency he lacked as a redshirt freshman appears to be a problem of the past.
Fisher raves about his work ethic, and Francois revealed this fall that his goal during practice every day is to focus on one thing to get better at each day.
That’s a good sign for a young man with so much untapped potential.
Also promising is the fact that Francois was often at his best in crunch time as a redshirt freshman.
He threw the game-winning touchdown pass with 36 seconds left to upset sixth-ranked Michigan in the Orange bowl, and Francois also engineered game-winning fourth quarter drives to beat 10th-ranked Miami and NC State.
Francois would have had two more game-winning drives against North Carolina (372 pass yards) and eventual national champion (286 pass yards, TD, INT) if the FSU defense could have finished the job for him.
It would not be surprising to see Francois top 4,000 yards passing with 40+ total touchdowns and adding to his rushing numbers.
Coach Fisher also loves the potential of freshmen quarterbacks James Blackman and Bailey Hockman, who have been fighting with redshirt junior J.J. Cosentino for the backup role.
RUNNING BACKS
Florida State all-time leading rusher Dalvin Cook obviously leaves big shoes to fill with his departure to the NFL, but few teams in the nation can boast more depth than the ‘Noles at the running back position.
Coach Fisher named junior Jacques Patrick as his starter at the beginning of fall camp and is anxious to see how he’ll perform.
The Timber Creek High School alum saw limited action playing behind the workhorse Cook (350 rush yards, 4 TD), but Fisher believes he has the potential to be great.
He’ll have to be to keep his spot, because an incredible group of freshmen will be fighting for the chance to get carries.
True freshman Cam Akers was the top-ranked recruit at the position coming out of high school this past year, and many experts believe he will be the next Seminoles superstar on offense.
He’s actually the highest rated offensive recruit in Florida State’s storied history, coming off a senior season at Clinton High School in Mississippi where he ran for 2,105 yards and 34 touchdowns.
Fellow freshmen phenoms Khalan Laborn (five-star) and Zaquandre White (four-star) are potential gamebreakers, too, but their time to shine may have to wait until the future.
Redshirt senior Ryan Greene and sophomore Amir Rasul are listed with Akers as the backups, and both bring attributes that could give them opportunities.
Redshirt junior Johnathan Vickers will be the starting fullback after converting from tailback, and he’ll be backed up by sophomore Gabe Nabers.
WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS
The Seminoles lose their top four receivers in terms of receptions from last season (Travis Rudolph, Kermit Whitfield, Cook, Bobo Wilson), but the cupboard is far from bare.
Fisher has been very pleased with the three receivers he’ll line up to start against Alabama: junior Nyqwan Murray, junior Auden Tate, and sophomore Keith Gavin.
Murray, a former star at Oak Ridge High School, is the Seminoles’ leading returning receiver (27 receptions, 441 yards, 5 TD in 2016).
“Noonie” capped a solid sophomore season with 104 yards and 2 TDs in the upset win over Michigan in the Orange Bowl.
Murray’s 92 yard touchdown grab in that game was an Orange Bowl record.
Coach Fisher thinks he can be FSU’s new go-to guy, and he even compared his upside to former ‘Noles stars turned NFL receivers Kelvin Benjamin and Rashad Greene following the Garnet and Gold Spring Game.
Tate has the size (6’5, 225 pounds) to give defensive backs fits and become a true red zone threat.
He’s also stood out in the offseason, and hopes to build off a sophomore season (25 receptions, 409 yards, 6 TD) that included a 6 catch, 101 yard, 2 TD day against Boston College.
Gavin is a physical specimen (6’3, 221 pounds) with speed to burn who could be spectacular both as a receiver and as a kickoff returner.
True freshman Tamorrion Terry has received high grades from Jimbo Fisher throughout camp, and East Lake graduate George Campbell (redshirt sophomore) may finally get an opportunity to show what he can do.
Redshirt junior Ryan Izzo (19 receptions, 227 yards, TD in 2016) will start at tight end and is on the Mackey Award Watch List.
He’ll be backed up by redshirt sophomore Mavin Saunders, and true freshman Tre McKitty (Tampa Catholic/IMG Academy) has made an impact since arriving in Tallahassee and could earn himself playing time.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
The biggest question mark for the Seminoles will be their offensive line.
The unit was a weak spot a year ago, and Francois took way too many hits.
Coach Fisher tried to build stability there from day one of fall camp, naming redshirt junior Derrick Kelly II (6’5, 323 pounds) and senior Rick Leonard (6’7, 306 pounds) as his starters at tackle immediately.
Kelly beat out 6’8 redshirt freshman Josh Ball for the left tackle spot.
The ‘Noles have four starters back up front: Leonard, sophomore guards Landon Dickerson (6’6, 310 pounds) and Cole Minshew (6’5, 338 pounds), and center Alec Eberle(6’4, 294 pounds).
There’s no doubt the offensive line will be better, but it’s going to need to be much improved if the Seminoles want to be a true contender.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
Florida State led the league in sacks per game last season (3.92), and 41.5 of the Seminoles 51 sacks came from the defensive line.
The ‘Noles should be loaded there again in 2017 in spite of the loss of DeMarcus Walker (16 sacks) to the NFL.
Sophomore defensive end Brian Burns was an absolute stud in his first season, leading all freshmen nationally with 9.5 sacks.
That sack total was the highest for an FSU freshman since Ron Simmons in 1977.
Burns should be even more difficult to block this year, and fellow end Josh Sweat could finally reach his potential if he can stay healthy.
Sweat had big games against Florida, Michigan, and Syracuse, and finished the year with seven sacks.
The 6’5, 250-pound junior was ranked at the top of the 2015 recruiting class and has next level ability.
The ‘Noles are also stacked in the middle, with 6’1 312-pound senior Derrick Nnadi and 6’4, 308-pound redshirt junior Demarcus Christmas (Manatee HS)leading the way.
Redshirt junior Wally Aime, redshirt junior Fred Jones, redshirt sophomore Jalen Wilkerson, true freshman Joshua Kaindoh, and 332 pound true freshman Marvin Wilson (a Jimbo Fisher favorite) will also get in the mix.
Wilson was the top ranked defensive tackle in the nation and sixth ranked player overall in the 2017 recruiting class.
LINEBACKERS
The big question surrounding the Seminoles defense has been the status of returning tackler Matthew Thomas.
That question has finally been answered.
After missing three weeks of practice, Thomas finally returned to work on Wednesday and is expected to play in the season opener.
The redshirt senior (77 tackles, 11 tackles for a loss in 2016) could be the best linebacker in the ACC.
Evans High School alum Ro’Derrick Hoskins (redshirt senior) was a full-time starter last season, tying for fourth on the team with 53 tackles.
Hoskins looks to build on an impressive end to last season when he racked up career highs in tackles (8) and tackles for a loss (2) in the Orange Bowl win over Michigan.
Rounding out the group is senior Jacob Pugh, an experienced player with a nose for the football (43 tackles last season) who Jimbo Fisher believes is one of FSU’s unsung heroes.
SECONDARY
Florida State may have the best secondary in the nation.
The ‘Noles have an elite group of cornerbacks and safeties who can make plays left and right.
This is the team’s biggest strength, and the return of former Haines City star Derwin James instantly makes the Seminoles a contender.
James is rated as the best player in the nation by ESPN and Sports Illustrated.
The redshirt sophomore safety is a preseason First Team All-American who can change a game with his athleticism and instincts.
James missed most of last season after undergoing knee surgery, but he’s completely healthy now and has looked fabulous all preseason.
James (91 tackles as a freshman in 2015) is on the Bednarik, Maxwell, Nagurski, Thorpe, and Hornung Award watch lists and could also see time on the offensive side of the ball.
He’s a dangerous return man, too, but it’s his play in the secondary that makes him second to none.
James isn’t the only preseason First Team All-American on the ‘Noles roster.
Junior cornerback Tarvarus McFadden joins him in that category after tying for the national lead with eight interceptions last season.
McFadden is also on the Bednarik, Maxwell, Nagurski, and Thorpe Award watch lists and has elite level coverage skills.
Sophomore cornerback Levonta Taylor was a five-star recruit coming into Tallahassee last year who played as a true freshman.
Coach Fisher loves what he can do, and he fully expects Taylor to become a force in his second season.
Senior Trey Marshall and sophomore Kyle Meyers also start in the secondary, while junior A.J. Westbrook (Mainland HS) and speedy sophomore Carlos Becker (Kissimmee Osceola HS) also project to be key contributors.
SPECIAL TEAMS
James, McFadden, and Gavin give the ‘Noles elite level talent in the return game.
Murray, Campbell, Laborn, and Becker are also game breakers who could get an opportunity to showcase their skills in the open field.
The Aguayo family tradition in Tallahassee continues to run strong.
Sophomore kicker Ricky Aguayo immediately burst on the scene as a freshman, going 6-6 on field goals and 3-3 on extra points in the Seminoles’ come-from-behind win over Ole Miss in the 2016 opener.
He finished the season 19-26 on field goals and 51-52 on extra points and is only expected to improve.
Sophomore Logan Tyler has a lot of potential as a punter and will also handle kickoff duties.
Senior Stephen Gabbard in the long snapper, while redshirt senior Jared Jackson will be the holder.
SCHEDULE
September 2- vs. #1 Alabama (Atlanta, Ga.)
September 9- vs. Louisiana-Monroe
September 16- vs. #18 Miami
September 23- vs. NC State
September 30- at Wake Forest
October 14- at Duke
October 21- vs. #16 Louisville
October 27 (Friday)- at Boston College
November 4- vs. Syracuse
November 11- at #5 Clemson
November 18- vs. Delaware State
November 25- at #17 Florida