Offensive Analysis
The attack wasn't all that shabby last year averaging 32.3 points and 403 yards per game, but now the Seminole offense will look like it's old national championship self with nine starters returning including QB Chris Rix, WR Craphonso Thorpe and OT Alex Barron. The line is loaded with NFL talent while the skill positions are filled with more talent than ever. It all comes down to Rix as he needs to play up to be a consistent playmaker with all the talent around him.
Star of the offense: Senior WR Craphonso Thorpe
Player that has to step up and become a star: Junior RB Leon Washington
Unsung star on the rise: Junior OG Matt Meinrod
Best pro prospect: Senior OT Alex Barron
Top three all-star candidates: 1) Barron, 2) Thorpe, 3) QB Chris Rix
Strength of the offense: Offensive line
Weakness of the offense: Quarterback depth
Quarterbacks
Projected Starter
- Chris Rix, Sr. - Rix has as much talent as any quarterback in the country, he has a loaded offense full of experience to work with, and he has 34 starts of experience to rely on. If it all comes together and he improves his decision making ability, he has all the makings of a Heisman winner and first round draft pick. If he continues to make bad plays in key moments, Florida State won't win the ACC title. Even with all the knocks against him, it's hard to argue with his overall production and his fearlessness. Sometimes he'll throw the greatest pass you've ever seen, like the 52-yard scoring strike to P.K. Sam to beat Florida, and other times he'll force an I-can't-believe-he-threw-that pass. With his size, arm and speed, he's an almost perfect prospect; now he has to show he has the mental game.
Top Backups
- Wyatt Sexton, Soph. - Sexton has the number two job now that Fabian Walker has transferred. He's a big quarterback with a decent arm and good accuracy. He won't run for many yards and doesn't have the jaw-dropping skills everyone has come to expect from FSU quarterbacks, but he's a good reserve quarterback to have.
- Xavier Lee, Fr. - The 6-4, 200-pound superstar recruit holds Florida's all-time record for passing yards (9,082), completions (549) and touchdowns (98). He isn't just a big and accurate passer, he is a fantastic athlete clocking in a 4.5 40.
The Skinny: Chris Rix has never had the type of talent around that
he has coming into this year, and now he has to take advantage and become
a Heisman-caliber performer. The problem is depth. Rix runs so much that he
takes several big shots, so Wyatt Sexton and elite recruit Xavier Lee have
to be ready to step in.
Player to keep an eye on: Xavier Lee ... Quarterback Rating: 8.5
Running Backs
Projected Starter
- Leon Washington, Jr. - Washington has mostly been a superstar punt returner averaging 11.6 yards on 50 career returns, and now he'll be one of the most explosive backs in the ACC. Even though he isn't all that big, he's powerful and quick rushing for 387 yards ad a touchdown last year. He missed four games with a dislocated elbow and had ankle surgery this spring, but he'll be ready to go this fall.
- Fullback B.J. Dean, Jr. - Dean and James Coleman will combine at fullback. The 258-pound Dean started seven games last year and ran for 61 yards and a touchdown. His experience should earn him the starting spot again once he comes back from his knee injury.
Top Backups
- Lorenzo Booker, Soph. - 2002's top recruit is one of college football's quickest backs with lightning speed once he gets past the line. He didn't see too many carries with Greg Jones and Leon Washington seeing most of the work, but he was still able to average 5.4 yards per run tearing off 334 yards and three touchdowns to go along with 19 catches for 86 yards.
- James Coleman, Jr. - The 245-pound junior will combine with incumbent starter B.J. Dean at fullback. Neither will get the ball much used for their blocking. Coleman had shoulder surgery this spring but will be back as a spot starter
The Skinny: There isn't a Greg Jones-like power back to get the tough
yards, but there isn't a quicker pair of running backs than Leon Washington
and Lorenzo Booker. They can both catch and are both deadly in the open field.
The concern is over durability as they were banged up last year and aren't
going to last if they need to combing for 250 carries.
Player to keep an eye on: Lorenzo Booker ... Running Back Rating: 8.5
Receivers
Projected Starters
- Craphonso Thorpe, Jr. - Thorpe is one of the nation's premier deep threats averaging 20 yards per catch over the last three years busting out with an All-American 51-catch, 994-yard, 11 touchdown season before breaking his leg on one of the final plays in the win over NC State. The former ACC sprint champion will be back and ready to roll this fall.
- Chauncey Stovall, Sr. - Stovall will take over P.K. Sam's spot after Sam left early for the NFL. Stovall stepped up his play when Craphonso Thorpe went down highlighted by a big Orange Bowl catching four passes for 79 yards. The 6-2, 216-pound senior has good speed averaging 17.9 yards per catch, but he real strength is, well, his strength able to flick away small defensive backs. He made 19 catches for 340 yards and two touchdowns.
- Tight end Paul Irons, Sr. - Irons will combine with Donnie Carter and Matt Henshaw at tight end. None of them will play a major role in the passing game, but Irons' blocking ability and good hands will get him the start. He caught six passes for 79 yards.
Top Backups
- Dominic Robinson, Sr. - Robinson has the size and athleticism to be a major factor as a number three receiver. He averaged 17.8 yards per catch last year making 16 catches for 285 yards and a touchdown, and he'll once again be a top punt returner.
- Willie Reid, Jr. - The former running back has tremendous skills with quickness and good hands. He has 305 career rushing yards with three touchdowns to go along with his 26 catches for 226 yards and a touchdown. He'll backup Chauncey Stovall at split end.
- Chris Davis, Soph. - Davis is as explosive and as talented as any of the Seminole receivers, but he first has to get over an ankle injury that kept him down this spring. He caught 23 passes for 264 yards and two touchdowns last year.
The Skinny: If Craphonso Thorpe is 100% after his broken leg, the receiving
corps will be fine. There are more than enough weapons to get the ball to
as Chauncey Stovall and Dominic Robinson appear ready for explosive seasons,
while young players like Chris Davis and DeCody Fagg are going to quickly
be stars. But it's Thorpe that will be the All-American that everything revolves
around.
Player to keep an eye on: Chauncey Stovall ... Receiver Rating: 9
Offensive Line
Projected Starters
- Tackle Alex Barron, Sr. - A CFN First-Team All-American, the 6-6, 325-pound Barron still has plenty of room to grow into a dominant all-around blocker. He's one of the best run blocking tackles to ever play for Bobby Bowden to go along with his NFL-caliber pass blocking skills.
- Guard Matt Meinrod, Jr. - Formerly an average backup, the 297-pound junior turned into a fantastic guards with great technique and an excellent motor. He earned a few All-ACC honors and should grow into a first-teamer if he continues to be a dominant run blocker.
- Center David Castillo, Jr. - The second-team All-ACC center has had a few problems with injuries over his career and missed spring ball with a bad shoulder, but he'll be ready to start the year. There are few tougher linemen as he played through a broken foot last season.
- Guard Bobby Meeks, Sr. - Meeks started nine games last year missing time for various medical reasons from tonsillitis to a bum shoulder. He also has off-the-field issues after being charged with battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest with violence after he and his uncle had an altercation with police in a parking lot outside a nightclub. Because both charges are felonies, Meeks will be unable to play in any games until the case is resolved or the charges are reduced or dropped. He's a big, athletic guard with plenty of skills, but his various problems have allowed Ron Lunford and Eric Broe to battle for the starting job.
- Tackle Ray Willis, Sr. - Willis was the only returning starter to the line last year and his leadership and steady play proved to be invaluable. The 6-6, 325-pound senior will be an early round draft pick next year with his combination of great feet and powerful run blocking ability.
Top Backups
- OG Ron Lunford, Jr. - The 358-pound Lunford needs to get in better shape, but he's powerful enough to play at guard and talented enough to play tackle. He's huge and a big blocker ready to step in for Bobby Meeks if Meeks continues to have injury problems.
- C John Frady, Soph. - Frady saw time as a true freshman filling in for David Castillo and did a great job. He was good in the emergency role and will be a top player in the future for the Seminole line.
- OT Mario Henderson, Soph. - The 6-7, 307-pound sophomore saw time in the rotation as a true freshman backing up Alex Barron. He'll be groomed as the team's top tackle for next year and got time with the first team this spring with Barron out.
The Skinny: The line was a major concern going into last year with
only one starter returning, and it turned into a great all-around group as
the season went on. As good as players like Alex Barron and David Castillo
have been, the line still gave up too many sacks (25) and was merely average
in the running game. Expect that to change as the Noles have at least three
NFL-caliber linemen (Barron, Castillo and tackle Ray Willis) to form the nucleus
of one of the nation's best lines.
Player to keep an eye on: Matt Meinrod ... Offensive Line Rating: 9.5
