5 things to watch in Seminoles’ spring game Saturday

Florida Point out will hold its yearly spring recreation Saturday night time with guest coaches and former Seminoles standouts Peter Boulware, Danny Kanell, EJ Manuel and Bryant McFadden.

Right here are 5 factors we’ll be looking at at Doak Campbell Stadium.

1. Has quarterback Jordan Travis taken an additional phase ahead?

Mentor Mike Norvell thinks so. Soon after a latest scrimmage, Norvell claimed that Travis is “in a a lot better place” than he was at any place past time and the redshirt junior is the starter. When nutritious, Travis is a very great higher education quarterback. The Seminoles averaged 53 a lot more yards and nearly 16 a lot more points for every game in his eight commences previous calendar year as opposed with their four other contests.

Travis has room to expand with his precision — his 62.9 completion proportion rated 51st nationally — and consistency.

Also, Saturday is the debut of blue-chip early enrollee quarterback AJ Duffy.

2. Who is this year’s Jermaine Johnson?

Johnson was a job participant at Ga (4 starts in excess of two seasons) before transferring to FSU. His breakout spring activity previous calendar year (two sacks and a quarterback hurry) foreshadowed his explosion into the ACC’s defensive player of the calendar year and a likely prime-10 decide on in following month’s NFL draft.

It is unfair to count on any individual to replicate Johnson’s achievement, but FSU requirements powerful move rushers to emerge, starting off this weekend. Albany transfer Jared Verse had 10½ sacks and 13 quarterback hurries previous yr and will have a likelihood to star. Keep an eye, much too, on Derrick McLendon (in close proximity to ideal), who recorded 24 tackles by means of 3 seasons and has amazed coaches this spring.

3. Does FSU have playmakers at receiver?

When Norvell was employed, he promised his offense would be created for playmakers. The Seminoles did not have sufficient of them at receiver they had been tied for 97th nationally last season with only 14 catches of at least 30 yards.

FSU tried to deal with that by means of the transfer portal, introducing Mycah Pittman (Oregon), Johnny Wilson (Arizona Point out) and Lakewood High alumnus Deuce Spann (Illinois). Saturday is the to start with total look at their possible, together with possibilities to test out the improvement of Malik McClain (11, left) and Ja’Khi Douglas, who have demonstrated flashes of currently being real playmakers.

4. How does the secondary glimpse?

FSU did not look like a system acknowledged for its defensive backs past calendar year. It gave up 25 passing touchdowns (tied for 95th nationally) and was crushed deep much too many times, together with on the closing participate in in the 20-17 rock-bottom reduction to Jacksonville State.

The great news for FSU lovers is that the secondary is unique. Jarvis Brownlee is in the transfer portal. The Seminoles’ best two recruits, Sam McCall and Azareye’h Thomas, are defensive backs, and Louisville transfer Greedy Vance has ACC expertise (nine job starts off). Their additions, alongside with the return of all-ACC security Jammie Robinson and the advancement of Akeem Dent, are explanations for optimism about a turnaround.

5. Who is earning more touches at managing again?

Even though FSU shed last year’s major rusher, Jashaun Corbin, to the draft, the Seminoles haven’t seemed worried. That is since they are deep at the situation with former Tampa Bay Tech products Treshaun Ward (still left), Pinellas Park alumnus Lawrance Toafili and Oregon transfer Trey Benson, between others.

The Seminoles will rotate players via the year and once more discover artistic techniques to put a number of backs on the industry at as soon as. But who and how? Saturday will present the first clues, such as assessing Benson’s health soon after a knee personal injury and the developments of Toafili and Ward.

Get hold of Matt Baker at [email protected]. Follow @MBakerTBTimes.

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