Florida State football: What would a 53-man roster look like? Here's position breakdown
Florida State football's season opener against Georgia Tech is around the corner.
What would FSU look like if coach Mike Norvell and his coaching staff put together an NFL-style 53-man roster format to prepare for its Week 0 ACC opponent during the Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin, Ireland?
A 53-man roster consists of the starting 11 on offense, defense, and special teams with one backup from each position.
Here's our position breakdown.
Quarterbacks
Analysis: There is no doubt that DJ Uigalelei is the guy.
He has also made strides throughout fall camp and has improved in taking command of the offense and communicating.
Brock Glenn and Luke Kromenhoek put up a good quarterback battle and showed that the future is bright at that position for next year.
Running backs
Lawrance Toafili, Roydell Williams,
Caziah Holmes Kam Davis, Jaylin Lucas
Analysis: The running backs have been the most consistent, and you can see the loaded depth in that position to the point that the Seminoles could likely play five different guys in the backfield.
Lawrance Toafili and Roydell Williams are expected to be the leading backs. Freshman Kam Davis emerged as a reliable backup and contributed to short-yard runs.
Jaylin Lucas, as the speed back will be utilized as a mismatch, especially in the passing game. The name not mentioned is Samuel Singleton Jr., who had a great camp. Norvell and RB's coach David Johnson praised him for his pass protection.
Wide Receivers
Malik Benson, Hykeem Williams, Ja'Khi Douglas,
Jalen Brown, Elijah Moore, Kentron Poitier, LaWayne McCoy
Analysis: There are still questions than answers on the wide receiver position. Outside Malik Benson, who will be the go-to target? It is uncertain who will be the second or third option.
Each receiver has been and night and day. Freshmen Elijah Moore and LaWayne McCoy and LSU transfer have been most impressive throughout camp and earned the right to be in the rotation.
There is still hope for seniors Kentron Poitier and Darion Williamson, as the wide receiver battle could continue during the season.
Tight ends
Jackson West,
Brian Courtney
Analysis: Kyle Morlock has been a rockstar as he leads the tight-end group. He's another security blanket for Uiagalelei.
Brian Courtney has made the biggest improvement in recent practices. Mike Norvell has been pleased with his emergence as a leaping catcher and could see more action during red zone plays.
Freshman Amaree Williams and Landen Thomas have shown promises to be the tight ends of the future, but there hurry to put them in the rotation.
Tackles
Darius Washington, Jeremiah Byers
Jaylen Early, Robert Scott
Analysis: The tackle spots are self-explanatory. Darius Washington will anchor the offensive line at left tackle as he enters his sixth and final year.
Washington is likely projected to be an All-American this season. Jeremiah Byers will be back, starting right after every game last year.
Guards
Richie Leonard IV, Keiondre Jones,
Bryson Estes, Andre Otto
Analysis: Norvell did a splendid job adding depth to the offensive line, especially the guard spot, which was going into this season after losing two starters from last year.
Richie Leonard IV has been a key addition to the left guard team after four years in Florida.
Playing behind D'Mitri Emmanuel while adjusting to a new offense has benefitted Keiondre Jones, who is expected to be in the lineup at right guard. Before he was at FSU, Jones started 22 games at Auburn.
Centers
Andre Otto
Analysis: Next to Washington, Smith is FSU's top lineman, and both will co-anchor the starting five. Smith is a two-ACC center entering his final year as a Seminole.
Jacob Rizy is a work in progress as the Harvard transfer continues to settle, while Andre Otto has been on the rise and probably has worked his way into being a starter-in-waiting in the interior.
Defensive Line
Patrick Payton, Joshua Farmer, Darrell Jackson, Marvin Jones Jr.,
Byron Turner, Sione Lolohea, Tomiwa Durojaiye, DJ Lyons
Analysis: The defensive line is the strength of the defense. Edge rusher Patrick Payton and defensive tackle Joshua Farmer were All-ACC performers last season.
Darrell Jackson will finally take the stage after missing all of last year due to NCAA transfer rules. Marvin Jones Jr. was spectacular during the spring.
The Georgia transfer has been banged up and limited all of camp but has been a full-go and is expected to be good complimentary to Payton.
Sione Lolohea and Tomiwa Durojaiye are key additions to the defensive front and will likely be involved in the rotation.
Linebackers
DJ Lundy, Cam Riley
Blake Nichelson Justin Cryer
Analysis: Going into this season, there were questions about the inside linebacker corps. Cam Riley answered those questions after he arrived from Auburn.
Riley has also been spectacular throughout camp and is likely to start alongside All-ACC player DJ Lundy. Blake Nichelson and Justin Cryer are the future of the Seminoles, and both could see significant roles this year.
Secondary
Cornerbacks
Fentrell Cypress, Azareye Thomas, Kevin Knowles II,
Earl Little Jr., Ricky Knight II, Edwin Joseph
Analysis: The secondary as a whole is the deepest on defense, especially at cornerbacks. Fentrell Cypress and Azareye Thomas will be the starting corners, and Knowles returns at the nickel spot.
FSU could still use some young talents, such as Ricky Knight III, Edwin Joseph, Ja'Bril Rawls, and Earl Little Jr.
All of them have shown promise during camp. You can't play them all, but according to DB coach Patrick Surtain, they will be ready when their name is called.
Safeties
Omarion Cooper, Conrad Hussey
Analysis: Shyheim Brown is bound for an All-American season as he leads the safety spot. Who will play alongside him is still up in the air.
Davonte Brown and Omarion Cooper both have experience at the position, and they also show versatility, so they can play anywhere in the secondary.
Conrad Hussey has also been in the mix and could push into the rotation. Redshirt freshman K.J. Kirkland was also an emerging talent during the camp.
Kicker, Punters, Specialists
Ryan Fitzgerald (K),
Alex Mastromanno (P),
Mason Arnold (LS)
Analysis: Placekicker Ryan Fitzgerald and Punter Alex Mastromanno are All-American candidates. Mastronmanno already has that preseason honor and is on the Ray Guy Award Watch List.
After converting 90 percent of his field goals last year, Fitzgerald is not far off, earning him All-ACC honors last year. Fitzgerald is on the Lou Groza Award Watch List.
Return Specialists
Malik Benson, Jaylin Lucas,
Ja'Khi Douglas, Duece Spann, Jalen Brown
Analysis: There is speed in the return game, and at least one of them could take one to the house.
Your best bet could be Jaylin Lucas. Lucas already has a track record scoring touchdowns on kickoff returns back in Indiana, where he tied the school record with three TDs from kickoff returns.
Benson and Douglas are likely will see action on punt return. Freshman Micachi Danzy might be in the mix as he has impressed with his breakaway speed.
Reminder: This is not a Florida State depth chart. It is an analytic projection based on returning starters from last year and key additions from this offseason who we project could see playing time this year.
Florida State football schedule 2024
Aug. 24 vs. Georgia Tech *Dublin, Ireland at noon., ESPN
Sept. 2 vs. Boston College at 7:30 p.m., ESPN
Sept. 14 vs. Memphis
Sept. 21 vs. California
Sept. 28 at SMU
Oct. 5 vs. Clemson
Oct. 18 at Duke
Oct. 26 at (U) Miami
Nov. 2 vs. North Carolina
Nov. 9 at Notre Dame
Nov. 23 vs. Charleston Southern
Nov. 30: Florida
Dec. 7:ACC Championship
BOLD = ACC
* = Neutral Site
Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics for Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at PHolland@Gannett.com or on X @_Da_pistol.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU football: What 53-man roster for upcoming season would look like
