Florida State starts fall camp on Monday and for those FSU fans who haven’t given Noles247 a try, we wanted to remind you that we are honoring your subscription to any other FSU site online. We will match your subscription for free, find out more here: Sign up now!
With Florida State opening up fall camp today, Noles247 has everything you need to follow along as everything develops, right here. This feature will provide you with everything from a link to the camp schedule, to highlights of position battles and the top newcomers to look forward to.
Camp Schedule
8/5: Players report
8/6: First day of practice (helmets and shorts)
8/7: Practice (helmets and shorts)
8/8: Practice (helmets, shoulder pads and shorts)
8/9: Practice (helmets, shoulder pads and shorts)
8/10: Off
8/11: First two-a-day practice (first day of full pads)
8/12: Media Day, fan day begins at noon at the Civic Center
8/13: Two-a-day practice
8/14: Practice
8/15: Scrimmage
8/16: Off
8/17: Practice
8/18: Two-a-day practice
8/19: Practice
8/20: Off
8/21: Two-a-day practice
8/22: Practice
8/23: Scrimmage
8/24: Kickoff Luncheon at Civic Center
8/25: Practice
Camp handbook
2012 Florida State Football Roster
Position previews
Quarterbacks
Running backs
Tight ends
Offensive line
Wide receivers
Defensive ends
Defensive tackles
Linebackers
Defensive backs
Specialists
Top five newcomers to keep an eye on
Florida State fans can't wait to get a glimpse of Mario Edwards, Jr. in a Seminole uniform.
Watson, a JUCO transfer, will definitely be an offensive linemen worth watching. With his impressive size and all of the hype surrounding how good his footwork is, Watson just may make his way into the starting group of linemen by the time camp comes to a close.
Another JUCO transfer, Glauser looks to provide Florida State with depth in the trenches in 2012. Can the senior unseat one of the younger linemen ahead of him on the depth chart?
After losing Shawn Powell, this one is a no brainer. Beatty struggled in the spring game and Florida State will need him to get back on track for his first season and it all starts with his first career fall camp.
Eligwe's size is overly impressive for a true freshman. With the Florida State linebacking corps thin at the moment, Eligwe's size and athleticism may be just what the Seminoles need when it comes to depth. Also, be on the lookout for the progress of Eligwe's fellow true freshman counterpart, Reggie Northrup.
Edwards, Jr. has to be on this list with all of the hype he has heading into his first season at Florida State. Some are worried about his size being too much for a defensive end, but the Texas native will be looking to remove any doubts about his play at the position over the course of two-a-days.
By Sean Grimm
Position battles to watch
Quarterback
EJ Manuel of course has the starting spot sewn up, so the competition is for the No. 2 job. Third-year sophomore Clint Trickett, who held the job last year, will attempt to fend off redshirt freshman Jacob Coker. Trickett's experience should give him a head start, but Coker does have impressive size and athleticism.
Running back
If each are healthy, then senior Chris Thompson and sophomore Devonta Freeman figure to see most of the action. There are questions, though, around each, which means that sophomore James Wilder Jr., freshman Mario Pender and even senior fullback Lonnie Pryor could have opportunities to impress and earn carries.
Wide receiver
FSU has plenty of established commodities at receiver, but two players to keep an eye on are Willie Haulstead and Kelvin Benjamin. Haulstead is attempting to return to form after missing a year off from a concussion while Benjamin, who redshirted a year ago, is looking to crack the Seminoles' receiver rotation. The two could be competing for opportunities this fall.
Tight end
Nick O'Leary is the clear-cut No. 1, but there should be a healthy competition between Will Tye, former defensive end Dan Hicks and the recently added Kevin Haplea to be Florida State's second tight end. Freshman Christo Kourtzidis could potentially be in the mix here as well.
Offensive line
This is likely where most of the shuffling will occur. Tre Jackson and Josue Matias are seemingly entrenched at guard and Austin Barron is the likely favorite to earn the center job, but FSU still has questions to answer at tackle. Cameron Erving impressed in the spring at left tackle, but has yet to play a down of competitive football from the position. And after getting a jump on right tackle from his experience last season, Bobby Hart was overtaken in the spring by Bryan Stork. The two figure to continue that competition throughout August.
Defensive line
FSU has plenty of stability and depth along the defensive line — Brandon Jenkins and Bjoern Werner are two of the nation's top defensive ends, and seniors Everett Dawkins and Anthony McCloud are more than capable in the interior. Dan Hicks' departure to tight end means there will be a battle between Giorgio Newberry, Toshmon Stevens and a freshman — probably Mario Edwards Jr. — to get in the rotation behind Jenkins. Also looking to impress will be senior Jacobbi McDaniel, who is attempting to return for a gruesome ankle injury and faces stiff competition from talented younger players.
Linebacker
As they did for much of last season, Vince Williams and Telvin Smith figure to battle for reps at middle linebacker. If Williams is still feeling any lingering effects from a broken leg suffered in the spring, Smith could have an advantage. Also worth keeping an eye on is senior Nick Moody's transition to strong side linebacker. If Moody performs well, the job should be his. If he struggles to adapt, there could be an opening for redshirt freshman Terrance Smith.
Secondary
Of course, the focus will be on the void left by the dismissed Greg Reid. FSU's coaches will likely try to find a suitable replacement from a newcomer rather than break up the three proven commodities in the secondary — safeties Lamarcus Joyner and Terrence Brooks and corner Xavier Rhodes. Nick Waisome, Keelin Smith and Tyler Hunter should all be involved both here and in the race for the nickel back position.
By Tim Linafelt
Florida State starts fall camp on Monday and for those FSU fans who haven’t given Noles247 a try, we wanted to remind you that we are honoring your subscription to any other FSU site online. We will match your subscription for free, find out more here: Sign up now!
