The 2015 Florida State Seminoles football team, variously Florida State or FSU, represented Florida State University in the sport of American football during the 2015 NCAA Division I FBS college football season. Florida State competed in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The Seminoles were led by sixth-year head coach Jimbo Fisher and played their home games at Bobby Bowden Field at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida. They were members of the Atlantic Coast Conference, playing in the Atlantic Division. It was the Seminoles' 24th season as a member of the ACC and its 11th in the ACC Atlantic Division.
Florida State came into the season after a two-year run (2013 and 2014) in which the Seminoles won 27 games with a pair of ACC Championships, a BCS National Title, an appearance in the College Football Playoff, a Heisman Trophy winner, and eighteen NFL draft selections.
They finished the season 10–3, 6–2 in ACC play, to finish in second place in the Atlantic Division. They were invited to the Peach Bowl where they lost to Houston.
Florida State seniors – Giorgio Newberry, Derrick Mitchell, Nile Lawrence-Stample, Reggie Northrup, Terrance Smith, Tyler Hunter, Javien Elliott, Keelin Smith, Lamarcus Brutus and Cason Beatty – ended their college careers with 49 wins over the course of four seasons, becoming the winningest class in school history.
Before the season
Returning
Offense
The Seminoles returned three starters on offense: Sean Maguire Dalvin Cook Mario Pender Travis Rudolph Ermon Lane Roderick Johnson Ryan Hoefield Freddie Stevenson Kermit Whitfield Jesus Wilson
Defense
The Seminoles returned seven starters on defense: Nile Lawrence-Stample Jalen Ramsey Lorenzo Featherston DeMarcus Walker Matthew Thomas Jacob Pugh Nate Andrews Trey Marshall Derrick Mitchell Reggie Northrup Terrance Smith Tyler Hunter Chris Casher Derrick Nnadi Marquez White Lamarcus Brutus
Special teams
The Seminoles returned two starters on special teams: Roberto Aguayo Cason Beatty
Departures
Offense Jameis Winston Rashad Greene Nick O'Leary Karlos Williams Christian Green Josue Matias Cameron Erving Tre' Jackson Bobby Hart Austin Barron
Defense Desmond Hollin P. J. Williams Mario Edwards Jr. Ronald Darby Eddie Goldman
Transfers Everett Golson (from Notre Dame)
Offense Ruben Carter (to Toledo) John Franklin III (to East Mississippi CC/Auburn) Isaiah Jones (to East Mississippi CC)
Defense E.J. Levenberry (to Connecticut)
Recruiting class Calvin Brewton, George Campbell, Derwin James, De'Andre Johnson, Jacques Patrick, Da'Vante Phillips and Josh Sweat were early enrollees.
Coaching changes After the 2014 season, defensive ends coach Sal Sunseri took a job with the Oakland Raiders. He was replaced by University of Florida assistant Brad Lawing.
Spring game
Personnel
Coaching staff Florida State Seminoles coachesHead coach Jimbo Fisher Assistant coaches Rick Trickett – Assistant head coach and offensive line coach Charles Kelly – Defensive coordinator and secondary coach Randy Sanders – Co-Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Lawrence Dawsey – Co-Offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach Brad Lawing – Defensive head coach/defensive ends coach Odell Haggins – Associate coach/defensive line coach Jay Graham – Running backs coach/special teams coordinator Tim Brewster – Tight ends coach/recruiting coordinator Bill Miller – Linebackers coach Vic viloria – Head strength and conditioning coach
Support staff
Addison Lynch Kurt Kennedy Jeremiah Wilson Brian Williams Jamie Mujeni Bert Biffani David Spurlock Matt McCutchan Andrew Priest Mike Warren Mario Edwards Sr.
Roster Freshman quarterback De'Andre Johnson was dismissed from the team after being charged with a misdemeanor. 2015 Florida State SeminolesQuarterback 6 Everett Golson – senior (6'0, 199) 10 Sean Maguire – junior (6'3, 221) 12 Deondre Francois – freshman (6'1, 203) 16 J.J. Cosentino – freshman (6'4, 239)
Running back 4 Dalvin Cook – sophomore (5'11, 202) 7 Mario Pender – junior (5'10, 196) 9 Jacques Patrick – freshman (6'2, 235) 23 Freddie Stevenson – junior (6'1, 241) (FB) 26 Jonathan Vickers – sophomore (6'1, 226)
Wide receiver 1 Ermon Lane – sophomore (6'3, 205) 3 Jesus Wilson – junior (5'10, 185) 5 Da'Vante Phillips – freshman (6'1, 210) 8 Kermit Whitfield – junior (5'8, 184) 11 George Campbell – freshman (6'4, 202) 13 Ja'Vonn Harrison – sophomore (6'2, 202) 15 Travis Rudolph – sophomore (6'1, 186) 18 Auden Tate – freshman (6'5, 216) 80 Nyqwan Murray – freshman (5'11, 171) 87 Jared Jackson – sophomore (6'2, 196)
Tight end 81 Ryan Izzo – freshman (6'5, 241) 83 Jalen Wilkerson – freshman (6'4, 253) 85 Jeremy Kerr – sophomore (6'6, 266) 88 Mavin Saunders – freshman (6'5, 248) Offensive line 52 David Robbins – freshman (6'4, 322) 54 Alec Eberle – freshman (6'4, 294) 55 Chad Mavety – junior (6'5, 337) 57 Corey Martinez – freshman (6'4, 295) 59 Ryan Hoefield – sophomore (6'2, 299) 62 Ethan Frith – freshman (6'7, 299) 70 Cole Minshew – freshman (6'5, 340) 71 Brock Ruble – freshman (6'8, 307) 72 Kareem Are – junior (6'6, 334) 74 Derrick Kelly Jr. – freshman (6'5, 312) 75 Abdul Bello – freshman (6'6. 307) 77 Roderick Johnson – sophomore (6'7, 323) 78 Wilson Bell – sophomore (6'5, 316)
Defensive line 4 Giorgio Newberry – senior (6'6, 295) 9 Josh Sweat – freshman (6'5, 237) 11 Derrick Mitchell – senior (6'4, 305) 12 Arthur Williams – freshman (6'4, 318) 21 Chris Casher – junior (6'4, 256) 41 Lorenzo Featherston – sophomore (6'7, 229) 44 DeMarcus Walker – junior (6'3, 281) 55 Fredrick Jones – freshman (6'2, 304) 67 Adam Torres – freshman (6'4, 285) 86 Darvin Taylor – freshman (6'3, 308) 90 Demarcus Christmas – freshman (6'3, 301) 91 Derrick Nnadi – sophomore (6'1, 301) 92 Justin Shanks – junior (6'2 322) 95 Keith Bryant – sophomore (6'2, 294) 98 Rick Leonard – sophomore (6'7, 281) 99 Nile Lawrence-Stample – senior (6'1, 302) Linebacker 5 Reggie Northrup – senior (6'1, 231) 6 Matthew Thomas – sophomore (6'3, 225) 16 Jacob Pugh – sophomore (6'4, 239) 18 Ro'Derrick Hoskins – sophomore (6'2, 238) 22 Tyrell Lyons – sophomore (6'1, 219) 24 Terrance Smith – senior (6'4, 230) 30 Sh'Mar Kilby-Lane – freshman (6'1, 212) 35 Lorenzo Phillips – junior (6'2, 225) 45 Delvin Purifoy – freshman (6'2, 257)
Defensive back 1 Tyler Hunter – senior (5'11, 198) 3 Derwin James – freshman (6'3, 212) 7 Ryan Green – junior (5'11, 201) 8 Jalen Ramsey – junior (6'1, 202) 10 Calvin Brewton – freshman (6'0, 178) 13 Marcus Lewis – freshman (6'1, 192) 14 Javien Elliott – senior (5'11, 176) 15 Tarvarus McFadden – freshman (6'2, 197) 19 A.J. Westbrook – freshman (6'0, 184) 20 Trey Marshall – sophomore (6'0, 207) 27 Marquez White – sophomore (6'0, 184) 28 Malique Jackson – sophomore (6'0, 176) 29 Nate Andrews – junior (6'0, 206) 37 Keelin Smith – Senior (6'3, 190) 42 Lamarcus Brutus – senior (6'0, 207)
Special teams 19 Roberto Aguayo – junior (6'1, 204) (K) 38 Cason Beatty – senior (6'3, 215) (P) (H) 47 Stephen Gabbard – sophomore (6'3, 217) (LS)
Depth chart (Depth Chart Notations: Name, Year at FSU/total years of eligibility, Games started in 2014)
Statistics
Scores by quarter (all opponents)
Scores by quarter (ACC opponents)
Rankings
Season Florida State was picked to finish second in the ACC Atlantic. Roberto Aguayo, Roderick Johnson, Jalen Ramsey, and Terrance Smith were named to the preseason All-ACC team.
Schedule
Game summaries
Texas State
South Florida
Boston College
Wake Forest
Miami (FL)
Louisville
Georgia Tech
Syracuse
Clemson
NC State
Chattanooga
Florida
Peach Bowl: Houston
Awards Jacobs Blocking Trophy Roderick Johnson Jim Brown Award Dalvin Cook
Watchlists Players Johnny Unitas Award Everett Golson Lott Trophy Jalen Ramsey Maxwell Award Dalvin Cook Everett Golson Bednarik Award Jalen Ramsey Terrance Smith Lou Groza Award Roberto Aguayo Outland Trophy Roderick Johnson Nagurski Award Jalen Ramsey Terrance Smith Jim Thorpe Award Jalen Ramsey Lombardi Award Reggie Northrup Terrance Smith Roderick Johnson Butkus Award Reggie Northrup Terrance Smith Walter Camp Award Everett Golson Wuerffel Trophy Roberto Aguayo Doak Walker Award Dalvin Cook Ray Guy Award Cason Beatty Coaches Dodd Trophy Jimbo Fisher Bear Bryant Award Jimbo Fisher Pre-season All-Americans Roberto Aguayo (Lindy's, Athlon, Phil Steele, Sporting News, CBS Sports, ESPN, Sports Illustrated) Jalen Ramsey (Lindy's, Athlon, Phil Steele, Sporting News, Sports Illustrated) Dalvin Cook (Athlon) Terrance Smith (Phil Steele)
Finalists Players Burlsworth Trophy Javien Elliott Coaches Broyles Award Charles Kelly Quarterfinalists Wuerffel Trophy Cason Beatty Lott Trophy Jalen Ramsey Semifinalists Jim Thorpe Award Jalen Ramsey Maxwell Award Dalvin Cook Bednarik Award Jalen Ramsey Lou Groza Award Roberto Aguayo Lott Trophy Jalen Ramsey Doak Walker Award Dalvin Cook Walter Camp Award Dalvin Cook
Honors ACC Player of the Week Everett Golson (offensive back) Dalvin Cook (offensive back) Roderick Johnson (offensive lineman) Jalen Ramsey (defensive back) Roberto Aguayo (Specialist) Terrance Smith (Linebacker) Trey Marshall (defensive back) DeMarcus Walker (defensive lineman) Kermit Whitfield (Receiver) Jacob Pugh (Linebacker) Travis Rudolph (Receiver) Jacques Patrick (rookie) Derwin James (defensive back) DeMarcus Walker (defensive lineman) In addition to conference honors, Dalvin Cook has been recognized by the Walter Camp Foundation and the Football Writers Association.
All-ACC Name Selection Roderick Johnson* First Team (Offense) Dalvin Cook*† First Team (Offense) Roberto Aguayo* First Team (Offense) Jalen Ramsey* First Team (Defense) Travis Rudolph* Second Team/Honorable Mention (Offense) Kermit Whitfield* Second Team (Offense) DeMarcus Walker* Second Team/Third Team (Defense) Nile Lawrence-Stample* Second Team/First Team (Defense) Reggie Northrup* Second Team (Defense) Kareem Are* Third Team/Honorable Mention (Offense) Derrick Nnadi Third Team (Defense) Derwin James Third Team (Defense) Chad Mavety Honorable Mention (Offense) Terrance Smith Honorable Mention (Defense) Lamarcus Brutus Honorable Mention (Defense) Kermit Whitfield* Honorable Mention/Third Team (special teams) Cason Beatty Honorable Mention (special teams) †denotes unanimous selection*indicates selection by media and coaches
All-Americans Jalen Ramsey was named a consensus All-American. Name AP AFCA FWAA TSN WCFF USA Today Athlon CBS ESPN SI Roderick Johnson 2nd 2nd Hon. Mention Dalvin Cook 2nd 1st 2nd 2nd 1st 2nd 1st Jalen Ramsey 2nd 1st 2nd 2nd 1st 2nd 1st 2nd 1st 2nd Derwin James Fresh. Fresh. Fresh. Hon. Mention Roberto Aguayo 1st 2nd 1st Hon. Mention †denotes unanimous selection. NCAA recognizes a selection to all five of the AP, AFCA, FWAA, SN and WCFF 1st teams for unanimous selections and three of five for consensus selections.
All-Star games Game Date Site Players 1st Tropic Bowl January 17, 2016 North Miami Stadium, North Miami, Florida Lamarcus Brutus, Giorgio Newberry 5th NFLPA Collegiate Bowl January 23, 2016 StubHub Center, Carson, California Reggie Northrup 91st East–West Shrine Game January 23, 2016 Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Florida Terrance Smith, Nile Lawrence-Stample 18th All-Star Football Challenge February 5, 2016 AT&T Stadium, Dallas, Texas Roberto Aguayo, Jalen Ramsey
NFL draft The following players were selected in the 2016 NFL draft: 1st 5th 5th Jalen Ramsey Cornerback Jacksonville Jaguars 2nd 28th 59th Roberto Aguayo Kicker Tampa Bay Buccaneers The following players signed as undrafted free agents: