The 2017 Florida State Seminoles football team represented Florida State University in the sport of American football during the 2017 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Seminoles competed in the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference and were led by eighth-year head coach Jimbo Fisher until he left to coach at Texas A&M before the final game of the regular season. They were then coached by interim head coach Odell Haggins. Home games were played at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida.
In 2016, the Seminoles won 10 games for the fifth straight season and appeared in the Orange Bowl, a fifth consecutive appearance in a major bowl game. Running back Dalvin Cook, defensive end DeMarcus Walker, offensive tackle Roderick Johnson and cornerback Marquez White went on to be selected in the NFL draft.
Prior to the start of the season, Deondre Francois, Jacques Patrick, Cam Akers, Nyqwan Murray, Landon Dickerson, and Cole Minshew were named preseason All-ACC offensive selections while Derwin James, Tarvarus McFadden, Derrick Nnadi, Josh Sweat, Brian Burns, and Matthew Thomas were named preseason All-ACC defensive selections. In the pre-season media poll, Florida State was picked to finish first in the ACC Atlantic and win the conference title and Francois was picked as runner-up for ACC Player of the Year while Alec Eberle, McFadden, and James were named to the pre-season All-ACC team.
In the opening game against Alabama, quarterback Deondre Francois suffered a season ending knee injury which resulted in true freshman James Blackman being named the starter for the remainder of the season, leading to the program's worst start since 1976 although the Seminoles went on to become bowl eligible for the 36th consecutive year. Following the game against Florida, Jimbo Fisher resigned as coach; associate coach Odell Haggins was named interim head coach for the remainder of the season.
Coaching staff Florida State Seminoles coachesHead coach Jimbo Fisher Odell Haggins
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 Tino Sunseri Matt McCutchan Andrew Priest Mike Warren Mario Edwards Sr. Myles Notkin
Roster 2017 Florida State Seminoles footballQuarterback 10 Bailey Hockman – Freshman (6′2, 187) 12 Deondre Francois – Sophomore (6′2, 205) 14 Jake Rizzo – Freshman (6′0, 193) 16 J.J. Costentino – Junior (6′5, 230) 1 James Blackman – Freshman (6′5, 163)
Tailback 3 Cam Akers – Freshman (5′11, 213) * 7 Ryan Green – Senior (5′11, 204) 9 Jacques Patrick – Junior (6′2, 231) 22 Amir Rasul – Sophomore (5′10, 196) 26 Johnathan Vickers – Junior (6′1, 228) 37 Blaik Middleton – Sophomore (5′10, 194) 43 Jake Duff – Sophomore (6′0, 184) 14 Deonte Sheffield – Freshman (5′10, 198) 27 Zaquandre White – Freshman (6′0, 210)
Fullback 33 Colton Plante – Junior (6′2, 236) 35 Gabe Nabers – Sophomore (6′3, 244)
Wide receiver 5 Da'Vante Phillips – Junior (6′1, 206) 8 Nyqwan Murray – Junior (5′11, 176) 11 George Campbell – Sophomore (6′4, 207) 18 Auden Tate – Junior (6′5, 225) 27 Tyriq Withers – Freshman (6′4, 197) 28 Gilbert Henric – Sophomore (6′0, 194) 83 Bryan LaCivita – Senior (6′1, 178) 86 Justin Motlow – Junior (5′11, 183) 87 Jared Jackson – Senior (6′2, 199) 89 Keith Gavin – Sophomore (6′3, 225) 4 Khalan Laborn – Freshman (5′10, 199) (+RB) 29 D.J. Matthews – Freshman (5′11, 160) 15 Tamorrion Terry – Freshman (6′4, 208)
Tight end 6 Tre' McKitty – Freshman (6′4, 235) 36 Eric Johnson – Freshman (6′5, 225) 48 Benjamin Hoyle – Sophomore (6′5, 220) 49 N'Namdi Green – Freshman (6′3, 238) 81 Ryan Izzo – Junior (6′5, 245) 82 Naseir Upshur – Sophomore (6′2, 249) 88 Mavin Saunders – Junior (6′5, 257) 80 Alexander Marshall – Freshman (6′7, 240) *
Kicker 21 Logan Tyler – Sophomore (6′0, 201) 23 Ricky Aguayo – Sophomore (6′2, 196) Offensive lineman 51 Baveon Johnson – Freshman (6′3, 326) 52 David Robbins – Sophomore (6′4, 324) 53 Joshua Peters – Junior (6′3, 274) 54 Alec Eberle – Junior (6′4, 294) 57 Corey Martinez – Junior (6′4, 298) 60 Andrew Boselli – Freshman (6′4, 303) 62 Ethan Frith – Junior (6′7, 316) 68 Greg Turnage – Sophomore (6′3, 283) 69 Landon Dickerson – Sophomore (6′5, 310) 71 Brock Ruble – Junior (6′8, 319) 70 Cole Minshew – Freshman (6′5, 338) 72 Mike Arnold – Freshman (6′4, 339) 73 Jauan Williams – Freshman (6′6, 300) 74 Derrick Kelly II – Junior (6′5, 323) 75 Abdul Bello – Sophomore (6′6, 312) 76 Rick Leonard – Senior (6′7, 306) 79 Josh Ball – Freshman (6′8, 287) 59 Brady Scott – Freshman (6′5, 285)
Defensive tackle 12 Arthur Williams – Junior (6′4, 327) 49 Cedric Wood – Freshman (6′3, 321) 55 Fredrick Jones – Junior (6′3, 298) 86 Darvin Taylor II – Sophomore (6′3, 304) 90 Demarcus Christmas – Junior (6′4, 308) 91 Derrick Nnadi – Senior (6′1, 312) 94 Walvenski Aime – Junior (6′5, 300) 96 Justin Smith – Freshman (6′3, 265) 98 JT Mertz – Junior (6′2, 265) 21 Marvin Wilson – Freshman (6′4, 329) 53 Ja'len Parks – Freshman (6′3, 288) 92 Cory Durden – Freshman (6′4, 316)
Defensive end 9 Josh Sweat – Junior (6′5, 250) 11 Janarius Robinson – Freshman (6′5, 249) 13 Joshua Kaindoh – Freshman (6′6, 250) 31 Kris Dixon – Sophomore (6′1, 217) 39 Claudio Williams – Sophomore (6′0, 260) 67 Adam Torres – Junior (6′4, 281) 84 Jalen Wilkerson – Sophomore (6′4, 273) 97 Isaiah Smallwood – Junior (6′3, 216) 99 Brian Burns – Sophomore (6′5, 218) 98 Tre Lawson – Freshman (6′6, 240) Linebacker 5 Dontavius Jackson – Sophomore (6′2, 249) 6 Matthew Thomas – Senior (6′3, 227) 16 Jacob Pugh – Senior (6′4, 229) 18 Ro'Derrick Hoskins – Senior (6′2, 240) 22 Adonis Thomas – Sophomore (6′3, 228) 36 Brandon Barrett – Sophomore (6′1, 230) 40 Nick Patti – Junior (6′1, 225) 45 Delvin Purifoy – Junior (6′2, 246) 47 Joseph Garcia – Freshman (6′2, 210) 48 Vernon Norwood – Junior (6′0, 214) 51 Josh Brown – Sophomore (6′3, 216) 56 Emmett Rice – Sophomore (6′2, 203) 35 Leonard Warner – Freshman (6′4, 226) 26 DeCalon Brooks – Freshman (5′11, 197)
Defensive backs 1 Levonta Taylor – Sophomore (5′10, 169) 3 Derwin James – Sophomore (6′3, 211) 4 Tarvarus McFadden – Junior (6′2, 198) 7 Ermon Lane – Senior (6′3, 209) 8 Stanford Samuels III – Freshman (6′2, 170) 10 Calvin Brewton – Junior (6′0, 186) 13 Lawrence Dawsey Jr. – Freshman (5′11, 165) 15 Carlos Becker III – Sophomore (6′2, 183) 19 A.J. Westbrook – Junior (6′0, 186) 20 Trey Marshall – Senior (6′0, 210) 23 Herbans Paul – Senior (6′2, 191) 24 Cyrus Fagan – Freshman (6′2, 180) 26 Joseph Schergen – Freshman (5′9, 170) 28 Malique Jackson – Senior (6′0, 170) 29 Nate Andrews – Senior (6′0, 214) 32 Array Culmer – Junior (5′7, 158) 33 Kameron House – Freshman (5′10, 185) 35 Michael Barulich – Sophomore (5′11, 195) 37 Kyle Meyers – Sophomore (6′0, 168) * 38 Izaiah Prouse-Lackey – Junior (5′9, 177) 41 Zachary Weber – Freshman (6′0, 190) 46 John Moschella III – Freshman (5′9, 190) 23 Hamsah Nasirildeen – Freshman (6′3, 210) * 27 Ontaria Wilson – Freshman (6′0, 160) *
Long snappers 40 Ken Burnham – Junior (6′0, 203) 47 Stephen Gabbard – Senior (6′3, 248) 63 Tanner Adkison – Freshman (5′10, 190) Grant glennon – Freshman (6′3, 220)2017 Florida State Spring Football Roster
Rankings
Schedule
Alabama
Total Yards 250 Passing yards 210 Rushing yards 40 Leading Passer Deondre Francois19/33; 210 yards, 1 TD Leading Rusher Cam Akers10 carries, 30 yards Leading Receiver Keith Gavin7 receptions, 50 yards
NC State
Total Yards 382 Passing yards 278 Rushing yards 104 Leading Passer James Blackman22/38; 278 yards, 1 TD Leading Rusher Cam Akers12 carries, 56 yards Leading Receiver Auden Tate9 receptions, 138 yards, 1 TD
Wake Forest
Total Yards270 Passing yards121 Rushing yards149 Leading PasserJames Blackman11/21; 121 yards, 1 TD Leading RusherJacques Patrick19 carries, 120 yards, 1 TD Leading ReceiverJacques Patrick3 receptions, 26 yards
Miami (FL)
Total Yards 406 Passing yards 203 Rushing yards 203 Leading Passer James Blackman17/28; 203 yards, 2 TD Leading Rusher Cam Akers20 carries, 121 yards Leading Receiver Auden Tate3 receptions, 56 yards, 1 TD
Duke
Total Yards 425 Passing yards 197 Rushing yards 228 Leading Passer James Blackman18/21; 197 yards, 1 TD Leading Rusher Cam Akers15 carries, 115 yards, 1 TD Leading Receiver Nyqwan Murray5 receptions, 81 yards
Louisville
Total Yards403 Passing yards248 Rushing yards155 Leading PasserJames Blackman16/28; 248 yards, 2 TD Leading RusherCam Akers16 carries, 75 yards Leading ReceiverNyqwan Murray4 receptions, 95 yards
Boston College
Total Yards 213 Passing yards 149 Rushing yards 64 Leading Passer James Blackman11/26; 102 yards Leading Rusher Cam Akers18 carries, 42 yards Leading Receiver Nyqwan Murray3 receptions, 102 yards
Syracuse
Total Yards343 Passing yards136 Rushing yards207 Leading PasserJames Blackman12/19; 136 yards, 1 TD Leading RusherCam Akers22 carries, 209 yards, 2 TD Leading ReceiverNyqwan Murray3 receptions, 60 yards, 1 TD
Clemson
Total Yards 229 Passing yards 208 Rushing yards 21 Leading Passer James Blackman13/32; 208 yards, TD Leading Rusher Cam Akers12 carries, 40 yards Leading Receiver Nyqwan Murray4 receptions, 73 yards
Delaware State 0–0
Total Yards 482 Passing yards 236 Rushing yards 246 Leading Passer James Blackman11/15; 179 yards, 3 TD Leading Rusher Ryan Green7 carries, 96 yards, 2 TD Leading Receiver Keith Gavin4 carries, 78 yards
Florida
Total Yards 216 Passing yards 128 Rushing yards 88 Leading Passer James Blackman10/21; 128 yards, 2 TD Leading Rusher Jacques Patrick15 carries, 67 yards Leading Receiver Ermon Lane1 reception, 39 yards
Louisiana-Monroe
Total Yards 504 Passing yards 199 Rushing yards 305 Leading Passer James Blackman14/22; 197 yards, 1 TD Leading Rusher Jacques Patrick19 carries, 155 yards, 2 TD Leading Receiver Ermon Lane3 receptions, 45 yards
Independence Bowl: Southern Miss
Total Yards 452 Passing yards 238 Rushing yards 214 Leading Passer James Blackman18/26; 233 yards, 4 TD Leading Rusher Cam Akers13 carries, 94 yards Leading Receiver Auden Tate5 receptions, 84 yards, 3 TD
Awards
Watchlists Rimington Trophy Alec Eberle Maxwell Award Deondre Francois Derwin James Bednarik Award Derwin James Matthew Thomas Derrick Nnadi Tarvarus McFadden John Mackey Award Ryan Izzo Lou Groza Award Ricky Aguayo Outland Trophy Alex Eberle Derrick Nnadi Nagurski Trophy Derrick Nnadi Josh Sweat Tarvarus McFadden Derwin James Jim Thorpe Award Derwin James Tarvarus McFadden Paul Hornung Award Derwin James Butkus Award Jacob Pugh Matthew Thomas Wuerffel Trophy Alec Eberle Davey O'Brien Award Deondre Francois Doak Walker Award Jacques Patrick Manning Award Deondre Francois Ted Hendricks Award Josh Sweat Brian Burns Senior Bowl Nate Andrews Ermon Lane Trey Marshall Ro'Derrick Hoskins Jacob Pugh Matthew Thomas Derrick Nnadi
Honors
Weekly awards Josh Sweat ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week September 2, 2017 Derwin James ACC Defensive Back of the Week September 2, 2017 Ricky Aguayo ACC Specialist of the Week September 30, 2017 Cam Akers ACC Offensive Back of the WeekACC Rookie of the Week November 4, 2017 Joshua Kaindoh ACC Co-defensive Player of the Week November 18, 2017 Brian Burns ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week November 25, 2017
All-ACC