Who is likely to secure the second string role? (editor's note: we posed this question before Jimbo Fisher announced that Sean Maguire has a strong grip on the No. 2 role)
jmnpb996: Maguire. I don't think this will be much of a battle, personally. Maguire has a far better arm than given credit for, and in limited reps, appears to have a solid command of the offense. He also has shown the ability to throw well on the run/rollout, so at minimum he's a solid contributor in the play action game.
Alan Mundy: I may be the biggest Maguire homer in the fan base. I love what I saw of him in the Idaho game and the spring game. He looks confident in operating the offense, has a very nice arm and always appears to know the "why" as Jimbo would put it. I do not see anyone pushing him for the second string job and think he has a very good chance to start in 2015 if Jameis goes pro.
Kyle Griffis: Agreed with the guys above that it's definitely Maguire and the race is not close. I'm still not sold on Franklin at QB and I think Consentino is the QB of the future for FSU.
Florida State season preview
Florida State season preview
Maguire's bio, for those who need a refresher ...
2014 Outlook: Backup quarterback with a strong arm who plays with poise and efficiency. A natural pocket passer who has the athleticism to make plays on the run when needed. Displays great arm strength, touch and accuracy, and is emerging as a veteran leader on the Seminoles. Was impressive all spring and showed he could handle first team reps when Jameis Winston was with the FSU baseball team. Had a solid Garnet and Gold game, completing 15 of 28 passes for 203 yards and one touchdown.
2013: Appeared in nine games and threw a pass in three contests...on the season, completed 13-of-21 passes for 116 yards and two touchdowns for a passer rating of 120.69...had a completion percentage of 61.9 percent...moved into backup quarterback roll following season-ending injury to Jacob Coker against Wake Forest in ninth game of the season...played the entire second half against Syracuse and completed 3-of-5 passes for 21 yards, including his first career touchdown, a 17-yard scoring pass to roommate Nick O'Leary...set or matched career highs in nearly every category going 9-of-14 for 84 yards and a touchdown versus Idaho. 2012: Redshirt season.
PERSONAL: One of the top pro-style quarterbacks in the country and New Jersey's top-rated quarterback in the 2012 class...a four-star prospect by ESPN and three-star QB by Rivals, Scout and 247Sports...ran a wing-T offense in high school which didn't allow for many passing opportunities...made the most of the ones he got displaying good arm strength, touch, the ability to change ball speeds and ability to consistently throw a catchable ball with accuracy to all three levels...gained varsity exposure as a freshman and led Seton Hall Prep to a 19-3 record as a sophomore and junior...completed 70 of 141 passes for 1,161 yards and 14 TDs as a junior, making third team All-Essex County for The Star-Ledger... earned first team All Non-Public and first team All-Essex by The Star-Ledger after completing 74-of-154 passes for 1,183 yards, 12 TDs and 4 INTs as a senior...also named Super Essex Conference first team as a senior... finished his career at Seton Hall Prep completing 105-of-224 passes for 1,881 yards, 20 TDs and 6 INTs...named to the 2012 USA Football National Team (U19) for the 2012 International Bowl...ranked by ESPN as the No. 13 QB prospect nationally, No. 4 player in New Jersey and No. 18 player regionally...rated the No. 18 pro-style QB by 247Sports and No. 14 player in the state...No. 26 player in New Jersey by Rivals and No. 50 quarterback by Scout...selected Florida State over Alabama, Maryland and NC State.
Last year back up quarterbacks came in with the 2nd and 3rd string offensive lines. Assuming FSU is able to blow teams out of the water early will the backups get a chance to play with the starters?
Bud: I don't think so. But, I do think the second-string offensive line this year is light years better than what FSU had in 2013, and I think that's probably the case even if some current reserves are pressed into duty due to injury. Remember, the 2013 offensive line depth was one of the major weaknesses in the team, though it was never exposed. I don't see Jimbo Fisher risking injury to his offensive line starters just to give the backup QB better protection. Priorities.
Alan Mundy: Totally agree, Bud. The first team offensive line will not stay in the game more than a series or two after Jameis exits, but the second team offensive line should be much better than last year.