Florida State senior QB Sean Maguire was recognized during last Friday’s senior night, as the upcoming three games will be the last for him on a college football roster.
Throughout his career, Maguire has overcome obstacles en route to becoming the starting quarterback for the brief time that he was in 2015. After redshirting his freshman year, the Sparta, New Jersey native sat behind top NFL Draft pick Jameis Winston for the next two years to begin his career.
“I never seen anyone in my three years here that has faced more adversity than he has,” junior offensive lineman Rod Johnson said.
When the Heisman winner left, the door was open for Maguire to earn the starting job — until redshirt senior Everett Golson transferred in and took that job. Maguire did make five of his six carer starts to finish off the 2015 season, including in the Peach Bowl, putting him in great position to start in 2016.
However, after an ankle surgery and the emergence of redshirt freshman Deondre Francois, Maguire was once again left as the backup.
“It's been tough, obviously, with that injury from August and the ankle from the Peach Bowl. It's one of those things where you know you just have to be ready. The situation sucks but I'm mature enough to handle the situation that I'm in.”
Maguire has taken that backup role in stride throughout his career, serving as the second-stringer in at least seven games every year on campus.
“That's just a credit to my parents. I grew up in a strict household and you've got to earn respect, you've got to earn it the hard way.”
Through all the adversity, Maguire was put into FSU’s senior night game late in the third quarter when starter Deondre Francois suffered an injury and seized his opportunity for what may have been his last extensive playing time at Florida State.
Over the quarter-plus in which he played, Maguire went 5-7 passing for 53 yards and two touchdowns. They were his first TD passes of the season and only Maguire’s fifth time throwing for multiple touchdowns in his career.
“I was extremely happy,” head coach Jimbo Fisher reacted. “To throw two touchdowns the way he did, his parents ought to be the proudest parents in the world...He goes in and performs every time with a lot of heart and a lot of toughness, just very proud of him.”
For his career, Maguire sits at 2,034 passing yards on 156-268 (58.2%) with 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. That career tally includes every scenario a backup quarterback goes through.
In 2014, starter Jameis Winston was suspended against Clemson, and Maguire filled in, getting the victory. In 2015, Maguire relieved Golson midway through the season as a starter, and threw for over 1500 yards, more than four times the amount of the prior season.
Throughout his career, Maguire has also filled in with the ‘Noles up big, late in games, when Fisher is preserving the starters. One of those attributes that allows Maguire to be subbed in with little notice is his mentality of always being ready, regardless of the score or situation.
“You never know when your number is called and it's kind of ironic how it was on senior night... (Deondre Francois) has taken a beating this year and it's just one of those things where if you ever notice on the sideline, I'm always trying to stay loose because I know you never know when you are going to go in.”
Even though he isn’t on the playing field at all times, Maguire still contributes to the makeup of the team with his extensive knowledge, which he uses to enlighten his teammates.
“He never backed down, went in the dark. He stayed out there and practiced, and helped Deondre come in, and taught him the offense. Helped the receivers and o-line, was cheering guys on,” Johnson said.
Maguire’s work ethic was a common trend that his teammates pointed out.
“He has that competitiveness, everyday he brings it to practice every day,” junior WR Travis Rudolph said. “I’ve never seen Sean down, even through all the adversity, the injury and last year. Just never see him down. Just comes out there and ready to play.”
With the quarterback graduating and departing the program following this year, he has left an everlasting mark, especially on Jimbo Fisher.
“That guy right there is the salt of the earth. Whatever you ask him to do, another great teammate, another great senior.”