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Football
Will a receiver step up? Quarterback is the most glaring question as it's conceivable any of three players -- Sean Maguire, Deondre Francois or Malik Henry -- could start the opener. However, spring practice isn't settling that competition. More important for the offense is how much progress the offensive line and receivers make over 15 practices. It takes time for a line to build chemistry, and the Seminoles are slated to return all of their starters and contributors from the group. At receiver, there is talent but the offense has struggled to replace Kelvin Benjamin, Rashad Greene and Nick O'Leary. Who will emerge as the go-to option?
Recruiting
FSU recently offered 2017 four-star running back A.J. Dillon.
Extremely excited to have received my 16th offer from Florida State University #NoleNation pic.twitter.com/LluvAfQBlT
— AJ Dillon™ (@ajdillon7) February 24, 2016
2017 three-star pro-style quarterback Jacob Free visited Florida State on Wednesday.
@jacob_free enjoying his #FSU Junior Day visit! @Noles247 @QBHitList @ScoutHSAlabama #GetNoticed @FSU_Football pic.twitter.com/E6yLP2Eev5
— Thomas Clinton Free (@CFree_15) February 24, 2016
Great visit at Florida State today! pic.twitter.com/a8NC1De9LF
— Jacob Free (@jacob_free) February 24, 2016
-As did four-star QB Bailey Hockman, of Powder Springs (Ga.) McEachern. While FSU has not offered Free, it has offered Hockman. The potential for Free to earn an offer later in the process.
- The days of coaches using nicknames to subtweet recruits are over as a new NCAA rule has disallowed it. per Kevin Trahan of SB Nation. One Florida State coach in particular seemed to utilize this tactic regularly.
Where's the "Big Man" going to be this weekend.......Tally!!
— Tim Brewster (@TimBrewster) February 23, 2016
- Christian D'Andrea, also of SB Nation, looked inside the numbers to discover which power five schools are most consistently outrecruited by teams outside the power five.
- SB Nation's Steven Godfrey and Bud Elliott investigate when and why negative recruiting is utilized by coaches on the trail.
Alumni
- In his daily Crootletter, our own Bud Elliott discusses how he believes the cornerbacks from the 2013 recruiting class, including former Seminole Jalen Ramsey, will dominate at this year's NFL Combine. To subscribe to the Crootletter, click here.
- Brad Gagnon declares Roberto Aguayo the most promising kicking prospect this century in his feature of the Florida State alum.
- Sports Illustrated's re-picking of the 2015 NFL Draft compiled by Chris Burke sees four former Seminoles drafted in the first 12 picks including Ronald Darby over one full round before he was originally selected.
Other Sports
- To the chagrin of some, FSU basketball coach Leonard Hamilton received a two-year extension through the 2018-2019 season on Wednesday.