FSU quarterback Deondre Francois: ‘I have decided to return to Florida State’

Florida State’s 2019 roster continues to take shape during the offseason, and today the quarterback room received some important information: starting QB Deondre Francois will remain at FSU, per his post on Instagram.

Francois (6’1, 210) considered going pro, but has ultimately opted to stick around Tallahassee. He debuted as the Seminoles’ starting QB in 2016, when the ’Noles went 10-3 and capped the campaign with an Orange Bowl victory over Michigan to finish with a No. 8 ranking. Francois went 235-400 for 3,350 yards, 20 touchdowns and 7 interceptions, and a passer rating of 142.10.

Expectations were sky high for Florida State with Francois back in 2017, but he was lost for the year during a season-ending injury in an opening-game loss to Alabama. True-freshman (at the time) James Blackman took the helm, completing 173-297 passes for 19 scores and 11 interceptions, and a final passer rating of 135.02. The Seminoles limped to a 7-6 record, as Jimbo Fisher, with one foot out the door to Texas A&M, let the program deteriorate from within.

After a quarterback battle ahead of the 2018 campaign, Francois won the starting job under the new Willie Taggart regime. An already shallow offensive line group was decimated early by injury, and that porous unit hindered the offense all season. Francois started every game but one, going 227-396 for 2,731 yards, 15 TDs and 12 picks, and a 121.69 passer rating. FSU wound up 5-7.

So, Florida State’s scholarship quarterback room, which for a while looked like of it would consistent of James Blackman sitting in the dark by himself, now includes, Francois, Blackman, and transfer addition Jordan Travis, who made his way to Tallahassee after a year with Louisville. Francois will be a redshirt-senior, Blackman, who redshirted in 2018, will be a redshirt-sophomore, and Travis, who also redshirted this year, will be a redshirt-freshman.

What remains to be seen is who flourishes under new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Kendal Briles.

To stay up to date with who’s staying and who’s going for FSU, be sure to check back with our tracker.