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The big news today in the world of FSU football is the release of Florida State’s depth chart in the lead-up to the season opener against Georgia Tech. We had some immediate reactions to it, including the notable absence of 2019 second-team All-ACC and leading tackler, safety Hamsah Nasirildeen. At a press conference today, defensive coordinator Adam Fuller addressed Nasirildeen’s status:
#FSU DC Adam Fuller on Hamsah Nasirldeen: "I hate that he can't play this first game, but he is doing everything he can. Ham has been a great teammate. He is always there for support and energy."
— Tomahawk Nation (@TomahawkNation) September 7, 2020
Nasirildeen is still making his way back from a devastating ACL injury he suffered last season when he was carted off the field in the regular season finale against the Florida Gators.
Further, true freshman quarterback Chubba Purdy suffered another setback, this time in his rehab from a collarbone injury suffered during FSU’s August 15th scrimmage. Per a report by Brad Cesmat of sports360az.com, Purdy had to undergo a second surgery on his non-throwing shoulder due to an infection in the incision made from the first surgery to repair the collarbone. Purdy also previously contracted COVID-19, so the young signal-caller has faced quite a bit of adversity early in his FSU career.
With the injury, Purdy became a prime candidate for a redshirt season. This news makes that redshirt more likely. However, with the NCAA declaring all student-athletes have a blanket waiver this season to retain a year of eligibility, Purdy may hold onto it.
As for the current status of the quarterback room, redshirt junior James Blackman was recently named the starter and early enrollee true freshman Tate Rodemaker will get the nod to back up Blackman, with redshirt sophomore Jordan Travis also in the mix.