The 2024 season might be a clear slate for Florida State soccer.
After going undefeated and claiming the ACC title, who is aware of what might’ve occurred if final yr’s workforce had been included within the School Soccer Playoffs. That is even with out injured quarterback Jordan Travis, who’s now with the New York Jets.
As a substitute, FSU ended its season with a lopsided loss to Georgia within the Orange Bowl.
What’s completed is finished.
The lacking CFP playoffs chapter is over.
Some should really feel disgruntled about the way it ended for the Seminoles, however coach Mike Norvell and his workforce are over it.
If issues go proper this season for the Seminoles, FSU definitely can place itself for a spot within the expanded 12-team playoff.
FSU additionally has a possibility to begin the season 2-0 total and within the ACC because it faces two league opponents.
The Seminoles open towards Georgia Tech on the Aer Lingus School Soccer Traditional in Dublin, Eire, which might be broadcast on ESPN on Aug. 24 at midday.
They are going to then host Boston School on Labor Day, Sept. 2, at Doak Campbell Stadium at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN.
Listed here are are the three storylines for the upcoming season.
Can DJ Uiagalelei elevate FSU’s offense?
New FSU quarterback DJ Uiagalelei has the instruments and abilities to be an elite quarterback. It is only a matter of placing all of them collectively.
That is Uiagalelei’s third cease in his school profession after three seasons at Clemson and one at Oregon State. Whereas at OSU, he threw a career-best of two,638 yards and 21 touchdowns.
General, he has thrown 9,451 yards and 57 touchdowns. He’s additionally 30-10 as a starter.
FSU followers received a glimpse of Uiagalelei in the course of the spring showcase., the place he accomplished solely 12 of 26 passes with no touchdowns.
His accuracy and his chemistry along with his new receivers stays a piece in progress. FSU’s depth at working again expects to be a power, however a profession season by Uiagalelei can take the Seminoles to the following degree.
Who’re FSU’s new playmakers on offense?
Uiagalelei would be the man beneath middle.
However with no Trey Benson at working again and Keon Coleman or Johnny Wilson, at receiver, who will FSU depend upon to make performs on offense?
After making strides within the spring, Malik Benson, an Alabama switch, is anticipated to be FSU’s No. 1 receiver. He’s additionally anticipated to be prepared for camp after he was injured on the finish of the spring showcase.
Operating again Lawrence Toafili supplies versatility for the Seminoles. Toafili might see extra involvement within the passing recreation and a mismatch towards opposing protection.
Exterior of these two, the expert place on offense is extensive open.
FSU has but to determine who could possibly be the No. 2 receiver. FSU has high quality depth within the backfield and totally different talent units. Roydell Williams has the imaginative and prescient of discovering the open holes.
Jaylin Lucas is one among FSU’s speeders who can see motion on particular groups, and freshmen Kam Davis and Micahi Danzi can discover their approach on the sector.
Will FSU’s protection be higher than final season, or will it take a step again?
FSU’s protection final season allowed 15.9 factors per recreation to rank sixth nationally.
It isn’t anticipated to be straightforward to exchange seven 11 starters, particularly alongside the road with the departures of Jared Verse, Braden Fiske and Fabien Lovett.
But, FSU’s depth is sufficient to go round.
One of many largest causes FSU was profitable defensively was the variety of gamers within the rotation. Patrick Payton and Joshua Farmer might be FSU’s defensive entrance leaders.
Payton was second on the workforce with seven sacks final yr, together with 14.5 tackles for loss,10 cross deflections and two compelled fumbles. He made All-ACC Honorable Talked about honors.
Farmer made second-team All-ACC after producing 7.0 for loss with 5.0 sacks, two quarterback hurries, two cross breakups, and one compelled fumble.
FSU may even have Georgia switch Marvin Jones Jr., who had a powerful spring season, and Oregon State switch Sione Lolohea offering depth on FSU’s entrance.
Darrell Jackson Jr. may even be again after being dominated ineligible resulting from switch guidelines.
The again finish of the protection might be one thing to observe. DJ Lundy, the third-leading tackler, would be the face of the linebacker corp.
The secondary brings physicality with corners Fentrell Cypress II and Azareye’h Thomas, and Shyheim Brown at security. Omarion Cooper and Earl Little Jr. is also within the combine after being signed from the switch portal.
Exterior of the defensive leaders, there might be some new faces on protection who do not need a lot recreation expertise and might be requested to take a better function.
Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics for Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him by way of e-mail at PHolland@Gannett.com or on X @_Da_pistol.
This text initially appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: What ought to we anticipate going into FSU soccer season
