Being young is no longer an excuse for Florida State

FSU returns 20 starters from 2016 team

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – As long as Jimbo Fisher is at Florida State they’re never going to have a problem getting four and five star recruits to come and play in Tallahassee. As the Seminoles found out last year it takes time for that talent to develop. Inexperience is no longer an excuse and now those “young guys” are being counted on to take more of a leadership role.

“We have a lot of veteran guys that got in game experience last year,” said redshirt sophomore Derwin James. “So we shouldn’t have any mistakes. Everybody should know exactly what they have to do.”

Florida State is returning 20 starters from last year’s team that went 10-3. Head coach Jimbo Fisher is expecting this group to be a lot more mature than they were a year ago.

“We’ll find out more when the games start but from a preparation standpoint and an urgency standpoint I think they've really grown,” said Fisher. “I think the guys understand how important every offseason workout is. How important every spring practice was. How important every fall practice is. I think as you get older you understand once you go through that cycle and getting prepared is such a big factor for how well you play.”

Like James, FSU quarterback Deondre Francois is also a redshirt sophomore and is taking on more of a leadership role this season. I asked him what does a successful season looks like for you.

His two word response is what every single Seminole fan wants to hear.

National Championship.