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2015 Florida State Seminoles football position by position

 
Terrance Smith might be the ACC's best linebacker this year. [Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel/TNS]
Terrance Smith might be the ACC's best linebacker this year. [Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel/TNS]
Published Sept. 2, 2015

Quarterback

Everett Golson (above) beat redshirt junior Sean Maguire to become the starter. Golson is tremendously talented — he took Notre Dame to a national title game — but also prone to turnovers. If he gets hurt, Maguire showed he's a capable backup when he led FSU to a win over Clemson last year.

Running back

Even with Karlos Williams in the NFL, the Seminoles have plenty of depth here. Dalvin Cook (above) is back from his indefinite suspension, and coach Jimbo Fisher said Cook has shown the same burst he did last year when he broke out with a 1,000-yard freshman season. Mario Pender has shown flashes (when healthy), and Fisher has said sophomore Johnathan Vickers has NFL potential.

Receiver/tight end

FSU's receiving corps is as talented as it is young. It will be hard to replace the school's all-time leading receiver (Rashad Greene) and standout tight end Nick O'Leary, who were both drafted into the NFL. Travis Rudolph (above) and Jesus Wilson combined for 80 catches last fall and will be key contributors this season. Two local products — receiver George Campbell (East Lake High) and tight end Jeremy Kerr (St. Petersburg High) — could also make an impact.

Offensive line

The only returning starter is a good one — future first-round pick Roderick Johnson. He started at left tackle against Miami and held the job for the rest of the season. Juco transfer Kareem Are seems to have locked down the left guard spot, while center remains an intriguing position. Corey Martinez (Tampa Catholic) was named the starter, but Alec Eberle (unspecified injury) returned to practice Tuesday and could challenge him.

Defensive line

Tackle Nile Lawrence-Stample was a key part of the national title team and is healthy, after a pectoral injury limited him to four games last season. End DeMarcus Walker has 26 games' worth of experience, but two others are intriguing at that spot. True freshman Josh Sweat is a five-star athlete who made a freakish recovery from a knee injury, and few players have the length of 6-foot-7 sophomore Lorenzo Featherston.

Linebacker

Only two 'Noles had more tackles last year than Terrance Smith, even though he missed two games with injuries. Smith might be the ACC's best linebacker this fall. Dade City native Jacob Pugh had a key interception against Notre Dame and will be expected to contribute more this season. Reggie Northrup will try to shrug off his offseason knee injury and return to last year's form, when he led FSU with 122 tackles.

Defensive back

Jalen Ramsey (above) is a regular on lists of the top 10 players in college football and can play all over the field. Cornerback Marquez White expects to benefit from Ramsey's success on the other side, and safety Nate Andrews has quietly led FSU in interceptions in his first two seasons.

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Special teams

Roberto Aguayo is so good that he thought about leaving FSU early to enter the NFL draft. How many other college kickers can even consider that option? Punter Cason Beatty has been streaky. White will take Greene's spot as punt returner, and kick returner Kermit Whitfield is still remembered in Tallahassee for his 100-yard touchdown against Auburn in the national title game.

Matt Baker, Times staff writer