2018 Florida State Seminoles football team

The 2018 Florida State Seminoles football team represented Florida State University during the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Seminoles were led by first-year head coach Willie Taggart and played their home games at Doak Campbell Stadium. They competed as members of the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference.

2018 Florida State Seminoles football
ConferenceAtlantic Coast Conference
DivisionAtlantic Division
Record5–7 (3–5 ACC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorWalt Bell (1st season)
Offensive schemeGulf Coast
Defensive coordinatorHarlon Barnett (1st season)
Base defenseMultiple
CaptainRicky Aguayo
Alec Eberle
Brian Burns
Home stadiumDoak Campbell Stadium
Uniform
Seasons
← 2017
2019 →
2018 Atlantic Coast Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
Atlantic Division
No. 1 Clemson x$#^   8 0     15 0  
No. 15 Syracuse   6 2     10 3  
NC State   5 3     9 4  
Boston College   4 4     7 5  
Wake Forest   3 5     7 6  
Florida State   3 5     5 7  
Louisville   0 8     2 10  
Coastal Division
Pittsburgh x   6 2     7 7  
Georgia Tech   5 3     7 6  
Miami (FL)   4 4     7 6  
Virginia   4 4     8 5  
Virginia Tech   4 4     6 7  
Duke   3 5     8 5  
North Carolina   1 7     2 9  
Championship: Clemson 42, Pittsburgh 10
  • # – College Football Playoff champion
  • ^ – College Football Playoff participant
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
Rankings from AP Poll

The Seminoles finished the season with a losing record for the first time since 1976, missing a bowl game for the first time since 1981.[1] Linebacker Brian Burns went on to be selected in the first round of the NFL draft,[2] with defensive tackle Demarcus Christmas being selected in the sixth round.

Recruiting

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Position key
Back B Center C Cornerback CB Defensive back DB
Defensive end DE Defensive lineman DL Defensive tackle DT End E
Fullback FB Guard G Halfback HB Kicker K
Kickoff returner KR Offensive tackle OT Offensive lineman OL Linebacker LB
Long snapper LS Punter P Punt returner PR Quarterback QB
Running back RB Safety S Tight end TE Wide receiver WR

The Seminoles signed a total of 21 recruits.

US college sports recruiting information for 2018 recruits
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Robert Cooper
DT
Snellville, GA South Gwinnett High School 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 377 lb (171 kg) Jun 16, 2016 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Christian Meadows
OG
Montezuma, GA Macon County High School 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 330 lb (150 kg) Jul 29, 2016 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Asante Samuel Jr.
CB
Fort Lauderdale, FL St. Thomas Aquinas High School 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 164 lb (74 kg) Apr 13, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Anthony Lytton
CB
Upper Marlboro, MD Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. High School 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 173 lb (78 kg) Apr 27, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Amari Gainer
LB
Tallahassee, FL Lawton Chiles High School 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 194 lb (88 kg) May 26, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
D'Marcus Adams
WR
Daytona Beach, FL Mainland High School 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 170 lb (77 kg) Jun 14, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Christian Armstrong
OT
Warner Robins, GA Warner Robins High School 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 335 lb (152 kg) Jun 25, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Chaz Neal
DE
Wesley Chapel, FL Wesley Chapel High School 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 253 lb (115 kg) Jul 20, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Jaiden Woodbey
S
Bellflower, CA St. John Bosco High School 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 204 lb (93 kg) Dec 20, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Isaiah Bolden
CB
Tampa, FL Wesley Chapel High School 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 175 lb (79 kg) Dec 22, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Camren McDonald
TE
Long Beach, CA Poly High School 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 220 lb (100 kg) Jan 13, 2018 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Jalen Goss
OT
Valdosta, GA Lowndes High School 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 265 lb (120 kg) Jan 15, 2018 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Xavier Peters
LB
West Chester, OH Lakota West High School 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 225 lb (102 kg) Jan 28, 2018 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Dennis Briggs
DE
Kissimmee, FL Gateway High School 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 252 lb (114 kg) Jan 28, 2018 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Warren Thompson
WR
Seffner, FL Armwood High School 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 200 lb (91 kg) Jan 31, 2018 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Keyshawn Helton
WR
Pensacola, FL West Florida Tech High School 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) 160 lb (73 kg) Feb 4, 2018 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPNN/A
Anthony Grant
RB
Buford, GA Buford High School 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 200 lb (91 kg) Feb 7, 2018 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Malcolm Lamar
DE
Seffner, FL Armwood High School 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 250 lb (110 kg) Feb 7, 2018 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Jamarcus Chatman
DT
Rome, GA Rome High School 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 266 lb (121 kg) Feb 7, 2018 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Tre'Shaun Harrison
WR
Seattle, WA Garfield High School 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Feb 7, 2018 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Jordan Young
WR
Conyers, GA Heritage High School 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 185 lb (84 kg) Feb 7, 2018 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Overall recruiting rankings:
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "FSU Football Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
  • "2018 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved February 11, 2018.

Preseason

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Award watch lists

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Award Player Position Year
Rimington Trophy[3] Alec Eberle C SR
Chuck Bednarik Award[4] Brian Burns DE JR
Maxwell Award[5] Deondre Francois QB JR
Cam Akers RB SO
Doak Walker Award[6] Cam Akers RB SO
Jacques Patrick RB SR
Outland Trophy[7] Alec Eberle C SR
Lou Groza Award[8] Ricky Aguayo K JR
Ray Guy Award[9] Logan Tyler P JR
Wuerffel Trophy[10] Alec Eberle C SR
Walter Camp Award[11] Cam Akers RB SO
Ted Hendricks Award[12] Brian Burns DE JR

ACC media poll

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In the preseason ACC media poll, Florida State was selected to finish second in the Atlantic division.

Media poll (Atlantic)
Predicted finish Team Votes (1st place)
1 Clemson 1,031 (145)
2 Florida State 789 (1)
3 NC State 712 (2)
4 Boston College 545
5 Louisville 422
6 Wake Forest 413
7 Syracuse 232

Preseason All-ACC teams

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The Seminoles had two players selected to the preseason All-ACC teams, with one offensive selection and one on special teams.

  • Cam Akers
  • Ricky Aguayo

Schedule

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DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
September 38:00 p.m.No. 20 Virginia TechNo. 19ESPNL 3–24[13]79,560
September 87:20 p.m.No. 9 (FCS) Samford*
  • Doak Campbell Stadium
  • Tallahassee, FL
ACCNW 36–26[14]72,239
September 1512:00 p.m.at SyracuseESPNL 7–30[15]37,457
September 223:30 p.m.Northern Illinois*
  • Doak Campbell Stadium
  • Tallahassee, FL
ESPNUW 37–19[16]65,633
September 293:30 p.m.at LouisvilleESPN2W 28–24[17]52,798
October 63:30 p.m.at No. 17 Miami (FL)ABCL 27–28[18]65,490
October 203:30 p.m.Wake Forest 
  • Doak Campbell Stadium
  • Tallahassee, FL
ESPN2W 38–17[19]67,274
October 2712:00 p.m.No. 2 Clemson
  • Doak Campbell Stadium
  • Tallahassee, FL (rivalry)
ABCL 10–59[20]68,403
November 33:30 p.m.at NC StateABCL 28–47[21]57,600
November 107:30 p.m.at No. 3 Notre Dame*NBCL 13–42[22]77,622
November 173:30 p.m.No. 22 Boston College
  • Doak Campbell Stadium
  • Tallahassee, FL
ESPN2W 22–21[23]57,274
November 2412:00 p.m.No. 13 Florida*
  • Doak Campbell Stadium
  • Tallahassee, FL (rivalry)
ABCL 14–41[24]71,953
  • *Non-conference game
  •  Homecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Eastern time

Schedule Source:[25]

Coaching staff

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Florida State Seminoles coaches

Head coach

Assistant coaches

  • Walt BellOffensive coordinator/quarterbacks
  • Harlon BarnettDefensive coordinator/defensive backs
  • Greg FreyOffensive line
  • Odell HagginsDefensive tackle
  • Mark SnyderDefensive ends
  • Telly lockette – Tight ends
  • David kelly – Wide receivers
  • Donte pimpleton – Running backs
  • Raymond WoodieLinebackers
  • Alonzo hamilton – Special Teams
  • Irele oderinde – Strength and conditioning
  • Mickey AndrewsSpecial assistant

Roster

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2018 Florida State Seminoles football team roster
Players Coaches
Offense
Pos. # Name Class
QB 1 James Blackman So
RB 3 Cam Akers So
RB 4 Khalan Laborn   Fr
TE 6 Tre' McKitty So
WR 8 Nyqwan Murray Sr
RB 9 Jacques Patrick Sr
RB 10 Anthony Grant Fr
WR 11 George Campbell   Jr
QB 12 Deondre Francois   Jr
WR 13 Caleb Ward Fr
QB 14 Nolan McDonald Fr
WR 14 Deonté Sheffield   Fr
WR 15 Tamorrion Terry   Fr
QB 16 Alex Eleyssami Fr
WR 18 Warren Thompson Fr
QB 19 Beau Fillichio Fr
WR 20 Keyshawn Helton Fr
RB 22 Amir Rasul Jr
TE 26 Johnathan Vickers   Sr
WR 28 D'Marcus Adams Fr
WR 29 D.J. Matthews So
TE 32 Gabe Nabers Jr
RB 37 Blaik Middleton   Jr
WR 41 Michael Barulich   So
OL 51 Baveon Johnson   So
OL 52 Christian Meadows Fr
OL 54 Alec Eberle   Sr
OL 59 Brady Scott   Fr
OL 61 Jalen Goss Fr
OL 66 Andrew Basham   Jr
OL 68 Jeremy Czerenda Fr
OL 69 Landon Dickerson   So
OL 70 Cole Minshew   Jr
OL 71 Chaz Neal Fr
OL 72 Mike Arnold   So
OL 73 Jauan Williams   So
OL 74 Derrick Kelly II   Sr
OL 75 Abdul Bello   Jr
OL 76 Arthur Williams   Sr
OL 77 Christian Armstrong Fr
WR 80 Ontaria Wilson   Fr
TE 81 Alex Marshall   Fr
TE 82 Naseir Upshur Jr
WR 83 Jordan Young Fr
WR 84 Adarius Dent Fr
WR 85 Tyrell Moorer   Jr
TE 87 Camren McDonald Fr
WR 88 Tre'Shaun Harrison Fr
WR 89 Keith Gavin Jr
Defense
Pos. # Name Class
DB 1 Levonta Taylor Jr
LB 5 Dontavious Jackson Jr
DB 8 Stanford Samuels III So
DL 11 Janarius Robinson   So
DB 12 A.J. Lytton Fr
DL 13 Joshua Kaindoh So
DB 14 Kale Meyers Jr
DB 15 Carlos Becker III Jr
DL 16 Cory Durden   Fr
DB 19 A.J. Westbrook Sr
LB 20 Jaiden Woodbey Fr
DL 21 Marvin Wilson So
LB 22 Adonis Thomas   Jr
DB 23 Hamsah Nasirildeen So
DB 24 Cyrus Fagan So
DB 26 Asante Samuel Jr. Fr
LB 27 Zaquandre White   Fr
LB 28 DeCalon Brooks   Fr
DB 29 Isaiah Bolden Fr
DL 31 Kris Dixon   Jr
DB 32 Array Culmer   Sr
LB 33 Amari Gainer Fr
LB 35 Leonard Warner III So
DB 37 Kameron House   So
DB 38 Izaiah Prouse-Lackey   Sr
DB 39 Claudio Williams   Jr
LB 41 Joseph Garcia   So
DB 43 Joseph Schergen   So
DB 45 Demetrius Artis   Jr
DB 46 John Moschella III Sr
LB 48 Armani Kerr   So
DL 49 Cedric Wood   So
LB 51 Josh Brown Jr
DL 53 Ja'Len Parks   Fr
DL 55 Fredrick Jones   Sr
LB 56 Emmett Rice Jr
DL 58 Dennis Briggs Jr. Fr
DL 59 Xavier Peters Fr
DL 67 Adam Torres   Sr
DL 90 Demarcus Christmas   Sr
DL 91 Robert Cooper Fr
DL 93 Peter Osimen   Jr
DL 94 Walvenski Aimé   Sr
DL 95 Jamarcus Chatman Fr
DL 97 Malcolm Lamar Fr
DL 99 Brian Burns Jr
Special teams
Pos. # Name Class
P 21 Logan Tyler Jr
K 23 Ricky Aguayo Jr
P 30 Tommy Martin   Fr
LS 40 Ken Burnham   Sr
LS 42 Garrett Murray   Fr
LS 44 Grant Glennon   Fr
LS 63 Tanner Adkison   So
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
  • Walt BellOffensive coordinator/quarterbacks
  • Harlon BarnettDefensive coordinator/defensive backs
  • Greg FreyOffensive line
  • Odell HagginsDefensive tackle
  • Mark SnyderDefensive ends
  • Telly Lockette – Tight ends
  • David Kelly – Wide receivers
  • Donte Pimpleton – Running backs
  • Raymond WoodieLinebackers
  • Alonzo Hamilton – Special Teams
  • Irele Oderinde – Strength and conditioning
  • Mickey AndrewsSpecial assistant

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  •   Injured
  •   Redshirt

Roster
Last update: 1/1/19

Rankings

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Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes
Week
PollPre1234567891011121314Final
AP19RVRV
Coaches19RVRV
CFPNot releasedNot released

Game summaries

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Virginia Tech

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1 2 3 4 Total
No. 20 Hokies 10 7 0 7 24
No. 19 Seminoles 0 3 0 0 3

Samford

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1 2 3 4 Total
No. 9 (FCS) Bulldogs 16 7 0 3 26
Seminoles 7 14 0 15 36

At Syracuse

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1 2 3 4 Total
Seminoles 0 0 0 7 7
Orange 3 3 14 10 30

Northern Illinois

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1 2 3 4 Total
Huskies 0 7 6 6 19
Seminoles 14 6 3 14 37

At Louisville

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1 2 3 4 Total
Seminoles 7 0 7 14 28
Cardinals 7 14 3 0 24

At Miami (FL)

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1 2 3 4 Total
Seminoles 7 13 7 0 27
No. 17 Hurricanes 0 7 14 7 28

Wake Forest

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1 2 3 4 Total
Demon Deacons 10 0 0 7 17
Seminoles 7 14 10 7 38

Clemson

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1 2 3 4 Total
No. 2 Tigers 0 28 24 7 59
Seminoles 0 0 3 7 10

At NC State

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1 2 3 4 Total
Seminoles 0 14 7 7 28
Wolfpack 10 17 10 10 47

At Notre Dame

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1 2 3 4 Total
Seminoles 0 6 7 0 13
No. 3 Fighting Irish 17 15 3 7 42

Boston College

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1 2 3 4 Total
No. 22 Eagles 0 7 7 7 21
Seminoles 0 6 7 9 22

Florida

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1 2 3 4 Total
No. 13 Gators 3 10 14 14 41
Seminoles 0 7 7 0 14

Post-season

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All-ACC

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The Seminoles had five players selected to the All-ACC team, with three defensive selections and two offensive selections.[26]

NFL draft

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Player Team Round Pick # Position
Brian Burns Carolina Panthers 1st 16 LB
Demarcus Christmas Seattle Seahawks 6th 209 DT

References

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  1. ^ "Clock Strikes 12 On Streaks, Noles' Football Season". November 24, 2018. Retrieved November 26, 2018.
  2. ^ "Burns Selected 16th Overall In First Round Of NFL Draft". April 25, 2019. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
  3. ^ "Rimington Trophy Press Release". May 30, 2018. Retrieved July 14, 2018.
  4. ^ "2018 Bednarik Award Watch List". July 16, 2018. Archived from the original on July 16, 2018. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
  5. ^ "2018 Maxwell Award Watch List". July 16, 2018. Archived from the original on July 16, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
  6. ^ "2018 Doak Walker Award Candidates". July 18, 2018. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
  7. ^ "2018 OUTLAND TROPHY WATCH LIST UNVEILED". July 24, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  8. ^ "Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award Announces 2018 Preseason Watch List". July 25, 2018. Archived from the original on August 17, 2009. Retrieved July 25, 2018.
  9. ^ "Ray Guy Award preseason watch list unveiled". July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 25, 2018.
  10. ^ "Wuerffel Trophy Unveils 2018 Watch List". July 26, 2018. Archived from the original on July 26, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
  11. ^ Carbone, Al (July 27, 2018). "Walter Camp Football Foundation Announces 2018 Player of the Year Preseason "Watch List"". Retrieved July 30, 2018.
  12. ^ "Preseason Watch List - 2018 edition of the Ted Hendricks Award" (PDF). August 14, 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 14, 2018. Retrieved August 16, 2018.
  13. ^ "Missed Opportunities, Missing Magic Spoil Taggart Debut". September 3, 2018. Retrieved September 4, 2018.
  14. ^ "Noles Extract Taggart's First Win With Great Escape". September 8, 2018. Retrieved September 9, 2018.
  15. ^ "'We've Got To Get Better': Football Falls, 30-7, At Syracuse". September 15, 2018. Retrieved September 16, 2018.
  16. ^ "Noles Start Fast, Pull Away For 37-19 Win Over NIU". September 22, 2018. Retrieved September 23, 2018.
  17. ^ "Westbrook Pick, Murray TD Gives Noles Comeback Win". September 29, 2018. Retrieved September 30, 2018.
  18. ^ "Football Narrowly Misses Upset Of No. 17 UM, 28-27". October 6, 2018. Retrieved October 7, 2018.
  19. ^ "No Homecoming Wake: Football Rips Deacs". October 20, 2018. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
  20. ^ "Noles Stunned By Tigers' Second Quarter Onslaught". October 27, 2018. Retrieved October 28, 2018.
  21. ^ "Football Falls 47-28 At NC State". November 3, 2018. Retrieved November 4, 2018.
  22. ^ "Football Falls To Irish In South Bend". November 10, 2018. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
  23. ^ "Francois, Terry Lift Noles To 'An Incredible Win' Over BC". November 17, 2018. Retrieved November 18, 2018.
  24. ^ "Season Comes to an End with Loss to Florida". November 24, 2018. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
  25. ^ "2018 Florida State Seminoles Football Schedule". fbschedules.com. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
  26. ^ "Burns Named First Team All-ACC". November 26, 2018. Retrieved November 26, 2018.