FSU Seminoles

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Jameis Winston lingered on the practice field, offering some small solace and encouragement to each player who trudged away after Jimbo Fisher called an abrupt end to what he described as an "awful" day of work for Florida State. After Fisher finished a post-practice debriefing with media, Clint Trickett was waiting outside the coach's office to offer his own counsel.

A day like Wednesday could be a line of demarcation for FSU's quarterbacks, giving Fisher a chance to see how they handle the adversity of an atrocious practice session. The only problem, Fisher said, was he wished he'd seen more of it sooner.

"It's easy to do it afterwards," Fisher said. "The key is recognizing when it's happening and then call it together, and I wish they'd done a better job of that."

Still, the day's struggles couldn't be pinned entirely on the quarterbacks, Fisher said. It was a group effort, and the four men battling for the starting QB job actually were among the least conspicuous offenders.

As spring practice draws to a close -- just one practice session remains before the spring game -- Fisher has seen progress from his quarterbacks, and while he's not giving away any secrets on where the depth chart currently stands, it certainly sounds like it's becoming more of a two-man race.

In Monday's scrimmage, it was Winston and Trickett who got the bulk of the first-team reps, and both turned in strong performances.

Winston completed 8 of 15 for 129 yards with an interception, adding 16 yards and a touchdown on the ground.

"He puts the ball on the money -- even his deep balls, every touch he has on the short routes," safety Terrence Brooks said. "He throws it as soon as they come out of their breaks, which makes it harder for us. He does a great job of looking us off and having us on edge all the time."

Trickett completed 17 of 28 passes for 195 yards and two touchdowns.

"Clint gets out of the pocket very well, but he still looks downfield to make the plays," Brooks said. "It looks like a toss-up to me. ... I'm glad I don't have to make that decision. That's on Jimbo."

Jacob Coker and Sean Maguire remain in the competition but largely worked with the second-team offense during Monday's scrimmage. Coker completed 10 of 17 passes for 162 yards and an interception, while Maguire was a solid 8 of 15 for 102 yards and a touchdown.

Saturday's spring game could be the next step in making that decision for Fisher, but Thursday's return to the practice field after such an ugly performance might factor in, too.

"We were not mentally ready to practice and that will get you beat," Fisher said. "If we haven't learned that lesson around here by now, we're going to get that point across, I promise."

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- If Jimbo Fisher is getting any closer to tabbing a starting quarterback, he's keeping his plans in house, but that didn't prevent him from giving a strong nod of approval for de facto No. 1 Clint Trickett after Monday's scrimmage.

"I thought Clint had a really good day," Fisher said following FSU's second scrimmage session of the spring. "Clint was very consistent in the things he did, and they made some plays around him."

Consistency has been the buzzword of the spring for Trickett, who leads the pack by a wide margin in experience in Fisher's offense. But if Trickett has done nothing to lose his hold on the top spot, he's at least starting to share the spotlight a bit with Jameis Winston.

Fisher said Trickett and Winston took the majority of the first-team reps Monday, and both had highlights. Winston had one pick in the red zone, but he also was able to lead the first-team offense down the field on several occasions with some impressive third-down conversions.

"He came right back [from the interception] and on third down just lit it up," Fisher said. "Made three or four just big-time throws."

It was a bit more of a mixed bag for Jacob Coker, who fumbled a snap and threw an interception, but Fisher said he, too, responded well to the early struggles to finish with a solid performance.

Stats for the scrimmage were not immediately made available.

As much as Trickett's consistent performance can turn heads, Fisher said, an up-and-down performance can be just as impressive if it ends on a high note.

"They made some mistakes, and that's when I want to see how those young guys do," Fisher said. "Them guys come right back out there."

If it sounds like Fisher is offering liberal praise for the breadth of his quarterback options, he insists it's all deserved. It's just that none of the praise has been so intense that a clear No. 1 has been established.

That will happen eventually, Fisher said, but he's still not putting any timetables on a decision.

"We'll know when it's time," he said. "Hopefully it'll stand out consistently who starts taking that job, and it'll be obvious. Right now, we're each growing and I love the competition."

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- It was a lost year, and Christian Green isn't particularly interested in debating the reasons why he rarely saw the field in 2012. He's simply turning the page.

"I don't really get into that. It just happened," said Green, who followed up on his 450-yard freshman campaign by making just three catches as a sophomore. "They're the coaches, so they decide who plays and who doesn't. All I have to do is work hard and do what I've been doing and look forward to what's going to happen now."

Still, the questions linger. How could a player with obvious talent and a solid season under his belt simply disappear from the offense?

Jimbo Fisher insisted it was largely a numbers game last season. Florida State had a bevy of quality pass catchers, and Green simply didn't perform well enough in practice to see regular action on game day. Green ranked 12th among FSU players in targets last season, and no one on the team caught a lower percentage of the balls thrown his way.

"It was frustrating, but everything happens for a reason, so I just keep working and do what I have to do to get better," Green said. That's the coaches decision who plays and who doesn't. I just have to focus on myself and get better."

If both parties remain vague on what negated Green's 2012 season, however, both also seem optimistic about what could be in store for 2013.

While Fisher hasn't pegged Green as Florida State's top receiver this spring, the junior has at least been in the conversation, with the Seminoles' coach routinely offering positive reviews of his practice performance. That's a major improvement after Green's name was rarely mentioned at all last season.

And Green sees room to grow, too. Rodney Smith is gone, which opens up playing time, and after spending 2012 working with the reserves, he's got as good a rapport as anyone with FSU's new group of quarterbacks contending for the starting job.

Whether all of that coalesces into regular playing time in the fall remains, like so many others surrounding Green, an unanswered question. The difference is, Green's focused on finding answers.

"I always put high expectations on myself," Green said. "I continue to work. I can't control what goes on with playing time, so I'll do what I've always done and just work hard and do the little things they preach to us and we'll see what it leads."

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- With spring practice less than a week away, the fervor surrounding some of the most-hyped storylines of 2013 has already been raging for months. The three-way battle at quarterback, the return of Bobby Hart to the limelight, Lamarcus Joyner's move to cornerback -- Jimbo Fisher already has plenty to keep his eye on.

But while those stories will continue to headline Florida State's preparations for the 2013 season, there are a handful of other intriguing players to watch this spring. They might not be in the running for a starting job, but they should offer plenty of reasons to watch as they look to impress a new group of coaches and find their own niche for the upcoming season.

Mario Pender (RB/RFr.)

When it comes to sheer intrigue, the entirety of Florida State's returning redshirts could probably make the list -- with Jameis Winston probably atop it. But while there will be genuine interest in Justin Shanks' weight or Marvin Bracy's speed, it's Pender who likely leads the pack in non-QB buzz from fans. The highly touted tailback missed all of 2012 with a groin injury and is just now getting back into full swing. His workouts during fourth-quarter drills earned raves from Fisher, who compared his burst and home-run ability to Chris Thompson -- only Pender is a bit bigger and stronger. Does that mean a job awaits this fall? Not exactly, but he'll definitely have his coaches' attention.

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From the impending quarterback competition to finding replacements for departing juniors, Jimbo Fisher will have his work cut out for him during the next few months as he lays the groundwork for 2013.

With that in mind, we're going to go position by position looking at Florida State's strengths and weaknesses as the Seminoles prepare for the start of spring practice.

Previously: Cornerback, Wide Receivers and Tight Ends, Defensive Tackles

Next up: Running backs

2012 recap: It's tough to overstate how much Florida State's ground game improved from 2011, with the Seminoles nearly doubling their total rushing yards and finishing the season with five players who averaged better than 5 yards per carry. Overall, Florida State finished fourth nationally, averaging 5.62 yards per rush. Chris Thompson was well on his way to becoming the first FSU runner to top 1,000 yards since 1996, but his season ended in Week 9 with a torn ACL. James Wilder Jr. and Devonta Freeman teamed up to handle the job the rest of the way -- usually successfully -- and figure to do the same again in 2013.

Departures: Thompson toyed with the idea of appealing the NCAA for an extra year of eligibility after his Week 9 injury, but he eventually abandoned that plan and is focused on rehabbing his knee and making a go of it in the NFL. His loss is big, but Freeman and Wilder proved to be able substitutes. At fullback, things aren't quite so clear cut. Lonnie Pryor departs after four seasons as a starter, and there's no obvious replacement waiting in the wings.

Arrivals: FSU figures to finally get its first look at Mario Pender, who redshirted in 2012 after undergoing groin surgery at the start of fall practice. Pender's rehab went smoothly, but he still won't be a regular practice participant until spring workouts get going. Meanwhile, FSU added another dynamic weapon to its backfield on national signing day with four-star athlete Ryan Green. Like Thompson, Green is a home-run threat with great speed. In what should be something of an unsettled backfield, he could see action immediately.

Biggest question mark: There are no questions about Wilder's ability, but it's still unclear whether he'll ever blossom as a superstar runner. Wilder had a productive 2012 season, rushing for 652 yards and 11 touchdowns, but even after Thompson's injury, he didn't emerge as an every down back. Wilder's size and strength make him a weapon, particularly in short-yardage situations, but his affinity for contact also means the bumps and bruises can accumulate over the course of the season. Add a myriad of off-field issues, and the question marks continue to pile up. The most likely scenario for 2013 is that Wilder again splits time with Freeman as co-starters, but there's also the chance that Wilder blossoms into a star -- and maybe even managed to put an end to that ongoing drought of 1,000-yard backs.

Breakout star: The backfield is probably a bit too crowded for any one runner to become a superstar, but Wilder may be the best bet to make the leap. Of course, Freeman has had two straight solid seasons and won't have to worry about taking a backseat to Thompson this time around, while Pender and Green certainly possess the talent to take the job and run with it, too. In other words, there's a ton of talent, but just one football to go around.

Projected 2013 starter: Freeman and Wilder

Five assistant coaches and three juniors all left Florida State for greener pastures in the past six weeks, and a bevy of senior talent from the 2012 ACC champions departs as well. While the spring always brings hope for players to work their way up the depth chart, this year will offer a wealth of opportunities for some younger Seminoles to impress new coaches and win some vacant jobs.

That's good news for a handful of once promising talent on the Florida State roster, but it's hardly a guarantee that much will change. While last week, we looked at five rising stars for FSU, these six players have a much steeper hill to climb after seeing their stars dim during 2012.

Mario Pender (RFr./RB)

Background: Highly regarded on the recruiting trail, Pender's freshman season at Florida State never got started. A groin injury over the summer lingered into fall camp, and it was quickly determined he'd need season-ending surgery to repair it. He never ran a rep during practice but is expected to be ready to go this spring.

Possible 2013 status: On the one hand, Pender can still step in to a relatively uncertain running back situation and find a niche. James Wilder Jr.'s continued legal problems are a cause for concern, and Devonta Freeman was inconsistent down the stretch after Chris Thompson's injury. On the other hand, Florida State could be adding more talent with this year's recruiting class, and thanks to the injury, Pender won't be dramatically ahead of them in terms of preparation.

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- This spring, Lonnie Pryor went to Jimbo Fisher and asked for a chance to carry the football more. Fisher responded by making his fullback a regular contributor on offense.

But while Pryor's role had increased during the first eight games of the season, there's a chance he'll see an even bigger slice of the carries moving forward as Florida State adjusts to life without Chris Thompson.

"Lonnie is doing a great job carrying the ball," Fisher said. "It has been (a split situation). We’ll keep guys rotating and keep Lonnie in the mix with what we do."

For the season, Pryor has already set career highs with 163 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns. He's averaging 6.8 yards per carry overall, which makes him an interesting weapon to mix with James Wilder Jr. and Devonta Freeman.

"If they need me to go in, I'm ready," Pryor said. "It's a chance that if something happens, I can go in and play tailback. I'm ready for whatever happens."

Of course, Pryor's role as fullback has also been a crucial asset in the FSU offense. Particularly with the veteran Thompson out for the rest of the season, Pryor's ability to pick up blitzes and open running lanes will be essential.

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Mario Edwards Jr. might have been the No. 1 recruit in the nation a year ago, but Jimbo Fisher said the freshman is No. 5 on Florida State's defensive end depth chart, which means he won't get any playing time in 2012.

Fisher said the lack of available reps behind incumbents Bjoern Werner, Brandon Jenkins and Cornellius Carradine led the coaching staff to decide to redshirt Edwards despite a strong performance during fall camp.

"You've got three guys that are possible first- or second-round draft pick guys," Fisher said of his depth chart at the position. "To waste a year on a guy for five, six, seven plays a game makes no sense. We can play him five, six or seven plays, but how much do you gain? There's a lot more to lose in our opinion."

Edwards is one of 10 FSU freshmen expected to redshirt this season, but he was the only one not dressed for Florida State's opener against Murray State on Saturday.

Fisher said it was Edwards' decision not to dress, and that each redshirt player is given the choice before each game. Fisher said players might opt not to dress based on family members attending the game or other issues, but he did not offer any indication as to why Edwards, who along with all FSU freshmen is not made available to the media, chose against dressing for the first game of his college career.

"You don't have to dress. We'll have guys that will and guys that won't," Fisher said. "There was a situation last week, and [Edwards] will probably dress this week. But I give every guy their choice on that."

Edwards is the son of former FSU cornerback Mario Edwards Sr., who currently works for the university as a player development coordinator -- an administrative position that works closely with the coaching staff.

While the redshirt for Edwards comes as somewhat of a surprise given the defensive end's hype on the recruiting circuit, Fisher said the decision isn't indicative of any shortcomings Edwards displayed on the field.

"I'm not one bit disappointed," Fisher said. "What we saw on film and what we thought he was, we think he's exactly that right now. He could be even more. He's actually stronger and more powerful than I even realized."

Still, Edwards checked in at nearly 300 pounds upon arrival this summer, and Fisher said he hopes the redshirt season will provide the freshman with an opportunity to shed a few pounds while getting a better grasp on the playbook.

Fisher said Edwards was not upset by the decision, saying the two "had a good conversation" about the redshirt.

In addition to Edwards, Fisher said fellow defensive end Chris Casher, defensive tackle Justin Shanks, defensive back Colin Blake, linebacker Markuss Eligwe and receiver Marvin Bracy are all expected to redshirt as well.

Bracy has been limited since the spring with a nagging hamstring injury, and Fisher said there's still a chance he could work his way into a smaller role on offense this year, assuming the injury is fully healed now.

"If his hamstring will hold up, we may try to give him four or five things -- the return game and teach him four or five things on offense to get real good at and judge that as we go," Fisher said. "But we've got to do that hopefully this week. I'm anxious to see where he's at -- full, full speed."

Quarterbacks Jameis Winston and Sean Maguire and kicker Roberto Aguayo will also redshirt, along with freshman running back Mario Pender, who will miss the season with a groin injury, and senior defensive tackle Jacobbi McDaniel, who is still recovering from an ankle injury suffered last season.