FSU Seminoles: Ruben Carter
Can O-line pick up where Watson left off?
March, 11, 2013
Mar 11
8:00
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By
David M. Hale | ESPN.com
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- The lure for Menelik Watson to return for his senior season was the potential of Florida State's offensive line. Had he played for the Seminoles again in 2013, all five starters from a solid unit would've been back, and Watson figured they could have been something special.
"They still are going to be one of the best in the country, but the camaraderie us five had was good," Watson said. "That was really the hardest thing for me."
The unit entered the 2012 season with just 16 combined starts -- 14 of which belonged to center Bryan Stork -- but quickly jelled.
The question now is whether that same camaraderie -- and more significantly, that same potential -- can exist without Watson.
The numbers suggest Watson was integral to the line's success a year ago. Watson missed two-and-a-half games in the 2012 season, and in those 10 quarters FSU allowed 10 sacks. In the 11-plus games he played, the Seminoles allowed just 16.
Part of those struggles without Watson could be pinned on Daniel Glauser, another juco transfer who stepped in as the primary backup at right tackle throughout most of 2012, but that also underscores just how far Bobby Hart had fallen.
"They still are going to be one of the best in the country, but the camaraderie us five had was good," Watson said. "That was really the hardest thing for me."
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Al Messerschmidt/Getty ImagesIf Bobby Hart can fulfill his potential, Florida State's offensive line might not miss a beat despite the loss of Menelik Watson to the NFL.
Al Messerschmidt/Getty ImagesIf Bobby Hart can fulfill his potential, Florida State's offensive line might not miss a beat despite the loss of Menelik Watson to the NFL.The question now is whether that same camaraderie -- and more significantly, that same potential -- can exist without Watson.
The numbers suggest Watson was integral to the line's success a year ago. Watson missed two-and-a-half games in the 2012 season, and in those 10 quarters FSU allowed 10 sacks. In the 11-plus games he played, the Seminoles allowed just 16.
Part of those struggles without Watson could be pinned on Daniel Glauser, another juco transfer who stepped in as the primary backup at right tackle throughout most of 2012, but that also underscores just how far Bobby Hart had fallen.
Now that national signing day is behind us, NoleNation takes a closer look at the next crop of Seminoles.
Vitals: Offensive guard Wilson Bell (Prichard, Ala./M.T. Blount), 6-foot-4, 290 pounds
Committed: Feb. 6, 2013
Vitals: Offensive guard Wilson Bell (Prichard, Ala./M.T. Blount), 6-foot-4, 290 pounds
Committed: Feb. 6, 2013
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With national signing day behind us, NoleNation takes a closer look at the next crop of Seminoles.
Vitals: Offensive lineman Ryan Hoefeld (New Orleans/Brother Martin), 6-foot-3, 275 pounds
Vitals: Offensive lineman Ryan Hoefeld (New Orleans/Brother Martin), 6-foot-3, 275 pounds
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State of the Noles: Offensive Tackle 
February, 20, 2013
Feb 20
8:30
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By NoleNation Staff | ESPN.com
NoleNation writers David Hale and Corey Dowlar are going position by position, looking at what FSU has on its roster now, and who might provide reinforcements down the line, projecting starters and evaluating the depth through 2015.
Up next, one of the biggest long-term needs for FSU: Offensive tackle.
Current scholarship offensive tackles (4): Cameron Erving (RJr.), Henry Orelus (RSSr.), Bobby Hart (Jr.), Wilson Bell (Fr.)
Potential early departures: The buzz surrounding Erving in his first season on the offensive line in 2012 was immense, making an early exit for the NFL a possibility. But throughout the year, he showed he still needed time to develop. He has the physical talent for the next level, but it remains to be seen if he'll be ready by the end of 2013.
Up next, one of the biggest long-term needs for FSU: Offensive tackle.
Current scholarship offensive tackles (4): Cameron Erving (RJr.), Henry Orelus (RSSr.), Bobby Hart (Jr.), Wilson Bell (Fr.)
Potential early departures: The buzz surrounding Erving in his first season on the offensive line in 2012 was immense, making an early exit for the NFL a possibility. But throughout the year, he showed he still needed time to develop. He has the physical talent for the next level, but it remains to be seen if he'll be ready by the end of 2013.
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State of the Noles: Guards and Centers
February, 18, 2013
Feb 18
8:30
AM ET
By NoleNation Staff | ESPN.com
When it comes to recruiting, coaches are always thinking long-term. It's not just about which holes must be filled immediately, but rather where the needs might be in two or three more years.
With that in mind, NoleNation writers David Hale and Corey Dowlar are going through each position, looking at what FSU has on its roster now, and who might provide reinforcements down the line, projecting starters and evaluating the depth through 2015.
Up next, a look at the interior of FSU's offensive line: Guards and centers.
Current scholarship Guards/Centers (11): Tre Jackson (Jr.), Ruben Carter (RSSo.), Josue Matias (Jr.), Daniel Foose (RSJr.), Trey Pettis (RSSo.), Garrett Faircloth (RSSr.), Ira Denson (Fr.), Sterling Lovelady (Jr.), Bryan Stork (Sr.), Austin Barron (Jr.), Ryan Hoefeld (Fr.)
With that in mind, NoleNation writers David Hale and Corey Dowlar are going through each position, looking at what FSU has on its roster now, and who might provide reinforcements down the line, projecting starters and evaluating the depth through 2015.
Up next, a look at the interior of FSU's offensive line: Guards and centers.
Current scholarship Guards/Centers (11): Tre Jackson (Jr.), Ruben Carter (RSSo.), Josue Matias (Jr.), Daniel Foose (RSJr.), Trey Pettis (RSSo.), Garrett Faircloth (RSSr.), Ira Denson (Fr.), Sterling Lovelady (Jr.), Bryan Stork (Sr.), Austin Barron (Jr.), Ryan Hoefeld (Fr.)
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ABOUT NOLE NATION
David Hale
David Hale joined ESPN.com in 2012 after covering the Philadelphia Phillies for The News Journal in Wilmington, Del., and the University of Georgia for The Macon (Ga.) Telegraph. Hale has written about college and professional sports since 2004. He currently lives in Tallahassee, Fla., and can be reached at davidmhale@gmail.com.
Corey Dowlar
Corey Dowlar joined ESPN.com in 2012 after covering Florida State and South Florida athletics for 247Sports.com and Rivals.com. Dowlar has written about Florida State sports and recruiting since 2007. He currently lives in Clearwater, Fla., and can be reached at cdowlar@gmail.com.