'Noles will rely on youth
Freshmen are scattered throughout the Seminoles' starting lineup.
August 21. 2005 7:14AM
TALLAHASSEE -- When the Florida State football team takes the field Sept. 5 against Miami, it could have as many as seven underclassmen in its starting lineup. Several more will be counted on to play key reserve roles.
"That's how things work, you lose guys every year," linebacker Ernie Sims said. "You lose some to graduation and some for other reasons. It's just that this year we have a lot of young guys that are going to have to step up to the plate."
Including at quarterback. A redshirt freshman will line up behind center -- either Xavier Lee or Drew Weatherford.
In the secondary, freshman Tony Carter currently mans the position that preseason all-American Antonio Cromartie was projected to fill before going down with an ACL tear weeks before the start of practice.
"I know that I am going to have to learn as things move on," Carter said. "I'm thankful for the experience."
Freshman Trevor Ford and sophomore J.R. Bryant will also play prominent roles -- and could possibly start -- at cornerback, along with Gerard Ross, a seldom-used reserve before earning a first-team spot this season.
Before Brodrick Bunkley was cleared to practice earlier in the week, the five defensive tackles in FSU's camp had a combined six career tackles. And all six belong to sophomore Andre Fluellen, who will start alongside Bunkley in the interior. The physical demands of the position dictate that the freshman quartet of Aaron Jones, Emmanuel Dunbar, Kendrick Stewart and Letroy Guion will see also see plenty of action.
"I'm nervous and excited about this opportunity at the same time," Fluellen said. "This is the first time in awhile I've had to stand up and set an example for other guys."
Offensively, sophomores will start at left guard (Jacky Claude) and right tackle (David Overmyer).
Though FSU has a pair of upperclassmen starting at receiver in Willie Reid and Chris Davis, youth will showcased when the Seminoles go to three or four-wide sets. Sophomore De'Cody Fagg and freshmen Greg Carr, Kenny O'Neal and Fred Rouse all fit different molds and should see plenty of action.
"You never like to have an inexperienced team," FSU coach Bobby Bowden said. "But we are going to have to deal with that this season. Worse news would be if you ain't got anyone with any talent. Thank goodness we've got talent."
