Florida State football: 5 questions the Seminoles must answer in 2020

1. Florida State football questions: Is Blackman still the QB or is there a better option?

The Seminoles flirted with transfer Alex Hornibrook at times last year for one reason or another but James Blackman remained the starting quarterback for the majority of the season. Now heading into his junior campaign, his experience seemingly gives him the edge to be the starter once again. After all, he has 23 starts, 5,079 passing yards and 41 touchdowns to his credit.

Yet, there’s a reason that Blackman doesn’t inspire a ton of confidence as the top option under center. He’s endured turnover issues throughout his career, averaging one per start to this point, and has seemingly shrunk in the bigger moments that he’s been a part of. Subsequently, with a change in the coaching staff, it might be time for a change.

Though missing spring practices robbed us of this somewhat, I still expect — or at least believe there should be — an open competition between Blackman and a pair of freshmen, Tate Rodemaker and Chubba Purdy. Sophomore Jordan Travis is there as well but he doesn’t seem to be too much of a challenging factor at this point.

Of the trio mentioned above, Blackman has experience while Rodemaker has the edge over Purdy in terms of enrolling early and getting time in the program. But Purdy might be the most naturally gifted of the three. Subsequently, there is nothing that should be settled at quarterback right now and Norvell should look in every way possible to try and upgrade from Blackman if possible. If not, he needs to find a way to make Blackman more of a sure hand at the position.

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