Which underclassmen will rise to the occasion of the Seminoles in 2022 ?
In the third year under the leadership of head coach Mike Norwell, Florida State needed to produce. In order to win, the Seminole will have to start turning its luster into consistent production. Norwell and employees could benefit from a number of people taking the next steps, as we saw in the 2021 season.
Running back Treschuan Ward developed rapidly as a key element of the 'Knowles rushing attack', which ended with 515 rushing yards and four touchdowns.
Defensively, linebacker Kallen Deloch became an anchor of the linebacking group by accumulating 69 tackles (third on the team), which included 38 singles (second on the team).
I highlighted three players most likely to follow in DeLoach and Ward's footsteps and leapfrog into the 2022 season, and all three emerging sophistication.
1. Malik McClain, Wide Receiver
McClain gave us a glimpse of his potential last season, but with an FSU strength and conditioning program, with a second full offseason under his belt, he could be out on the scene in 2022. He's coming out of the 16 reception, 190-yard True Freshman campaign where he started nine out of 12 contests. He scored two touchdowns, including the faded route he fought down against Boston College.
Malik McClain with a beautiful touchdown catch 🔥pic.twitter.com/H4LFuMsudj
— PointsBet Sportsbook (@PointsBetUSA) November 20, 2021
Norwell and defensive coordinator Adam Fuller added several pieces through the transfer portal. Therefore, McClain will have other quality pass-catchers in the room to compete for the target. However, McClain's prototype size is (6-foot-4), which succeeds as 'Knowles' number one outside target. He showed the ability to catch intermediate passes from short and use his pace, as we saw in his first career game against Notre Dame, where he beat his defender down on a netting concept and took 21 yards. In a similar game against UMass, he freed on a trap concept and caught a pass at the bottom, which ultimately resulted in a 51-yard advantage when he went down the edge.
2. Kevin Knowles II, Defensive Back
Similar to McClain, Knowles II saw heavy action as a true freshman, starting seven games and appearing in 12. He made a total of 26 tackles (15 singles) and two pass breaks. He didn't record an interception, but he was very active around the ball. In a 35–25 win against North Carolina on October 9, the Tar Heels scored another 4th goal for it, but Knowles II made a diving play in the corner of the endzone to break a touchdown.
Budding sophistication isn't afraid to get in the box and tackle either. He led all defensive backs with seven tackles against Boston College and finished with five tackles against Miami, the fourth most of any 'Knoll against the Storm'.
In 2022, Knowles II is set to win the nickel role and start the season. As he gains more experience, Knowles II should play a leading role at Tallahassee and could be one of the leading underclassmen defensive backs in the country.
3. Omarion Cooper, Defensive Back
I stayed on the defensive for my final picks because I think the Cooper pairing is going well with Knowles II in the future, and both opposing wide receivers can fit in if they develop how confident they are. can.
Cooper finished the 2021 season with 16 tackles (10 singles), four pass breakups and two interceptions, including one against Miami. Like Knowles II, Cooper gets better as the season progresses and has the physical equipment to start for Knowles in 2022.
For Fuller and the rest of the defensive coaching staff, Cooper could become the primary man-to-man corner and excel at press coverage against opposing receivers while Knowles works in the II slot.
Stay with NoleGameday for more news about Florida State's upcoming 2022 season throughout the spring.