Garnet and Gold game preview: Here are six Florida State football players to watch
Saturday's Garnet & Gold Spring Showcase will be a chance for Florida State football players to show the fanbase their progress during the spring and since their last game in the Cheez-It Bowl.
The Seminoles enter 2023 with high expectations coming off their first 10-win season since 2016. Under fourth-year head coach Mike Norvell, they are seen as early contenders for the College Football Playoffs and early favorites for an ACC Championship.
This will mark the team's fourteenth spring practice, at 4 p.m. inside Doak Campbell Stadium. Gates open at 3 p.m. and it will be broadcast on ACC Network Extra.
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While quarterback is set with early Heisman favorite Jordan Travis, along with running back with Trey Benson and receiver with Johnny Wilson, there are many jobs up for grabs on offense including backup QB, two starting receiver spots, tight end and offensive line.
On defense, defensive end Jared Verse, defensive tackle Fabien Lovett and Virginia transfer cornerback Fentrell Cypress III, have jobs locked down. The defensive line room, along with linebacker and defensive backs all have open jobs.
Saturday will be a chance for these players to show they are ready to step up for a bigger role come Sept. 3 when FSU kicks off the season against LSU at Camping World Stadium in Orlando.
So, here are six players to watch for Saturday's Garnet & Gold Spring Showcase ― three on offense, three on defense.
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Quarterback Jordan Travis | No. 13
This season, Travis will have the best chance since Jameis Winston's 2013 Heisman season to bring the trophy for the top college football player back to Tallahassee.
Last season, he led all Power Five QBs with a 91.8 overall offensive grade, according to Pro Football Focus. Yet, Travis has found a way to look even better during spring practices thus far.
Travis threw for career-highs in completion percentage (64%), yards (3,214) and touchdowns (24), while throwing five interceptions. He also added 417 rushing yards and seven touchdowns.
He didn't play much in the two spring scrimmages but with fans chomping at the bit to see their QB1 Saturday, expect him to get a good amount of time with the 1s.
More: 10 FSU football players who have shown most growth experience through 9 spring practices
Running back Trey Benson | No. 3
According to PFF, Benson was the most elusive running back in college football last season. Benson posted a college football-best 226.6 elusive rankings, well ahead of second-place Arizona's Michael Wiley (204.0)
He finished fifth with 79 missed tackles forced in just 154 rushing attempts and finished with 990 yards rushing for the season.
One thing Benson has added to his game this spring is a better ability to catch passes out of the backfield, making him a more complete back.
He caught 13 passes for 144 yards last season. On Tuesday, Benson led the running backs with multiple catches in practice and added an acrobatic catch Thursday.
Inside the numbers: Dissecting final PFF numbers, why Jordan Travis is an elite quarterback
Tight end Jaheim Bell | No. 6
This will be the first chance for fans to see the versatile South Carolina transfer in action. Bell was the No. 1 tight end and No. 8 overall player in 247Sports transfer ratings.
In three seasons with the Gamecocks, Bell caught 56 passes for 757 yards and seven touchdowns. He also added 80 carries into 301 yards and three scores as a ball carrier.
Norvell has already been creative with how he has used Bell in his offense this spring.
Bell's versatility could open up new wrinkles in the Seminoles' offense and Saturday could be the first glimpse of it for fans.
Defensive end Jared Verse | No. 5
Outside of Travis, Verse announcing his return sent the most shockwaves throughout the fanbase. Verse was mocked as a potential first-round draft pick in the NFL Mock Drafts.
He is a player Norvell said has shown improvements this season. Verse recorded a team-high nine sacks and 16.5 tackles for a loss across 12 games, along with 47 tackles and three quarterback hurries, earning first-team All-ACC honors in his first season as a Seminole.
This spring, Verse has shown better technique, fundamentals and has been even stronger against the run.
Verse claims he can beat his roommate Benson in a race. Maybe that is something he can show to the fans Saturday?
Cornerback Fentrell Cypress III | No. 23
When the No. 1 cornerback and No. 4 overall player in the transfer portal, according to 247 Sports, announced he was transferring to the Seminoles, he added a proven, veteran presence to the FSU secondary.
Cypress was named second-team All-ACC this season after recording 39 tackles and 14 pass breakups for Virginia in 2022.
He'll take over as the No. 2 cornerback and fill the void of leadership of safety Jammie Robinson, who is headed to the NFL Draft.
Cypress has shown why he was highly touted early in spring practices. Now fans get to see one of the top cornerback transfers in action.
Safety Omarion Cooper | No. 13
Combined with the addition of Cypress and the loss of Robinson, Omarion Cooper is moving to safety this season.
Following a strong closing to his freshman season in 2021, expectations were high for Cooper in 2022. He however struggled with injuries and never found his game, recording 14 tackles, one interception and one forced fumble in 12 games.
Now healthy and at a position likely better suited for his skillset, Cooper has looked strong in the spring.
If he continues his progress, he could find himself starting next to Shyheim Brown for the Seminoles this season.
Florida State Garnet & Gold Spring Showcase
What: Florida State Garnet & Gold Spring Showcase (Practice No. 14)
When/Where: 4 p.m., Saturday; Doak Campbell Stadium
TV/Radio: ACC Network Extra/96.5 FM/FSU Gameday App
Reach Ehsan Kassim at ekassim@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter at @Ehsan_Kassim. You can also follow our coverage on Facebook (NoleSports) and Instagram (tlhnolesports).
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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU football: Players to watch at Florida State spring game
