Florida State's offensive line still has questions marks. There are just fewer queries compared to this time a year ago, and there also seems to be a stronger sense of optimism within the program.
On Monday, FSU released its projected depth chart for Saturday's season opener against No. 1 Alabama at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. As expected, the No. 3 Seminoles will go with redshirt junior Derrick Kelly at left tackle and sophomore Landon Dickerson at left guard. Redshirt junior Alec Eberle will be deployed at center, while redshirt sophomore Cole Minshew and senior Rick Leonard will be at right guard and right tackle, respectively.
"I think our line had a really good camp," Seminoles coach Jimbo Fisher said during his Monday press conference. "We ran the football, we pass-blocked and did the things we had assignment-wise, and worked hard on blitz pickups and different things. The running game, the pass game, all the different scenarios."
Partly due to inconsistent line play, the Seminoles allowed 36 sacks last season, which ranked 108th out of 128 Football Bowl Subdivision programs. The group then lost starting guard Kareem Are to graduation, All-ACC left tackle Rod Johnson to the NFL Draft and part-time starting guard Wilson Bell to transfer.
That led to many fans and pundits asking how the line could improve its protection of redshirt sophomore quarterback Deondre Francois. Or how it could open holes for a new-look rushing attack, now that former star tailback Dalvin Cook is in the NFL.
Those particular questions will be partially answered when the Seminoles play the Crimson Tide. They won't be answered in full until the season is over. For now, there's reason to think this year's group could provide some answers right away.
"Everyone has grown in their certain way," said Leonard, who started six games at right tackle last season. "Eberle is the most experienced one we've got ... Derrick can go and play anywhere, and that's just amazing to watch him do that. You've got Landon returning from an ACL, and he's doing really good, looking really good and moving really well.
"And Cole is playing lights out."
