FSU Football Top 40: Travis Jay headlines list of FSU players 11-20
It's time to look ahead to the 2021 Florida State football season with Warchant's annual list of the Top 40 players on the Seminoles' roster -- the players we expect to make the biggest impact for FSU this fall. (Note: This is not necessarily the 40 most talented players, but the players we believe will have the opportunity and capability to make the biggest impact this season.)
The list was compiled through voting by Warchant's Gene Williams, Ira Schoffel, Corey Clark, Aslan Hajivandi and ESPN-Tallahassee's Jeff Cameron. The Top 40 will be revealed in segments. It began with players No. 40 through No. 31 and was followed by players No. 30 through No. 21. It continues today with players No. 20 through No. 11.
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No. 20 -- Redshirt freshman linebacker Stephen Dix Jr.
He was thrown into battle as a true freshman. The Orlando native played in all nine games for the Seminoles and started the last five. He had some ups -- including a nine-tackle performance in the Seminoles' upset of North Carolina -- but he had plenty of downs as well. That comes with the territory when you're playing as a true freshman linebacker on a defense that, quite frankly, was one of the worst in the country.
Dix figures to be a big part of the Seminoles' plans in the coming years and could very well start again this fall. He has shown flashes of potential, and at 231 pounds certainly has the requisite size to be a physical tackler. If he can use the experience of 2020 as a positive and grow from those challenges, then he should be a big-time contributor for the Seminoles in 2021 and beyond.
Individual rankings:
Gene (15); Corey (18); Aslan (21); Ira (23); Jeff (25).
No. 19 -- Redshirt junior receiver Ontaria Wilson
Has yet to have the breakthrough season that he's seemed on the verge of for a few years now. Part of that has been injury, part of that has been inconsistency and part of that is because he hasn't exactly had a stable of great quarterbacks throwing him the football. But Wilson has proven he can be a capable college receiver. Perhaps this season he can be much more.
He's one of the fastest players on the team. In his career, he has caught 55 passes for 644 yards and three touchdowns, including a 69-yarder a season ago. No matter if McKenzie Milton is the starter or an improved Jordan Travis, the QB play for the Seminoles figures to be much better in 2021. That could mean much bigger numbers for Wilson.
Individual rankings:
Ira (15); Corey (15); Aslan (20); Jeff (27); Gene (23).
No. 18 -- Redshirt junior tight end Camren McDonald
Like Wilson, McDonald is a player who could -- and should -- benefit from improved quarterback play. The California native has also yet to have a breakthrough season, but he's made steady strides since he stepped foot on campus. He didn't get on the field much as a freshman, then caught 13 passes in 2019 and followed that up with 23 catches for 263 yards and two scores last year as a redshirt sophomore.
McDonald is listed at 6-4, 242 pounds and still moves like a wide receiver. He has improved his run-blocking so he can stay on the field more, and he should be a valuable weapon in the middle of the field for the FSU offense in 2021.
Individual rankings:
Jeff (17); Ira (18); Gene (18); Corey (19); Aslan (23).
No. 17 -- Redshirt freshman cornerback Jarvis Brownlee
Was one of the most impressive newcomers on the FSU defense in 2020. The former three-star recruit played in the final eight games for the Seminoles and started the last four, finishing with 26 tackles, a sack and a highlight-reel interception against N.C. State.
He wasn't perfect as a true freshman. Nobody is. But the Miami product showed an aggressive mindset, a physical style of play and a self-confidence that was rather rare on the Seminoles' defense in 2020. Brownlee didn't shy away from contact, and he never seemed to be scared of the moment. Still just a redshirt freshman, Brownlee could become a cornerstone of the FSU secondary in the coming years.
Individual rankings:
Corey (12); Ira (14); Gene (19); Jeff (20); Aslan (27).
No. 16 -- Redshirt sophomore cornerback Jarrian Jones
Battled injury throughout his first year at Florida State. The Mississippi State transfer had flashes of solid play a season ago, but struggled to make any real impact in the Seminoles' secondary. He finished with just 18 tackles and one pass breakup in eight games.
But the way head coach Mike Norvell and defensive coordinator Adam Fuller talked about him this spring, the sense is that Jones might be ready to take off in 2021. He's listed at 6-feet, 190 pounds and is considered one of the fastest players on the roster. If he stays healthy, Jones should be very much in contention for one of the starting cornerback spots this fall.
Individual rankings:
Aslan (9); Jeff (14); Corey (21); Gene (21); Ira (24).
No. 15 -- Redshirt freshman offensive lineman Robert Scott
Could end up being a terrific college offensive tackle. Norvell and offensive line coach Alex Atkins have raved about his potential since he arrived, and as a true freshman in 2020, he showcased some of that by starting each of the last seven games for the Seminoles at right tackle. He wasn't dominant in those games, of course, but he certainly held his own. Not an easy task for a true freshman starting in the ACC.
He's listed at 6-5, 311 pounds and should only get bigger, stronger and better for the Seminoles in the coming years.
Individual rankings:
Gene (8); Aslan (12); Jeff (15); Ira (17); Corey (20).
No. 14 -- Redshirt sophomore defensive tackle Fabien Lovett
Didn't have quite the impact he was expecting to have in his first season as a Seminole. He was banged up for part of the fall and could never really seem to find his footing. Lovett played in eight games and actually made two starts, but he finished with just 14 tackles and one sack on the season.
In the spring, though, he seemed to showcase more of that burst and physicality that Norvell was so high on when he transferred in from Mississippi State. Lovett should have a much more prominent role on the FSU defense this fall, and he could end up being one of the most valuable players on that side of the ball.
Individual rankings:
Corey (10); Ira (12); Gene (13); Aslan (15); Jeff (19).
No. 13 -- Redshirt sophomore running back Jashaun Corbin
Expected to be a vital part of the FSU offense in 2021. The Texas A&M transfer rushed for 401 yards and five touchdowns on 81 carries a season ago for the Seminoles. He was most effective early last year in short-yardage situations, but he really seemed to find his stride late in the year.
He ran for 77 yards and a score against N.C. State and then followed that up with a 72-yard effort in the season finale against Duke. Looking 100 percent healthy late in the year after a devastating hamstring injury at Texas A&M, Corbin showed glimpses of what made him one of the highest-ranked running back recruits coming out of high school three years ago.
Individual rankings:
Gene (10); Aslan (11); Ira (13); Corey (14); Jeff (16).
No. 12 -- Redshirt junior defensive tackle Robert Cooper
While he is never going to wow anyone with his stats, Cooper continues to make an impact in the middle of the defensive line for the Seminoles. His size and strength make him an invaluable piece of the FSU front. He's not a star. He might not ever be a star. But what he can provide is mighty important for a defense that has struggled to stop much of anything in recent years.
Cooper has started 18 games the past two season and racked up 55 tackles and seven tackles for loss. He is currently listed at 6-2, 332 pounds and continues to get into the best shape of his career.
Individual rankings:
Ira (8); Aslan (10); Jeff (12); Gene (12); Corey (17).
No. 11 -- Redshirt freshman defensive back Travis Jay
Maybe the biggest wildcard on the entire team, Jay has all the physical attributes to be one of the best players on the team. Last year, he played some corner and mostly safety, but he struggled through some injuries and really wasn't able to make the impact he was hoping to make in his first year of college football. But the potential is there.
He's 6-2, 195 pounds and is such a dynamic athlete that he's one of the team's top return specialists. Jay played six games a season ago and started two, finishing with 26 tackles, one forced fumble and one highlight-reel interception in the season finale against Duke. There's still a whole lot of room to improve, but if Jay can lock in on a position and start to feel comfortable, he could be one of the surprise players in the entire conference.
Individual rankings:
Gene (6); Corey (6); Jeff (10); Ira (16); Aslan (18).
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