Receivers: Five things to know about FSU's wideouts in 2017

Inexperience and youth were always going to be part of the equation for Florida State's receivers in 2017. Senior starters like Kermit Whitfield and Jesus “Bobo” Wilson were graduating, and those departures initially left Travis Rudolph as the group’s elder statesman. The plan was for Rudolph, a rising senior, to guide the Seminoles’ youthful-yet-promising receiving corps.

Rudolph, however, declared for the NFL Draft, leaving FSU without a truly experienced receiver for the 2017 season. These changes have placed juniors Nyqwan Murray and Auden Tate under an even larger microscope. Murray and Tate showed last year they possess the qualities needed to become star performers. Despite their potential, a lack of experience remains a concern. Between them, Murray and Tate have combined for six career starts.

Seminoles coach Jimbo Fisher and receivers coach Lawrence Dawsey also face more questions as it relates to their receivers. Can sophomore Keith Gavin prove his kickoff return against Michigan was a sign of what’s to come? Is this the year junior Da’Vante Phillips breaks through and becomes a significant contributor? How long will it take redshirt sophomore George Campbell to recover fully from a core injury and give FSU another big target to accompany Tate?

FSU also welcomes freshmen D.J. Matthews and Tamorrion Terry into the mix. Altogether, the Seminoles have eight scholarship receivers to choose from. It now comes down to finding the right players capable of being trusted by Dawsey, Fisher and redshirt sophomore quarterback Deondre Francois.