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Spring Question 2: What will FSU's offensive line look like in 2017?

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Will Rick Leonard (left) and Wilson Bell (right) be among the five starters protecting Deondre Francois next season?
Will Rick Leonard (left) and Wilson Bell (right) be among the five starters protecting Deondre Francois next season? (Gene Williams/Warchant)

With the start of spring football practice a couple weeks away, the Warchant staff is looking at Five Big Questions facing the Florida State Seminoles this spring. As we count down those questions in reverse order (from No. 5 to No. 1), each installment will feature comments from Warchant publisher Gene Williams, managing editor Ira Schoffel and lead beat writer Ryan S. Clark.

Each installment also will feature a podcast discussion by our staff. The podcast will cover some of the points from the article as well as further comments from each panelist. Please be sure to read the article and also listen to the podcast.

Question No. 2: With left tackle Rod Johnson leaving early for the NFL, left guard Kareem Are graduating and other shakeups possible, what will Florida State's offensive line look like in 2017?

RYAN S. CLARK: We know FSU is going to have at least two starting jobs on the offensive line up for grabs, and replacing Roderick Johnson is at the top of that list. FSU will have options such as Mike Arnold, Abdul Bello, Josh Ball, Ethan Frith and Jauan Williams available to audition.

Are's departure means we'll likely see Cole Minshew fill in at left guard. Minshew played last year at both right and left guard, so that move makes sense. Center could be up for grabs as well. Alec Eberle wasn't the most consistent player and could see competition from Andrew Boselli, especially since he's sidelined right now after hip surgery.

The right side appears set, but there's no guarantees. Landon Dickerson started seven games at right guard, and it would have been more if not for an ACL tear in his right knee. Rick Leonard started three games to begin the year, lost his job and then started at right tackle to end the final few games of the 2016 season. One would expect FSU to stick with Dickerson and Leonard on the right side.

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