Blending a talented arm with leadership skills uncommon for his age, quarterback James Blackman emerged as perhaps the most pleasant surprise of Florida State’s fall camp.
That Blackman would be FSU’s starting quarterback in Week 2 of the 2017 season, however, may rate as one of the biggest surprises of coach Jimbo Fisher’s tenure in Tallahassee.
That’s the reality for the Seminoles, who have turned to Blackman, a true freshman from Belle Glade, Fla., in the wake of a season-ending injury to starter Deondre Francois.
Blackman certainly not was not part of FSU’s original plan, but, after watching the way Blackman navigated August, the Seminoles say they’re plenty comfortable with their new quarterback.
Better yet, they’re confident.
“I’ve said it since the kid stepped on campus: He’s a special kid,” center Alec Eberle said. “There’s something about him – you just know. With football, sometimes people have the ‘it factor.’ The kid’s got it. Whatever ‘it’ is, he has it.”
