Florida State Football: 6 Second-Year Players Key to 'Noles Success in 2012

Florida State may have been a disappointment on the field last season, but the silver lining to its 9-4 record may have been the stellar play of a handful of members of a star-studded 2011 recruiting class. 

In fact, the Seminoles leading rusher (running back Devonta Freeman) and leading receiver (wide out Rashad Greene) were a pair of true freshmen in 2011. 

Add in defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan (who finished second in the voting for ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year) and former JUCO star Cornellius “Tank” Carradine (38 tackles, 5.5 sacks), and even the ACC’s best defense was boosted by significant contributions from newcomers. 

However, there were several players that either redshirted or barely got their feet wet last season who Jimbo Fisher will count on to make a leap in year two of their collegiate careers. 

Here are six second-year players that are key to the Seminoles’ success this fall.

6. Tyler Hunter

Although he mainly saw action on special teams as a freshman, Hunter's ability to line up at several positions in the secondary is what makes him a candidate to breakout in his second collegiate season. 

On a team loaded with superior athletes, Fisher raved about Hunter’s ability to contribute at several different positions this spring. 

Heading into fall practice, Hunter is in line to replace Mike Harris as the team’s primary nickel corner, and the 6’0”, 194 pound Valdosta, GA. native could earn time as a backup to Lamarcus Joyner at safety and former prep teammate Greg Reid at corner. 

5. Josue Matias

After Matias and three fellow true freshmen offensive linemen came of age in the second half of the Seminoles' 18-14 bowl win over Notre Dame, the 6’5”, 320 pound New Jersey product may as well be representing the ‘Noles batch of sophomore big uglies. 

The former 4-star recruit looks to be in line to take over the left guard position, and help provide a stable presence alongside projected left tackle (and converted defensive tackle) Cameron Erving. 

With the offensive line unit being the main concern for the Seminoles in 2012, the continued improvement of Matias and his fellow sophomores will be a huge factor in helping FSU end its ACC title drought.

4. James Wilder, Jr.

Despite his off-field issues this offseason, Wilder has a chance to build on the tremendous buzz that accompanied him in his transition from high school to college. 

Wilder had a modest debut season in Tallahassee—he carried the ball 35 times for 160 yards and scored one touchdown—but with the injury issues to fellow backfield mates Devonta Freeman and Chris Thompson, the door has been left open for the 6’2”, 220 pound former 5-star recruit to force his way onto the field. 

When you take into account that Wilder is the only true tailback on the Seminoles that weighs north of 200 pounds, his physically bruising style would be a welcome addition to a team that struggled mightily to gain tough yards on the ground last season. 

3. Nick O'Leary

O’Leary had a solid freshman season—catching 12 passes for 164 yards and one touchdown—but his role should expand after the graduation of seniors Beau Reliford and Jabaris Little. 

The 6’4”, 240 pound O’Leary has the skill set to become a matchup nightmare for opposing linebackers and safeties.

Fisher experimented lining O’Leary up at various spots during the spring—whether it was in the backfield, on the line of scrimmage or putting him in motion. 

Florida State’s lack of a presence at tight end over the years has been noted, but expect O’Leary to help change that starting this season. 

2. Karlos Williams

Rated as the nation’s top safety prospect in 2011, Williams may have been the biggest fish in a class stocked with elite talents. 

However, his freshman season was relatively quiet outside of a few flashes of brilliance on special teams. 

With junior Terrence Brooks heading into fall camp with a comfortable grip on the starting safety position opposite Lamarcus Joyner, Williams will still find himself as an active participant in the rotation at safety. 

Williams—who flirted with switching to offense—has instead shown a renewed focus on mastering the defensive playbook, which should help him to harness his unlimited potential in being part of the future of the Seminoles' secondary. 

1. Kelvin Benjamin

On a loaded wide receiver unit that loses only one out of nine pass-catchers that recorded double-digit receptions in 2011, the biggest buzz came from a player that redshirted last season. 

Benjamin—a 6’6”, 242 pound freakish talent—wasted little time in turning his imposing size into a matchup nightmare for a talented Seminoles secondary this spring. 

While Fisher has plenty of talented options at receiver, Benjamin can bring a physical element that can turn a good unit into a scary one. 

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