Florida State Football 2015: Winners, Losers from Noles' Spring Practices, Game
The Florida State Seminoles concluded spring practice Saturday with the Garnet and Gold Game, which helped solidify some winners and losers of the session.
The injury bug bit Jimbo Fisher's team hard throughout the spring. While it sidelined a few potential starters that would've benefited from the offseason reps, it created opportunities for some expected reserves to step up.
Additionally, a couple of positional units were surrounded by question marks, but not every one managed to escape those problems.
Who do you think showed out during the spring? Head to the comments section and add your thoughts.
Please note that this article takes a look at the entire spring, not just the game itself.
Winner: Rick Leonard, Defensive End
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Injuries along the entire defensive line allowed sophomore Rick Leonard to stake a claim to a place in the Seminoles' rotation.
According to Bob Ferrante of 247Sports, defensive back and team leader Jalen Ramsey said Leonard has a strong work ethic and plays with a "dog mentality."
In addition to registering a tackle for loss in the spring game, the 6'7", 273-pound defensive end disrupted passing lanes with his tall reach. Tim Linafelt of Seminoles.com noted Fisher praised Leonard for his contributions.
Per Brendan Sonnone of the Orlando Sentinel, Leonard was named co-Defensive MVP of the spring.
Loser: Wide Receivers
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Following a disappointing second scrimmage, Jimbo Fisher held nothing back when describing his receiving corps that must replace record-breaking wideout Rashad Greene.
"Our receivers need to grow up," Fisher said, according to Sonnone. "They ain't very tough, not very competitive, not one of them."
Bobo Wilson, Ermon Lane, George Campbell and Ja'Vonn "Pigg" Harrison each tallied at least 94 yards in the Garnet & Gold Game, so the talent is clearly there. Consistency remains the issue.
It's evident that Florida State will rely on its immensely talented running backs to carry the offense, but Maguire—or whoever eventually wins the starting job—needs the young receivers to step up regularly.
Winner: Sean Maguire, Quarterback
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While spending most of his previous seasons as a backup, Sean Maguire was able to watch Jameis Winston, Clint Trickett and Jacob Coker, three major-program starting quarterbacks.
"I've learned so much from two springs ago to now," Maguire said, per Ferrante. "I got to see Jameis, Clint and Coker play and take a little bit from each of them."
After the 2015 spring session, the prevailing thought is that the junior separated himself from J.J. Cosentino and De'Andre Johnson.
Maguire did occasionally look shaky during the spring game, but Cosentino underthrew his targets, and Johnson struggled in pre-snap situations.
As of this moment, Maguire has pulled away as the starter. With that being said, he has a long way to go before he's officially named the No. 1 QB.
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Loser: Alec Eberle, Center
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Alec Eberle has been practicing as the first-team center, hoping to replace the NFL-bound Cameron Erving on the offensive line. But the spring game showed a continuation of a negative trend: bad snaps.
In March, Sonnone noted Fisher called Eberle "a very tough guy," adding that "he's a a hard worker." However, the redshirt freshman was struggling at the same time.
Fast-forward to Saturday, and Eberle was off the mark at least four times in the opening half, one of which factored into a Maguire interception.
The Noles will likely be strong in the trenches, but Eberle remains a work in progress.
Winner: Mavin Saunders, Tight End
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Though spring game statistics are not indicative of regular-season success, Mavin Saunders made his presence felt in the box score on Saturday.
A class of 2014 signee who redshirted last year, he snared six passes for 91 yards and a touchdown, including an impressive grab over the middle in traffic.
"You could see why he's got a chance to be a really, really big-time tight end," Fisher said after the game, according to a video posted by the Florida State Seminoles YouTube channel.
Saunders is part of a group that must replace first-team All-American Nick O'Leary. The 6'6" tight end needs to develop as a blocker, but his competition—Jeremy Kerr and Ryan Izzo—is not overly strong.
Loser: Collective Health
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Injuries can deplete a team quickly, but Florida State took short-handed to another level.
By the end of spring practice, quarterback John Franklin III, receivers Levonte Whitfield and Da'Vante Phillips, fullback Freddie Stevenson, tight end Kerr and center Ryan Hoefeld were all unavailable.
On the other side of the ball, it was worse. Defensive linemen Chris Casher, Josh Sweat and Nile Lawrence-Stample were out, and linebackers Reggie Northrup, Matthew Thomas, Terrance Smith, Jacob Pugh and Delvin Purifoy joined defensive backs Tyler Hunter and Calvin Brewton on the sideline.
It seems that bubble wrap has never been more necessary to protect a team.
Winner: Jacques Patrick, Running Back
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Barring injury, Dalvin Cook will be FSU's starting running back. But hooo-buddy, Jacques Patrick ought to terrify the nation as the Seminoles' No. 2.
"He runs natural, sees cuts, makes natural cuts," Fisher said of Patrick, per Ferrante. "That's a big load when you come through there. ... I tell you what he has: great hands. Not good hands, great hands."
An early-enrolling freshman, Patrick is already listed at a bruising 232 pounds before even stepping onto the field. The 4-star recruit displayed outstanding burst, speed and power throughout the spring game.
Mario Pender will certainly challenge for the backup role, but a few short weeks of practice showed what a special talent Patrick is.
Note: All recruiting information via 247Sports and rankings based on 247Sports' composite rankings.
Follow Bleacher Report college football writer David Kenyon on Twitter: @Kenyon19_BR.
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