Willie Taggart says Orlando native Deondre Francois may be slightly behind the curve in learning Florida State's new up-tempo, spread offense after missing spring practice.
But Francois, who has recovered from a significant knee injury, is not significantly trailing James Blackman and Bailey Hockman for the starting quarterback job this fall.
"I think you can see where Bailey Hockman and James Blackman have a great understanding in what we're doing. They're probably a little ahead of Francois from that standpoint," Taggart said during his first media day as Seminoles coach on Sunday at Doak Campbell Stadium.
"Those guys have a better understanding because they have more reps doing it.
"It's been really good to see Deondre — it's not like he's that far back. He hasn't had those reps (in spring), and he's still able to come out and execute our offense."
After two weeks of fall camp, the media day event seemed like the perfect opportunity for Taggart to name a starting quarterback. He smiled widely and gave a succinct answer when asked if he was ready to do so.
"Nope, I'm not (ready)," he responded. "And how close (are we)? Closer than we were the first day of training camp. We're getting there."
Francois, FSU's 2016 starter and the ACC Rookie of the Year that season, is the presumed leader after accurate performances in practices open to the media during the first two weeks of the preseason.
But after an offseason with legal off-field distractions, Francois has also focused on being a consummate teammate among the Seminoles.
"I want the starting job back really bad," Francois said. "I know Bailey wants it, and I know James wants it. And I know Coach Taggart and Coach Bell will evaluate it and put the best man in the game.
"But whatever happens, I'm all for the team. I just want to team succeed. It's not about me. It's not about Bailey. It's not about James. It's about the Florida State Seminoles. Whatever decision Coach Taggart makes, I'm all in with it."
Blackman, who was thrust into the starting role after Francois tore his patellar tendon against No. 1 Alabama in the opener, needs to work on his accuracy. But he continues to win over coaches and teammates with his improved confidence heading into his sophomore season.
"To be honest, I feel like whoever comes out and works the hardest should get the job," Blackman said. "Whoever can show the 10 guys around them that they can make them better, they'll get the job."
Hockman, a redshirt freshman who saw his first action in college during FSU's spring game, may be the dark horse in the battle, but continues to earn praise for his engagement in the competition.
"I think I'm for sure an underdog," Hockman said. "I've got two guys that have played and two guys that have experience, but I think it all just pushes me to be better and be better for the team. I think it's a good thing."
Offensive coordinator Walt Bell said Saturday's scrimmage was the best day Francois had this preseason in terms of taking care of the football and making few mistakes.
While Taggart says Francois is not "that far back" in learning the offense, Bell disagrees.
Bell said the pace of the operation and decision making, along with wrinkles like run-pass option plays and perimeter screens, make the offense tough to grasp. It's a free-flowing scheme that needs the quarterback to navigate some grey area while making decisions.
"Any time there's a lot gray in that, it takes a lot of repetition to master some of that, and he missed some of that. I think that's a big deal," Bell said of Francois. "He's staying healthy, and he looks good right now. But the more reps we can get him, the better he'll be."
As of now, Francois feels "fairly comfortable" with the offense. But there are still two more weeks of practice for him to battle with Blackman and Hockman.
Florida State hosts Virginia Tech at Doak Campbell Stadium on Sept. 3 to open the 2018 season.
"I think I got it. I'm ready to go," Francois said. "Sept. 3 is right around the corner, and I'm ready to play."
