JD PicKell reveals what adding Michigan State transfer Keon Coleman means for FSU

On3 imageby:Andrew Graham05/19/23

AndrewEdGraham

Florida State made one of the biggest splashes in the spring transfer window, landing former Michigan State wideout Keon Coleman. On3’s JD PicKell thinks the addition of Coleman might be what the Seminoles need to get over the hump and earn a College Football Playoff berth.

It’s not that Florida State needed Coleman to change the complexion of the offense or slide him into a starring role. He’s more the finishing piece on an offense that should be into 40 points-per-game territory, PicKell said.

“I really think for Florida State to accomplish what they want to accomplish — College Football Playoff berth, ACC title, all that — to get that done, I think they need to have a 5-to-10% uptick for what they’re doing offensively, from a points per game standpoint,” PicKell said.

Florida State finished No. 16 in the country in scoring offense in 2022, averaging a shade more than 36 points per game. PicKell sought to cut off any ire, acknowledging the offense was great — but not to the level of the four teams that made the College Football Playoff. Ohio State (44.2 ppg), Georgia (41.1), Michigan (40.4) and TCU (38.8) all finished in the Top 10 in scoring offense.

A 10% uptick in scoring, as prescribed by PicKell, would have Florida State sitting at 39.7 points per game.

Whether you’re applying percentage points or not, the idea remains the same: Coleman gives Florida State just a bit more juice and needed scoring pop.

“And that’s the real impact here with Keon Coleman,” PicKell said. “Because now you add another weapon. Another guy for Jordan Travis to spin the rock to. That opens the door, in my mind, to get to that 40 points a game range. I’m not saying Keon Coleman makes all the difference, but I don’t think he hurts your efforts.”

Coleman’s arrival at Florida State also accentuates a strength: The Seminoles pass catching corps. Particularly, their collective size is impressive.

If the Seminoles line up in 12 personnel (two receivers, two tight ends, one running back), the pass catchers could be the 6-foot-7 Johnny Wilson and the 6-foot-4 Coleman at the receiver spots, with the 6-foot-7 Kyle Morlock the 6-foot-3 Jaheim Bell lining up as the tight ends.

There just isn’t a college football team with personnel to match an average height of more than 6-foot-5 from a group of pass catchers.

“It’s just skyscrapers all across the field here for Florida State,” PicKell said.