Warchant Top 40: TE Markeston Douglas leads FSU Football players No. 26-30
It’s time to look ahead to the 2023 Florida State football season with Warchant’s annual list of the Top 40 players on the Seminoles’ roster — the players we expect to make the biggest impact for FSU this fall. (Note: This is not necessarily the 40 most talented players, but the players we believe will have the opportunity and capability to make the biggest impact this season.)
The list was compiled through voting by Warchant’s Gene Williams, Ira Schoffel, Corey Clark, Jeff Cameron, Aslan Hajivandi and Tom Lang.
The Top 40 will be revealed in segments, continuing today with players No. 26 through No. 30.
Earlier Installments: Players No. 36-40 | Players No. 31-35 |
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No. 30 — Senior DB Jarrian Jones
Jarrian Jones was a bit of an afterthought heading into the 2022 season. And truthfully, he didn’t really make that much of an impact through the first half of the year as he split reps with other defensive backs. But the former Mississippi State transfer really shined down the stretch for the Seminoles’ defense, becoming an invaluable member of the secondary as they closed on a six-game winning streak.
Jones started 10 of 12 games last season and received the Most Improved award on the FSU defense. The 6-foot, 190-pound veteran should be a pivotal piece for coordinator Adam Fuller’s defensive backfield in 2023. Jones had an interception against Florida in 2022, and he also added four pass breakups on the season.
While his starting role might be in question this fall following the addition of All-ACC Virginia transfer Fentrell Cypress, Jones figures to be on the field a lot for the Seminoles. He can play cornerback or nickelback and possibly even safety.
Individual rankings — Gene (33), Ira (22), Corey (26), Jeff (35), Aslan (23), Tom (32).
No. 28 (Tie) — Redshirt freshman RB Rodney Hill
There’s no doubting Rodney Hill has the ability to make an impact for the Seminoles in 2023. The redshirt freshman is coming off a true freshman campaign in which he rushed for 144 yards and a touchdown on 27 carries. He showed flashes of potential every time he got into a game.
But there’s a whole bunch of competition at his position as well. Obviously, veterans Trey Benson and Lawrance Toafili figure to be ahead of Hill on the FSU depth chart heading into 2023, and Penn State transfer Caziah Holmes is in the mix as well. So, there won’t be a ton of carries to go around if everyone stays healthy.
Hill has an explosiveness, though, and a burst that could make it hard for Mike Norvell and Alex Atkins to keep him off the field for long stretches. Even if he averages just six to eight touches per game in 2023, that could be enough for him to have a real impact in his second season.
Individual rankings — Gene (21), Ira (35), Corey (38), Jeff (24), Aslan (17), Tom (31).
No. 28 (Tie) — Junior WR Kentron Poitier
With other receivers limited and transfer Keon Coleman not yet on the roster, there was no doubt who the most impressive wideout of the spring was for Florida State. Poitier was consistently good throughout the spring and there were more than a few practices where he could be described as dominant. Now, he’ll be trying to join a starting lineup that could feature one of the best 1-2 receiver combos in the country in Coleman and Johnny Wilson.
Poitier had just 14 catches as a redshirt sophomore in 2022, but he made those receptions count. He had 283 yards — over 20 yards per catch — and four touchdowns on the season. At 6-foot-3, 205 pounds, he has the requisite size to be a productive outside receiver at this level. And now, after a decent sophomore season and a great spring, he should have the confidence to be even more than that.
It’s just a matter of how much he can carry that spring into the actual season and how much he’s on the field with guys like Wilson and Coleman on the roster.
Individual rankings — Gene (25), Ira (24), Corey (27), Jeff (27), Aslan (33), Tom (30).
No. 27 — Freshman WR Vandrevius Jacobs
Other than Poitier, Jacobs was probably the best receiver in the spring for FSU. The eye-opening aspect of that, and why he’s on this list, is because it’s not normal for true freshmen to look that good this early in their careers. Jacobs only figures to get better, stronger and faster as he develops in the Florida State program.
He’s got decent size at 6-feet, 170 pounds, and he’s got exceptional speed. He caught 149 passes for 2,320 yards and 31 touchdowns in two seasons at Vero Beach High School. He caught 100 for 1,511 yards and 21 touchdowns in his senior season alone.
But still, it wasn’t like he was expected to make an immediate impact for Florida State as a true freshman. Jacobs wasn’t the most highly touted receiver that signed with the Seminoles in 2023, but he showed in the spring that he certainly seems like the one who will contribute the most this season. He also might play a role in the return game as well.
Individual rankings — Gene (28), Ira (27), Corey (36), Jeff (17), Aslan (31), Tom (25).
No. 26 — Junior TE Markeston Douglas
Nicknamed “Biscuit,” Douglas made the most of his playing time in 2022 as a backup for starter Camren McDonald. He caught 14 passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns, including a go-ahead score in the fourth quarter against Oklahoma in the bowl game.
Douglas won’t wow you with his speed, obviously, but he moves well for someone who is listed at 6-4 and 274 pounds. He’s proven to be a solid run-blocker at that size and earned the trust of his coaching staff throughout the 2022 season, seeing more and more time as the year went along.
With Florida State bringing in impressive South Carolina transfer Jaheim Bell, Douglas should be part of an excellent 1-2 punch at tight end.
Individual rankings — Gene (31), Ira (30), Corey (30), Jeff (22), Aslan (25), Tom (24).
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