Thursday provides the stage for ACC Atlantic coaches and their player representatives to address the assembled media in Charlotte, North Carolina, and with it, one of Willie Taggart’s largest platforms to date. ACC Kickoff events actually commenced on Wednesday with coaches and players from the Coastal division, and on Thursday those from the Atlantic will assume the spotlight. While the schedule for this event always seems to be more a suggestion than a rule, the stated itinerary stipulates that events will run from 9:15 am through 4 pm, with Taggart, Cam Akers, and Brian Burns to address the collective media from 10-10:30 am, after which the trio will breakout to chat with various outlets. ACC Commissioner John Swofford set the tone by addressing the media and fielding questions: Be sure to check back here throughout the day, as we’ll provide updates on anything of note to come from or about the Seminoles. Willie Swaggart Coach Taggart one-upped the footwear of Dan Mullen Just realized @CoachTaggart got on the Louis. None of that tacky OTHER shi you’ve been seeing down in Alachua County. pic.twitter.com/JFqGfwyxZH — ➳ ➳ ➳ ➳ (@crystnadior) July 18, 2018 The players are also looking sharp. Cam Akers and Brian Burns Akers and Burns spoke for about 15 minutes. Akers said that there is more space, opportunity for big place, and more seams to break plays in the new offense. Akers said that he wants to get his 5.3 YPC up. “I did a lot of research on other backs, I have a lot more to do.” Akers said that his biggest improvement will come as a leader. Taggart wants him to be more vocal as a leader. Akers said that one thing he had to learn was that he can’t break a big play on every run. He said he learned this when Derwin James hit him in last year’s spring game. Burns spoke about the accountability Taggart has brought: “No excuses.” It’s a defense that allows you to play, and not have to think. Fast, physical, aggressive— Burns on the new defense. Burns said that the strength and conditioning program has been “amazing.” Burns: “We do lack experience, but I am confident that others will step up. I am excited to see what they will do.” More Burns, when asked why his sack total dropped off from 2016 to 2017: “My sophomore year, I was still going off athleticism, and it didn’t work. But during my sophomore season, I learned and matured. Watching film, taking care of my body, and that is why I flashed at the end of the season.” This was his reaction when he was asked if opposing OLs were starting to figure him out. He also had a good laugh at the idea that he’d been solved. Burns said that coach Taggart emphasizes legacy and tradition and buy-in every day. Burns also commented on Akers: “He’s a monster.” Willie Taggart Taggart is focused on not confusing his players, especially in Year 1. He wants his talented athletes to be able to focus on making plays and not overcomplicating the game they’ve placed since they were young. Taggart had great praise for how Clemson runs its program. He had met with Tigers’ OC Jeff Scott the year before he made a trip to meet Dabo Swinney in 2017, when Taggart was still the head coach of Oregon. “Yeah, everything about last year shocked me,” Taggart said of 2017 FSU. When asked of his vision for FSU, Taggart said he wants to win multiple championships in a first-class manner. “It’ll be faster than what we’ve been before, but we’re not trying to get 100 plays. We’re trying to create explosive plays. We’ll be faster when we want to. We won’t huddle, we will create explosive plays,” Taggart said about tempo. The emphasis is on using tempo to create explosive plays, not to get to a certain number of plays. After last year, Taggart “thought I’d get here and we’d have a bunch of turds. But we don’t.” Said there’s a bunch of great guys on the roster. Taggart spoke highly of the team’s behavior and class attendance. “This is the first time as a coach we have three guys who can play at the QB position,” Taggart said. He declined to say anything specific about any of the QBs. Various As first reported by The Nolecast in June, Deondre Francois has moved back into the player dorms. This was the preference of the coaching staff, per a source. Taggart also said Francois is at 100% health for camp. Willie Taggart says QB Deondre Francois has moved back on campus. Added Francois has done everything right this offseason — Kevin Keane (@KeaneTheDream) July 19, 2018 Cam Akers on Deondre Francois: “He’s around for everything. He’s shown us he really loves this team.” — A special place in Hale (@DavidHaleESPN) July 19, 2018 No one at FSU is going out of their way to trash the culture Jimbo had allowed to fester there, but man, it’s the subtext of so much of what’s being said. — A special place in Hale (@DavidHaleESPN) July 19, 2018 Full transcripts of everything said can be found here. Offseason workouts Good article by Wayne McGahee of the Tallahassee Democrat here. FSU went through summer workouts with new strength and conditioning coach Irele Oderinde at the helm, and he’s completely changed the way FSU goes about its workouts. It’s a fast workout with no downtime for the players to sit down or take a break. They’re constantly working or moving to the next area for the next workout until it’s over. Attendance for the workouts is mandatory, and this year, there’s actually a consequence for missing one. ”Everybody showed up,” FSU defensive end Brian Burns said. ”You can’t make any excuses. You either get there or you get there. You’ve only got one choice. If you don’t, this is not an option, but if you don’t, you’ve got a punishment and it’s nothing you want to be a part of, let me tell you that.” Arriving late for a 6 a.m. practice is also unacceptable, and the punishment for that is stiff. Players get put on “dawn patrol” where they’re required to push a 45-pound plate 20 yards across the field 20 times in a certain time limit. Akers actually laughed when asked if there were any punishments under the previous coaching staff. ”I love it,” Burns said Taggart on Francois More from the Democrat “He’s put forth this effort to change the narrative and change the perception of who he is,” Taggart said. ”Because he’s not that person. But perception is reality and he has to change that. He understands that. All of these incidents that happened are teaching moments and learning moments. And that’s the big thing for Deondre is that he learns from these mistakes and moves forward. If you don’t, then we’re wasting everybody’s time.”<doc-sep>CHARLOTTE — Top of the morning from the Queen City, where college football's talking season continues in earnest with the start of the annual ACC Kickoff. The two-day event, featuring the head coach and select players from all 14 ACC schools, begins later this morning with some words from Commissioner John Swofford. After that, I'll attempt to chase these story lines: * Clemson's version of the Fearsome Foursome — DT Christian Wilkins, DT Dexter Lawrence, DE Clelin Ferrell and DE Austin Bryant — defied 21st-century convention when all chose to remain in school. The decision by Ferrell, once a top-10 pick on Mel Kiper's big board, was especially stunning. Ferrell is joining Dabo Swinney here, and surely will get peppered with questions about his decision and the potential of the d-line, which could go down as one of the greatest in collegiate lore. The four combined for 25 sacks and 45 tackles for loss in 2017. * FSU's Willie Taggart will make his debut at this event, where he's certain to be asked repeatedly about his quarterback derby featuring incumbent James Blackman, 2016 starter Deondre Francois and redshirt freshman Bailey Hockman. Last we saw, Blackman and Hockman had pretty decent spring games. None of the QBs are accompanying Taggart here, but 1,000-yard rusher Cam Akers will appear with DE Brian Burns. * Speaking of QBs, Miami coach Mark Richt likely will be asked a lot about senior Malik Rosier, who led the 'Canes to a 10-0 start last season before fizzling down the stretch (especially in that 24-14 loss at Pitt). Rosier appeared to remain the No. 1 guy following spring practice, but heralded redshirt freshman N'Kosi Perry, former Jefferson High standout Cade Weldon and freshman Jarren Williams continue pushing him. Whomever wins the job has a supporting cast capable of leading UM to another Coastal Division crown. * Georgia Tech will command some of my attention, if for no other reason than their Game Two opponent (USF at Raymond James Stadium). Nine offensive starters return for the Yellow Jackets including second-year starting QB Taquon Marshall, who will be here. (Fact: During the Paul Johnson era, the second full year for a starting quarterback has resulted in a trip to the ACC title game.) * Will be interesting to hear what Louisville's Bobby Petrino has to say about 6-foot-4 sophomore Jawon Pass, the heir apparent to 2016 Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson. At 230 pounds, Pass might be inclined to try and pummel a would-be tackler instead of hurdling him (a la Jackson). * Syracuse QB (and Plant High alumnus) Rex Culpepper's triumph against testicular cancer could prevail as the most inspiring story line of the event. Culpepper, diagnosed in March, revealed in early June he's cancer-free after dozens of hours of chemotherapy. He won't be here, but Orange coach Dino Babers and fellow QB Eric Dungey could get emotional when speaking of their respective pupil and peer.<doc-sep>The 2018 ACC Football Kickoff begins on Wednesday at The Westin Charlotte in Charlotte, N.C. On Wednesday, the Coastal Division head coaches and two student-athletes from each institution will speak with the collected media. On Thursday, the Atlantic Division head coaches and two student-athletes from each institution will speak with the collected media. Wednesday will also include the Commissioner's Forum with Atlantic Coast Conference Commissioner John Swofford. That will go from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Coverage of those two days will be provided by ESPNU as well as WatchESPN. Here are the below links for each of those day: Commissioner’s Forum | Day 1 (Coastal) | Day 2 (Atlantic) An officiating forum, where old rules are reviewed and new rules are discussed, will begin at 5:15 p.m. on Wednesday as well. During the event voting for Preseason Order of Finish, Player of the Year and Preseason All-ACC Team will also occur. Voting is limited to those credentialed for ACC Football Kickoff. Voting concludes on Friday, July 20th. The Order of Finish and Preseason Player of the Year will be announced on Monday, July 23rd. The Preseason All-ACC team will be announced on Tuesday, July 24. Here are 10 topics that will likely be popular with regards to Florida State and their fellow schools at ACC Kickoff. Noles247.com will have extensive coverage from Charlotte, N.C. throughout the event.<doc-sep>
The 2018 ACC Football Kickoff begins on Wednesday at The Westin Charlotte in Charlotte, N.C. On Wednesday, the Coastal Division head coaches and two student-athletes from each institution will speak with the collected media. On Thursday, the Atlantic Division head coaches and two student-athletes from each institution will speak with the collected media. That includes Florida State head coach Willie Taggart, sophomore running back Cam Akers and junior defensive end Brian Burns. Here is FSU's specific schedule for Thursday: 8:30-9:00 ........Coach with Commissioner 9:00-9:15 ......Group Photo 9:15-9:45 ......ESPN GameDay 9:45-10:00 ....Break/Radio Row Available 10:00-10:30 ..Press Conference 10:30-10:45 ..Head Coach at ESPN Set 10:30-11:30 ..Breakouts 11:30-11:45 ..Break/Radio Row Available 11:45-12:15 ..ACCDN/Social 12:15-12:45 ..ACC Network 12:45-1:15 ....Lunch/ACC Network .....................Photos (players) 1:15-2:30 ......Radio Row 2:30-3:00 ......FOX RSN 3:00-3:30 ......ACC Marketing 3:30-4:00 ......CBS Here is a look at the student-athletes representing each school: Boston College: Tommy Sweeney, TE, Gr., Ramsey, N.J. Zach Allen, DE, Sr., New Canaan, Conn. Clemson: Mitch Hyatt, OT, Sr., Suwanee, Ga. Clelin Ferrell, DE, Jr., Richmond, Va. Duke: Daniel Jones, QB, Jr., Charlotte, N.C. Joe Giles-Harris, LB, Jr., Nyack, N.Y. Florida State: Cam Akers, RB, So., Clinton, Miss. Brian Burns, DE, Jr., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Georgia Tech: TaQuon Marshall, QB, Sr., Hamilton, Ga. Brant Mitchell, LB, Sr., Knoxville, Tenn. Louisville: Jaylen Smith, WR, Sr., Pascagoula, Miss. Jonathan Greenard, LB, Jr., Hiram, Ga. Miami: Ahmmon Richards, WR, Jr., Wellington, Fla. Jaquan Johnson, S, Sr., Miami, Fla. North Carolina: Anthony Ratliff-Williams, WR, Jr., Matthews, N.C. Aaron Crawford, DT, Jr., Ashburn, Va. NC State: Ryan Finley, QB, Gr., Phoenix, Ariz. Germaine Pratt, LB, Gr., High Point, N.C. Pitt: Alex Bookser, OT, Sr., Pittsburgh, Pa. Oluwaseun Idowu, LB, Sr., Wexford, Pa. Syracuse: Eric Dungey, QB, Sr., Lake Oswego, Ore. Chris Slayton, DT, Sr., University Park, Ill. Virginia: Olamide Zaccheaus, HB, Sr., Plainfield, N.J. Chris Peace, OLB, Sr., Newport News, Va. Virginia Tech: Josh Jackson, QB, So., Ann Arbor, Mich. Ricky Walker, DT, Sr., Hampton, Va. Wake Forest: Phil Haynes, OG, Sr., Raleigh, N.C. Willie Yarbary, DT, Sr., Augusta, Ga. Wednesday will also include the Commissioner's Forum with Atlantic Coast Conference Commissioner John Swofford. That will go from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Coverage of those two days will be provided by ESPNU as well as WatchESPN. Here are the below links for each of those day: Commissioner’s Forum | Day 1 (Coastal) | Day 2 (Atlantic) Here is the schedule for press conferences that will be broadcast. Coastal Division (Wednesday) 11:45-12:15 ..North Carolina 12:30-1:00 ....Georgia Tech 1:15-1:45 ......Virginia 2:00-2:30 ......Duke 2:45-3:15 ......Pitt 3:30-4:00 ......Virginia Tech 4:15-4:45 ......Miami Atlantic Division (Thursday) 9:15-9:45 ......Wake Forest 10:00-10:30 ..Florida State 10:45-11:15 ..Syracuse 11:30-Noon ...Louisville 12:45-1:15 ....NC State 1:30-2:00 ......Boston College 2:15-2:45 ......Clemson An officiating forum, where old rules are reviewed and new rules are discussed, will begin at 5:15 p.m. on Wednesday as well. During the event voting for Preseason Order of Finish, Player of the Year and Preseason All-ACC Team will also occur. Voting is limited to those credentialed for ACC Football Kickoff. Voting concludes on Friday, July 20th. The Order of Finish and Preseason Player of the Year will be announced on Monday, July 23rd. The Preseason All-ACC team will be announced on Tuesday, July 24. Noles247.com will have extensive coverage from Charlotte, N.C. throughout the event.