Florida State football kicks off practice Monday, August 6 at 10:10 a.m, and in anticipation of that, head coach Willie Taggart, offensive coordinator Walt Bell and defensive coordinator Harlon Barnett all will be part of a pre-fall camp press conference today at 4 PM EST, the first official presser of the new season. With the Seminoles ranked No. 19 in the preseason Coaches Poll, there’s a nice level of buzz for a team that last year sputtered its way to a 7-6 season with a win in the Walk-On’s Independence Bowl. Though Barnett and Bell speaking extensively with the media for the first time since being hired is of importance, Taggart should still be the main draw, with questions on quarterbacks, expectations, Mickey Andrews and recruiting surely to come. Courteney Korosec from Tomahawk Nation will be providing live updates in the comments section below. Alternatively, you can watch the presser live on Seminoles.com.<doc-sep>TALLAHASSEE -- Florida State head coach Willie Taggart addressed the media on Sunday evening. Among the topics Taggart was asked about was the status of the 21 incoming players that the Seminoles are expected to have on their roster for the upcoming 2018 season that were a part of his first signing class. He made it known that when the Seminoles take the field for their first preseason practice on Monday morning that they will likely be without two players - for very different reasons. "Actually, two guys won't be here tomorrow," Taggart said. "One probably won't be here until towards the end part of the week. [Linebacker] Xavier Peters, he will be here towards the ending part of this week." Peters, who FSU views as an outside linebacker that can also provide help as a rush end, has been working to get his academics in order to receive clearance to join his fellow incoming recruits. He has taken online courses while also re-taking standardized tests in hopes of earning the necessary marks to allow him freshman eligibility. While he has completed those academic courses and such, his transcripts and other documents now must go through the process of being reviewed and approved by the necessary governing bodies to ensure him eligibility. Peters was the lone member of the class that wasn't on campus as of early-to-mid July. "[Wide receiver] Tre'Shaun Harrison will be here tomorrow evening," Taggart added. "He was here but he had to go back home for a family emergency. He will be back here tomorrow evening." Harrison is in good standing by all accounts and will hit the field the moment he returns to Tallahassee. He had already been working with his teammates throughout July in preparation for fall camp. Among the other 19 players, the other bit of good news from Taggart's comments is that defensive back Isaiah Bolden appears to be in the clear. Bolden has been at FSU throughout July, but was among those waiting for official clearance from all parties. Taggart's 2018 signing class was ranked No. 11 in the nation and No. 3 in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Taggart and his staff had to make a mad dash to the finish line to assemble the group, while working hard to address some immediate needs on the 2018 roster. The incoming group is led by talented defensive backs such as Jaiden Woodbey, who was an early enrollee, and a much-needed group of receivers that includes Harrison, Warren Thompson, Jordan Young and more. Beyond the incoming class, Taggart also confirmed that the Seminoles have had just one piece of attrition since the conclusion of spring practice. "I think we have one guy left, he's no longer with us anymore. But other than that, I can't think of anybody that's gone," Taggart said. "It's a good thing. Really good thing." Offensive tackle Josh Ball departed FSU. He recently shared that he will be attending Butler Community College in Kansas. The only other departure from the spring roster is oft-injured defensive end Delvin Purifoy. FSU takes to the field on Monday morning for their first preseason practice.<doc-sep>
TALLAHASSEE -- Florida State head coach Willie Taggart, as well as offensive coordinator Walt Bell and defensive coordinator Harlon Barnett, are set to speak with the media on Sunday, August 5th, starting at 4 p.m. The conversation will center around the start of preseason camp, which opens for the Seminoles on Monday morning. Taggart has been a regular voice about his program since he was hired in December. He most recently spoke at length about the Seminoles in late July at the Atlantic Coast Conference Kickoff. But for Bell and Barnett, Sunday's press conference will provide each with one of their first real opportunities to discuss the Seminoles since they were hired. Bell, who works hand-in-hand with Taggart on the offensive side of the ball, has a quarterback battle on his hands entering preseason camp. The Seminoles also have a deep stable of talented running backs, a young wide receiver corps where they are looking for breakout stars, a vastly different approach at tight end from the prior regime and an offensive line that is talented in the middle but in dire need of figuring out valuable options at the tackle spots. Barnett has been brought in to re-tool a FSU defense that had lost their edge. Barnett, working alongside the defensive staff, is implementing a new scheme that is expected to be fueled by an aggressive approach. The Seminoles are replacing a lot of talent on defense, but their depth is capable and it will be telling to see where Barnett believes they are at entering their month long preparation for the 2018 season and the Labor Day opener against Virginia Tech. Noles247.com will provide real-time, live updates in the comment section of this story. Live video is below: We will also have video of all three coaches speaking as well as in-depth coverage from the media session. Stay tuned to Noles247.com throughout preseason camp.