Football: 3 players from the offensive side of the ball have put their names into the transfer portal, per Noles 247. Although this does not mean that all 3 are definitely leaving/staying, it seems that they are weighing their options. A group of #FSU skill-position players could be looking to transfer— including a QB: https://t.co/PfdV17gxHu — Tomahawk Nation (@Tomahawknation) January 16, 2019 On Wednesday, Florida State’s full 2019 schedule was revealed. Bud Elliott analyzes the good, and the bad, of the schedule here. The latest episode of The Nolecast tackles player transfers, listener-submitted questions and a healthy dose of FSU basketball. Speaking of transfers, a grad-transfer quarterback that the Seminoles heavily pursued has decided to take his talents to the Big 12. “It’s time for me to start a new chapter in my story.”@JalenHurts makes his decision.https://t.co/rJnADwBCWq — The Players' Tribune (@PlayersTribune) January 16, 2019 January 14th was the final day to declare for the NFL Draft. We now know, officially, who will stay in school and who will go pro. A national media outlet has one of those recently-declared ’Noles going very high in the 1st round. The University of Miami has landed Ohio State transfer QB Tate Martell. right back like we never left... I’M A HURRICANE! pic.twitter.com/6Dh0gu4fxD — TATE MARTELL (@TheTateMartell) January 16, 2019 Recruiting: FSU will hold its Junior Day on the weekend of February 2nd. FSU JR Day on the final weekend. https://t.co/Ayk5r000cQ — Tomahawk Nation (@Tomahawknation) January 16, 2019 The ’Noles extended an offer to 4-star CB Jahvante Royal. Royal, a 2020 recruit, plays for St. Thomas Aquinas in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Blessed to receive an offer from Florida State University .#Tribe20 pic.twitter.com/HWQENhvH4r — Jahvante Royal (@J_royal3) January 17, 2019 Other Sports: The Florida State men’s basketball team lost its 4th game of the season on Monday night to the Pittsburgh Panthers. TN writer Michael Rogner goes inside the box score for that contest, while our own Jonathan Clodfelter gives you the full basketball breakdown. Unsurprisingly, that loss had a negative impact on FSU’s latest Bracketology projections.<doc-sep>TALLAHASSEE -- Florida State quarterback James Blackman has started the process of putting his name in the NCAA transfer portal, a source told Noles247. Blackman, a redshirt sophomore, started 12 games as a true freshman in 2017 following an injury to Deondre Francois. He also started one game this season in his first year under Willie Taggart, earning ACC quarterback of the week honors for his performance against N.C. State (431 yards and 4 touchdowns). He's expected to be a commodity once he enters the transfer market. The source told Noles247 that Blackman filed to enter the transfer portal on Wednesday, but it could take up to 48 hours for his name to show up in the portal. The transfer portal allows a player to explore his options at other programs by talking to coaches without penalty. It is essentially a database that lets other teams know that you are available to transfer. A player can always withdraw his name at any time as well. Entering your name does not mean you intend to transfer, but it does allow a player to test the waters and communicate with coaches from other programs. This does not mean Blackman is definitely leaving FSU, but it appears that he intends to explore his options. Blackman has been lauded by coaches and players alike for his professionalism, and has been called the 'ultimate teammate.' However, that respect has not translated into a definitive role for Blackman, and that could explain why he's open to hearing what other programs have to say. Francois took back his starting job the week Blackman started this season after sitting out with a concussion in the November contest against N.C. State, and Blackman did not take another snap in order to preserve his redshirt. But it became clear that FSU was unsure of how it wanted to use Blackman throughout the season, and that indecision about his standing as FSU's longterm option at QB has been reflected in the staff's search for possible options on the graduate transfer market. Blackman is currently one of three scholarship quarterbacks on FSU's roster. Francois, in a move that surprised some within the program, returned to FSU this semester after testing the NFL waters. FSU also has a transfer from Louisville, Jordan Travis, although it's unclear if he'll be able to qualify for a hardship waiver in order to become immediately eligible for the 2019 season. Blackman was a three-star prospect coming out of Glades Central High in Belle Glade (Fla.) The other quarterback who signed with FSU in the same class as Blackman, four-star recruit Bailey Hockman, transferred from FSU after Francois was named the starter at the end of preseason camp. Blackman passed for 2,230 yards and 19 touchdowns to 11 interceptions as a freshman (completing 58.2 percent of his throws), and was 33 of 51 for 510 yards and 5 touchdowns to 1 interceptions this season.<doc-sep>
Welcome to the era of the college football transfer portal. In case you’re behind, the transfer portal is a noncommittal purgatory of sorts, into which a player can privately enter to hear from other schools. He can then decide to either depart his current institution for one of those schools, or return. Florida State players have made themselves quite familiar with the process during this offseason, with another trio testing the waters today, per reports. First there was defensive end Xavier Peters, who entered the portal but decided to stay. Then there was running back Amir Rasul, who is apparently still listening to other programs. And today, a new trio of players have reportedly either entered the portal or are considering doing so, led by quarterback James Blackman, per Brendan Sonnone of Noles 247. Blackman’s name may not show up in the portal for another day or so, but the process of putting his name in the portal has started. Gives Blackman a chance to explore options at other programs, but he’ll also have option to take his name out of the portal and remain with FSU. — Brendan Sonnone (@BSonnone) January 16, 2019 Also flirting with the portal (god I hate that I just typed that): receiver George Campbell and tight end Naseir Upshur. Florida State WR George Campbell, a former five-star recruit & TE Naseir Upshur, a former four-star recruit have entered the transfer portal. — Cole Cubelic (@colecubelic) January 16, 2019 This is essentially college football’s version of unpaid free agency; don’t be surprised if dancing in and out of the transfer portal becomes more and more standard for players moving forward.