Seminole Sunday Sauce — Aug. 4, 2024: FSU Football Picked to Repeat as ACC Champions
As Florida State football gets set to begin its season later this month, expectations are once again high. Earlier this week, the Seminoles were picked by the conference’s media to repeat as ACC champions.
FSU received 81 out of 170 first-place votes. Behind FSU was Clemson, Miami, NC State and Louisville.
The Seminoles won their first conference crown in nine years last season en route to a 13-1 finish. FSU will be rebuilding the roster, but still has lots of talent.
Offensive linemen Maurice Smith and Darius Washington were each named to the preseason All-ACC team along with defensive lineman Joshua Farmer and punter Alex Mastromanno. Washington and Farmer were also each named to the Outland Trophy watch list as one of the nation’s top interior lineman this week. Additionally, Farmer was also named to the watch list for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, which goes to the nation’s top defensive player.
Mastromanno was named to the Ray Guy Award watch list for the nation’s top punter after being selected as a finalist last year. Smith was placed on the Wuerffel Trophy watch list, which recognizes players who combine athletic achievement with community outreach. Kicker Ryan Fitzgerald was placed on the Lou Groza Award watch list.
This week, quarterback DJ Uiagalelei was named to the preseason watch list for the Maxwell Award, which annually goes to the nation’s top player. He’ll be part of an offense that includes running back Lawrance Toafili. Safety Shyheim Brown was named to the Jim Thorpe Award watch list as one of the nation’s top defensive backs.
FSU will enter the 2024 season having won 19 of its last 20 games and its last 17 regular season games. The Seminoles open the year in Dublin, Ireland against Georgia Tech on Aug. 24.
FOOTBALL
Record: 0-0
Ranking: N/A
Upcoming: vs. Georgia Tech (Aug. 24, Dublin, Ireland)
Recognitions: DJ Uiagalelei, QB (Maxwell Award watch list); Joshua Farmer, DL (Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list, Outland Trophy watch list, preseason All-ACC); Darius Washington, OL (Outland Trophy watch list, preseason All-ACC); Shyheim Brown, S (Jim Thorpe Award watch list); Maurice Smith, C (Wuerffel Trophy watch list, preseason All-ACC); Alex Mastromanno, P (preseason All-ACC, Ray Guy Award watch list); Ryan Fitzgerald, K (Lou Groza Award watch list)
Commitments: None
Decommitments: None
2025 Recruiting Class Rank: No. 17 nationally, third in ACC (13 total commitments)
Wrap-up: After a perfect regular season and a conference title, FSU has been picked to repeat as ACC champions.
Soccer
Record: 0-0
Ranking: N/A
Upcoming: at South Florida (Aug. 15)
Recognitions: None
Wrap-up: FSU will begin its title defense in less than two months.
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Recognitions: None
Commitments: None
Decommitments: None
2025 Recruiting Class Rank: No. 27 nationally, eighth in ACC (1 total commitment)
Wrap-up: Head coach Leonard Hamilton turns 76 on Sunday.
*Recruiting rankings according to the 247Sports Composite rankings
- Mike Ferguson is the lead writer for Double Fries No Slaw. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson. For all of his work, “Like” or “Follow” Mike on Facebook.
