TALLAHASSEE — Florida State’s coaches won’t entertain the thoughts about emptying the bench against an FCS opponent. — they’re too competitive and don’t want to be disrespectful.

This is also a difficult discussion, considering the Seminoles lost to then-FCS program Jacksonville State in September 2021 on a last-play touchdown. Jacksonville State was on the rise and has since made the jump to FBS, but FSU’s opponent on Saturday is quite different.

East Texas A&M just made the jump to Division I, and the FCS level, in June. The Lions’ welcome was a 42-13 loss at SMU and now a matchup with the No. 14 Seminoles (1-0) on Saturday at noon (ACC Network). Respect is important, but FSU’s coaches and administrators map out the schedule years in advance and will pay East Texas A&M a guarantee of $450,000 for the game.

But they’re also paying for the opportunity to develop players, from the top of the depth chart to true freshmen. The best way for first- and second-year Seminoles to develop is via snaps on Saturdays.

Wide receiver Jayvan Boggs, a standout at Cocoa High, was on the field for 31 snaps in FSU’s 31-17 win over Alabama last week, a good starting point as he continues to learn the offense. Running back Ousmane Kromah also had a 14-yard run among his 10 snaps.

Micahi Danzy, an ACC champion in outdoor track in the 400 meters this spring and a receiver, had a 32-yard touchdown run and a 26-yard run against Alabama. Danzy has juggled two sports quite well, but it’s clear the staff is in love with more than just his speed.

“You saw his strength,” FSU coach Mike Norvell said. “You saw him running through some tackles, continuing to push forward. He’s going to be a fun player to watch. He’s making a big-time investment, as he transitions to receiver, but you see a lot of different ways we can get the ball to him. And he’s got some great guys around him to support him.”

It’s also imperative that FSU develops younger offensive linemen. Among those are true freshman Chavez Thompson of Cocoa, who is the backup to starting center Luke Petitbon.

Twins Mandrell and Darryll Desir, who are defensive linemen, also saw considerable playing time against Alabama. Mandrell Desir played 30 snaps, recording four tackles and three quarterback hurries. Darryll Desir was in on 13 snaps and had two quarterback hurries.

“If they continue to do what they’re supposed to do they’ll be freshmen All-Americans,” FSU defensive coordinator Tony White said. “(Mandrell) was relentless. He played with physicality, he played with twitch, he played with an attitude. A lot of guys play like that up there. But a freshman going up there, his welcome to college football is against Bama and he does that?

“The thing you love about them is they play the game so hard and aggressive and physical. And that’s going to get rewarded around here.”

https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/09/05/no-14-seminoles-know-not-to-take-fcs-teams-lightly/