There’s always a lot of hyperbole used in sports when talking about great teams, great players and championships, but sometimes you’ve got to throw it out there. The 2013 Florida State Seminoles were not only the best team that season, going undefeated, winning the ACC Championship game over Duke 45-7 and then winning the BCS National title over Auburn 34-31, but they were probably the best college football team ever assembled.
They got the same trophy as every other team to win it and the players and coaches all got the same rings, but the starters on that team all got something special too. I’ll let Florida State’s own recruiting twitter page tell you the secret.
https://twitter.com/FSU_Recruiting/status/735818721281900544?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
That’s right. Every single offensive and defensive starter on that 2013 Florida State team is in the NFL today. Not only that, but two of them (quarterback Jameis Winston and running back Devonte Freeman) have already made it to their first Pro Bowl. Four of them were first round picks. Six starters on their defense were second round picks. It’s the kind of roster a college coach dreams of and Jimbo Fisher fielded most of the thing for three seasons.
Because here’s what you have to realize. This team was formed after 11 players were drafted in the 2013 draft. Fisher and his crew had to replace those 11 guys, with eight of them from the defensive side of the ball. That’s not even counting Robert Aguayo, the kicker, who will start for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this season and Cason Beatty, the punter, who got an invite to the Carolina Panthers’ camp.
This is what we do. #FSU pic.twitter.com/tcGwpZTfxe
— Bert Biffani (@CoachBertB) October 28, 2015
These aren’t just guys that are holding down roster spots either. Look at the wide receivers. Kelvin Benjamin was a budding star for the Carolina Panthers before tearing up his knee in the preseason. Rashad Greene was the Jacksonville Jaguars’ punt returner last season, scoring on a 73-yard touchdown return.
On the offensive line Cam Irving is slated to start for the Cleveland Browns at center this season. Josue Matias is the No. 2 right guard for the Tennessee Titans behind Chance Warmack. The New England Patriots drafted two of these guys, with Bryan Stork starting at center on their 2014 Super Bowl team. Tre Jackson is the No. 2 guard behind Jonathan Cooper. Bobby Hart is the No. 2 right tackle for the New York Giants.
We can now make it 10 out of 11 now in the NFL! AND THE WEEKENDS NOT OVER. #FSU = #NFLU pic.twitter.com/by2EDxGKZe
— Bert Biffani (@CoachBertB) April 29, 2016
In the backfield Freeman broke out as a star for the Atlanta Falcons last season. Last year he carried the ball 265 times for 1,056 yards and an NFL-leading 11 touchdowns. He caught 73 passes for 578 yards and three touchdowns.
Next to Freeman is Karlos Williams. He was a big part of the Buffalo Bills offense last season before he got hurt. He carried the ball 93 times for 517 yards and seven touchdowns. Williams caught 11 passes for 96 yards and two touchdowns.
At quarterback Winston was the NFL rookie of the year with the Buccaneers. Winston had the best rookie season for a quarterback in NFL history, completing 58.3 percent of his passes for 4,042 yards, 22 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.
Let’s start with the line on defense. Mario Edwards should start for the Oakland Raiders at right defensive end this season. He played in 14 games last season, had 42 tackles, two sacks, three forced fumbles and two passes defended. Eddie Goldman should start at nose tackle for the Chicago Bears. He played in 15 games last season, made 22 tackles and 4.5 sacks. Timmy Jernigan is the starter at right defensive end for the Baltimore Ravens. Last year he had 37 tackles and four sacks.
At linebacker you have maybe one of the best in the NFL coming out of this group with the Jacksonville Jaguars’ Telvin Smith. Smith has surpassed over 100 tackles in both his pro seasons. Last year he had 128 with 2.5 sacks, a pick return for a touchdown and seven passes defended. Christian Jones is a starter at inside linebacker for the Bears. Last year he had 86 tackles, one fumble recovery and four passes defended. Terrance Smith signed as an undrafted free agent with the Kansas City Chiefs this offseason and should make the team since they gave him a $15,000 signing bonus.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8fSWJpGvCA
At defensive back you’ve got first-round pick Jalen Smith with the Jags this season. Lamarcus Joyner missed last season with the then St. Louis Rams with an injury, but has locked down the nickle corner spot. P.J. Williams spent all last season on injured reserve with the New Orleans Saints but should compete for a starting job this year. Ronald Darby is part of one of the best defensive backfields in the league with the Buffalo Bills, starting at right corner.
I don’t see how there’s much of an argument. In accomplishment and ensuing NFL careers, this team will be hard to match. We can argue about it all day, but the proof is right there on NFL rosters. This was the best college football team ever fielded.
