WINSTON SALEM, NC - NOVEMBER 09: A detailed view of a helmet of the Florida State Seminoles during their game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at BB&T Field on November 9, 2013 in Winston Salem, North Carolina. ( Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

FSU football knows it has a bonafide starter at quarterback with Deondre Fancois – but who will be the backup for D12 during the upcoming season? 

Over the course of the 2016 season, FSU football watched as redshirt freshman Deondre Francois came out of fall practice as the starting quarterback, beating out senior Sean Maguire along with several others.  While D12 took his share of hits and Maguire along with J.J. Cosentino got some snaps, Francois made it clear that he is going to be the starter as long as he is in Tallahassee. 

But, as any fan of the Seminoles could attest to during the previous season, those hits made you wonder what would happen if Francois could not get up full time from one.  With Maguire graduating, the Noles had to go out and get some insurance for at least one more season with D12 under center. 

If the decision was made by seniority, it would be the Pittsburgh native and redshirt junior Cosentino.  However, all of those who watched the Peach Bowl at the end of the 2015 season would rather the man from the Steel City not touch the field in a meaningful game during the rest of his time with the Noles. 

However, that leaves the backup spot being between one of three people – a redshirt freshman transfer in Jake Rizzo or true freshmen top 2017 recruits James Blackman or Bailey Hockman. 

With all due respect to Rizzo, a UCF transfer who won a state title at Fort Lauderdale’s St. Thomas Aquinas, it’s a two horse race between Blackman and Hockman.  A lefty from the state of Georgia, Hockman is thought to have a slight edge from some since he enrolled during spring ball.  Following a recent practice, head coach Jimbo Fisher commented that he likes what he is seeing from the newbie (h/t Tallahassee Democrat):

“Bailey’s doing a really good job,” Fisher said. “ Made some nice throws today, and yesterday at practice made some good throws… He doesn’t panic.  He’s exactly where he should be.” 

That doesn’t mean that Blackman, a top recruit from South Florida power Belle Glade Central, doesn’t have a chance to be No.  2, according to the head man:

“(He’s) picking things up,” Fisher said. “ Very knowledgeable.  Very natural.  Works at the game.  Stores information well.  Has good presence and command.  I think he’s doing a really nice job.” 

While Fisher – and quite frankly, every FSU football fan, would like to have the luxury of not worrying who the backup is, it’s going to be a question if the offensive line doesn’t improve their play from last season and keep Francois off the ground as much as he was during the previous campaign. 

With the success that Fisher has had at Auburn, LSU and FSU football among other places with the quarterback position, you have to believe that whether it is Blackman or Hockman, they are going to be ready to step in if need be.