On The Bench: An FSU football podcast network

A lot happened this week for FSU. James Blackman weighed his options. FSU hired a new wide receivers coach. It offered a nearby prospect at a major position of need. And a schedule came out. The Noles247 Podcast goes over all of it in the latest episode.

FSU is taking a calculated risk in waiting until late in the recruiting process to host official visitors. The Seminoles are not expected to host official visitors this weekend, and will instead load up on OVs on the weekend of Jan. 25. This strategy has worked for Willie Taggart before...will it pay off as FSU looks to close out its 2019 class?

Florida State's quarterback situation has some stability, at least for now. But how long will that last? Deondre Francois is back in the fold for the spring semester, although that situation could be complicated. And FSU is pursuing Jalen Hurts now that he's in the transfer portal. The Noles247 Podcast goes over FSU's QB situation as well as a development with a current running back in the latest...

FSU's recruiting efforts took a hit when WR Arjei Henderson picked rival Florida over the Seminoles. What looked to be a layup for FSU seemingly backfired, at least for now. The miss further highlights a rough stretch on the recruiting trail for FSU, and opens up more questions about the direction of the program. Josh Newberg and Brendan Sonnone recap the recent uncertainty at FSU and go over coac...

Florida State looks to be exiting the Early Signing Period with significant work to do at key positions such as quarterback and offensive line. It was a rough couple days for FSU as QB Sam Howell flipped to UNC and OL William Putnam chose Clemson over the Seminoles in a tight race. The Noles247 Podcast takes a look at how the last few days transpired and where FSU goes from here as it tries to reb...

FSU's quarterback recruiting has become a focal point in recent days amid uncertainty from Sam Howell and reports on Justin Fields looking into a transfer. The Noles247 Podcast tries to make sense of what's going on at the position and provides the latest intel on FSU's OC search as well as recruiting updates heading into the early signing period.

FSU football is in the market for an offensive coordinator following the departure of Walt Bell. The staff at Noles247 gives you the latest info on the OC coaching search, the impact Bell's departure has on QB commit Sam Howell, and more.

It wasn't perfect, but it was pleasing optically. Florida State's 22-21 win over Boston College just looked right. Even though there were flaws on both sides of the ball, the Seminoles appeared engaged, enthusiastic and physical through four quarters of football. That's reason to be excited as FSU enters its regular-season finale against Florida.

Another week, another blowout loss for Florida State. The Seminoles continue a downward spiral, raising concerns about the general direction of this program. What exactly is FSU and coach Willie Taggart doing to build something positive for the future?

FSU suffered its second straight double-digit loss, this time to N.C. State. What can Willie Taggart reasonably do, if anything, to fix the team this year? Is it time to start building for the future?

Intel on FSU's weekend of big-time visitors, including Evan Neal, Kardell Thomas, Quavaris Crouch and others.

FSU coach Willie Taggart feels like some players quit in the Seminoles' 59-10 loss to Clemson. Did he send the right message in subsequent days after reviewing the game, or did he miss the mark? The Noles247 podcast takes a macro look at the state of FSU's program in the latest episode.

Florida State put together its best showing of the season against Wake Forest, and the Seminoles just hosted an official visit for one of the top players on their recruiting board. The Noles247 Podcast does a real-time reaction to the Will Putnam official visit as well as recaps the complete and decisive victory over the Demon Deacons.

A special guest joins the Noles247 Podcast for this week’s episode...the one and only Josh Newberg. Newberg hops on the show to talk Florida State recruiting, quarterback play, fixing the offensive line and more with Chris Nee and Brendan Sonnone. With FSU coming off a bye week, the conversation in this episode largely focuses on building for the future.

Is it possible to be both pleased with the progress Florida State showed against Miami and frustrated with the team’s inability to to close out a 20-point lead? The Noles247 Podcast goes over the heartbreaker and how FSU responds as it enters the midway point of Year 1 under Willie Taggart.

FSU, somehow, found a way to beat Louisville. It wasn't a clean game by any stretch, but the Seminoles made enough big plays in key moments to come up with a 28-24 victory. The Noles247 Podcast recaps how FSU came away with the win, what is encouraging and what can be better moving forward

FSU football had its ups and downs, but beat NIU comfortably (37-19) on Saturday. The Noles247 Podcast takes a look at areas where FSU showed improvement, and where the Seminoles still have work to do moving forward.

FSU football is 'awful' right now, there's no way of spinning it. The Seminoles are coming off a 30-7 loss to Syracuse and the Noles247 Podcast takes a look at 1. What's going wrong and 2. If anything can be fixed to salvage this season.

Willie Taggart got his first win at Florida State. It wasn't pretty, as Taggart noted, but the Seminoles came back to beat Samford 36-26 on Saturday evening. FSU still has substantial flaws, some that appear fixable and others that seem helpless through two games. It's a tough team to figure out, which is what we try to accomplish during this episode of the Noles247 Podcast.

The Willie Taggart Era did not begin as planned. FSU well to Virginia Tech 24-3, looking hapless on offense. The Noles247 Podcast looks back at what went so very, very wrong. What areas can be fixed in-season? What issues are systemic? Did Willie Taggart misevaluate this roster? We take our best shot at giving some perspective to an awful loss in the latest episode.

Deondre Francois is FSU's starting quarterback. An official depth chart is out. And Virginia Tech is coming to Tallahassee. FSU's 2018 season begins on Monday. The Noles247 Podcast previews the season opener, goes over how Francois won the starting job, and gives you the scoop on what you need to know about FSU's depth chart. Plus, we give you a sample of one of the songs that commonly makes its w...

Florida State's commitment to recruiting elite players from the west coast will be evident in its season opener against Virginia Tech. California product Jaiden Woodbey could start at linebacker as a true freshman, while blue-chip recruit Kayvon Thibodeaux will watch on in-person while on an official visit. The Noles247 Podcast brings in 247 recruiting analyst Greg Biggins to lend some first-hand...

FSU's preseason camp is winding down. We take a last look at the main storylines and news to come out of the preseason, including one last breakdown on why we think Deondre Francois will be named the starting signal caller to open the 2018 season.

Recapping FSU's week at IMG Academy. And one last look at the drastic contrast from the beginning of Jimbo Fisher's tenure compared to the end, and how that applies to the Willie Taggart era.

FSU is a week into preseason camp. Noles247's Chris Nee and Brendan Sonnone share their observations on where each position stands so far and look ahead to what unknowns still remain this preseason.