Editor’s Note: This is the 11th part of a 25-part series. Using our still-too-early Top 25, 247Sports is giving a post-National Signing Day and offseason outlook for college football’s top teams.

Florida State Spring Game: April 14

Nobody anticipated 2017 would be a transitional season for Florida State, yet here we are. A team with national championship expectations lost its starting quarterback Week 1, went into a freefall that ended in a 7-6 overall record and saw its title-winning head coach, Jimbo Fisher, bolt for another job.

It wasn’t any easy year in Tallahassee by any measure. But it’s also led to a revamping of a program in need of a jolt.

Willie Taggart came from Oregon, but he’s back home in Florida. Taggart brings with him both recruiting energy and a more modern offensive system. The Seminoles will look different in 2018. But, as this ranking indicates, the talent compiled during the Fisher era remains.

Brian Burns should be a force in '18.

Offseason Outlook

(Returning Starters: Offense – 8, Defense – 4)

New coach, same talent. Here’s to betting Florida State’s 2017 was more aberration than the new norm. After all, the Seminoles had won at least nine games each of the previous seven years.

Florida State should excel on offense in 2018, especially when you consider Taggart’s history of explosive attacks at Western Kentucky, South Florida and Oregon. Plus, Taggart’s never had offensive skill talent like he’ll have with the Seminoles.

Quarterback is the big question of the offseason, and we’ll cover that below. But there’s plenty to work with for whoever mans that position. Florida State will feature one of the best one-two running back combos in the country with Cam Akers (1,024 yards) and Jacques Patrick (748 yards). Akers, particularly, is a future superstar. Florida State will need to find depth at receiver to run Taggart’s system – look toward 2018 class members like Warren Thompson and Jordan Young to help in that role – but Nyqwan Murray (40 catches, 604 yards) is someone who you can build around. Ryan Izzo’s departure at tight end hurts, but Taggart will utilize the position much differently than Fisher. Tre’ McKitty will be an intriguing name to watch at tight end with his ability to split out. Four-star signee Camren McDonald could also work his way onto the field early on.

The offensive line returns almost entirely intact with the exception of right tackle Rick Leonard. The outgoing senior was FSU’s most consistent presence last year, so he’s not a small loss. But someone like Derrick Kelly, Jauan Williams or Abdul Bello could step into his spot. The good thing for Florida State is Taggart’s blocking schemes in his Gulf Coast offense are less dependent on elite offensive line play, focusing more on movement and getting skill players in space.

Defense is where the majority of questions are for FSU due to the team’s sheer number of departures and a likely system shift. But there’s also plenty of talent left behind to help with both concerns.

New defensive coordinator Harlon Barnett’s traditionally run an aggressive 4-2-5 of sorts with a one-gap look while asking the linebackers to flow downhill. It’s different than what the Seminoles did under Fisher, which was more of a read and react scheme. This is a bit simpler, and it’ll put FSU’s elite athletes in position to make plays.

In terms of traditional defensive roles, Florida State needs to replace all four of its starting linebackers from a year ago (Josh Sweat, Jacob Pugh, Ro’Derrick Hoskins, Matthew Thomas), corner Tarvarus McFadden and star safety Derwin James.

There’s no James replacement – players like James don’t come along that frequently – but the secondary is well stocked for success next season with players like Levonta Taylor, A.J. Westbrook and Stanford Samuels returning.

The front seven is where the Seminoles will need to supplant the most production. It helps that Brian Burns can be a pass-rushing threat at defensive end, and 2017 five-star Joshua Kaindoh should be able to plug in at end as well. The Seminoles aren’t short on talent or experience at defensive tackle. Expect players like Demarcus Christmas and Marvin Wilson to be standouts there. Linebacker is the biggest weakness on the Florida State roster. It’s been a deficiency for a few years now because of recruiting misses, and it’s left FSU a bit hamstrung. Still, there is talent. Dontavious Jackson is a downhill thumper who should be able to help in early downs, and there’s upperclassmen experience from Emmett Rice.

Offseason Storyline to Follow

Deondre Francois’ injury derailed Florida State’s 2017 season. His return creates a problem all programs would love to have: two starting-caliber quarterbacks.

True freshman James Blackman stepped in following Francois’ injury and played well. He threw for 2,230 yards, completed 58.2 percent of his passes and threw 19 touchdowns against 11 interceptions. Most importantly, Blackman improved as the season went on and the offense elevated with him.

His presence creates a question out of what once seemed the unquestionable with Francois on the roster: Who is Florida State’s starting QB? Francois will be back in a limited capacity this spring, which will start the competition early. But expect this starting QB competition to be waged through the summer and well into fall camp.

Both players have their advantages.

Francois is a dynamic passer and should be able to hit both the quick-strike and deep passes Taggart requires from his QBs. Blackman’s got an outstanding arm and is the more mobile of the two – big considering how much Taggart moves his QBs around. He also had accuracy issues a year ago last year with short and intermediate throws.

Florida State has a strong offense base heading into 2018. It just needs to find its unit’s leader. Both Francois and Blackman are good positions to be that person, and their competition will be the overriding story of the offseason.

Instant-Impact Addition

Tre’Shaun Harrison (WR): Really, any number of Florida State wide receivers could fit here. Taggart’s system is up-tempo and he cycles his receivers accordingly. That meant Florida State had to add depth at the position, and it did so by signing five 2018 class wide receivers. There’s really no telling which WR develops into a star at this point. But Harrison is the best bet to contribute next season.

The 6-foot-2, 190-pound Washington native was the first player Taggart offered when he arrived in Tallahassee for a reason. Harrison is remarkably quick in space. Couple that with his speed, and he’s ideal for both the shorter and longer routes used in Taggart’s system. Most importantly, he plays with great control and is already a solid route runner. He’ll be ready to contribute from the jump.

Previous Teams Ranked in 247Sports' Top 25 Countdown

No. 25: South Carolina

No. 24: Notre Dame

No. 23: Oregon

No. 22: USC

No. 21: Kansas State

No. 20: LSU

No. 19: UCF

No. 18: West Virginia

No. 17: Virginia Tech

No. 16: TCU