The 2015 Florida State Seminoles football team, variously Florida State or FSU, represented Florida State University in the sport of

American football American football (referred to simply as football in the United States and Canada), also known as gridiron, is a team sport played by two teams of eleven players on a rectangular field with goalposts at each end. The offense, the team wi ...

during the 2015 NCAA Division I FBS college football season. Florida State competed in the

Football Bowl Subdivision The NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), formerly known as Division I-A, is the highest level of college football in the United States. The FBS consists of the largest schools in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). As ...

(FBS) of the

National Collegiate Athletic Association The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is a nonprofit organization that regulates student athletics among about 1,100 schools in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. It also organizes the athletic programs of colleges ...

(NCAA). The Seminoles were led by sixth-year head coach Jimbo Fisher and played their home games at

Bobby Bowden Field at Doak Campbell Stadium Doak S. Campbell Stadium (in full Bobby Bowden Field at Doak S. Campbell Stadium), popularly known as "Doak", is a football stadium on the campus of Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida. It is the home field of the Florida State Semino ...

Tallahassee, Florida Tallahassee ( ) is the capital city of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat and only incorporated municipality in Leon County. Tallahassee became the capital of Florida, then the Florida Territory, in 1824. In 2020, the populatio ...

. They were members of the Atlantic Coast Conference, playing in the Atlantic Division. It was the Seminoles' 24th season as a member of the ACC and its 11th in the ACC Atlantic Division. Florida State came into the season after a two-year run (

2013 File:2013 Events Collage V2.png, From left, clockwise: Edward Snowden becomes internationally famous for leaking classified NSA wiretapping information; Typhoon Haiyan kills over 6,000 in the Philippines and Southeast Asia; The Dhaka garment fa ...

and

2014 File:2014 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: Stocking up supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE) for the Western African Ebola virus epidemic; Citizens examining the ruins after the Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping; Bundles of wat ...

) in which the Seminoles won 27 games with a pair of ACC Championships, a BCS National Title, an appearance in the

College Football Playoff The College Football Playoff (CFP) is an annual postseason knockout invitational tournament to determine a national champion for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), the highest level ...

, a Heisman Trophy winner, and eighteen

NFL Draft The National Football League Draft, also called the NFL Draft or (officially) the Player Selection Meeting, is an annual event which serves as the league's most common source of player recruitment. Each team is given a position in the drafting o ...

selections. They finished the season 10–3, 6–2 in ACC play, to finish in second place in the Atlantic Division. They were invited to the

Peach Bowl The Peach Bowl is an annual college football bowl game played in Atlanta, Georgia since December 1968. Since 1997, it has been sponsored by Chick-fil-A and is officially known as the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. From 2006 to 2013, it was officially ...

where they lost to

Houston Houston (; ) is the most populous city in Texas, the most populous city in the Southern United States, the fourth-most populous city in the United States, and the sixth-most populous city in North America, with a population of 2,304,580 i ...

. Florida State seniors – Giorgio Newberry, Derrick Mitchell, Nile Lawrence-Stample, Reggie Northrup, Terrance Smith, Tyler Hunter, Javien Elliott, Keelin Smith, Lamarcus Brutus and Cason Beatty – ended their college careers with 49 wins over the course of four seasons, becoming the winningest class in school history.

Before the season

Previous season

Florida State ended the 2014 season with a 13–1 record (8–0 in ACC play), winning the conference championship and appearing in the playoff. They were led by Jimbo Fisher in his fifth year as head coach.

Returning

Offense

The Seminoles returned three starters on offense: *

Sean Maguire Sean Maguire (born 18 April 1976 in Ilford, London) is a British-American actor and singer, who rose to fame in 1988 when at the age of eleven he took on the role of "Tegs" Ratcliffe on the BBC children's drama ''Grange Hill'', in which he r ...

Dalvin Cook Dalvin James Cook (born August 10, 1995) is an American football running back for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Florida State, where he finished his career as the school's all-time lea ...

* Mario Pender * Travis Rudolph * Ermon Lane * Roderick Johnson * Ryan Hoefield * Freddie Stevenson *

Kermit Whitfield Levonte "Kermit" Whitfield (born October 8, 1993) is an American football wide receiver and return specialist who is a free agent. He played college football for the Florida State Seminoles. College career As a freshman in 2013, he led all N ...

* Jesus Wilson

Defense

The Seminoles returned seven starters on defense: * Nile Lawrence-Stample *

Jalen Ramsey Jalen Lattrel Ramsey (born October 24, 1994) is an American football cornerback for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Florida State and was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars fifth over ...

* Lorenzo Featherston * DeMarcus Walker * Matthew Thomas * Jacob Pugh * Nate Andrews *

Trey Marshall Trey Marshall (born February 13, 1996) is an American football safety who is currently a free agent. He played college football at Florida State. Early life and high school Marshall was born and raised in Lake City, Florida and attend Columbia H ...

* Derrick Mitchell * Reggie Northrup * Terrance Smith * Tyler Hunter * Chris Casher * Derrick Nnadi * Marquez White * Lamarcus Brutus

Special teams

The Seminoles returned two starters on special teams: *

Roberto Aguayo Roberto Jose Aguayo (born May 17, 1994) is an American football placekicker who is a free agent. He played college football at Florida State University, where he was the most accurate kicker in Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) history and third ...

* Cason Beatty

Departures

Offense

Jameis Winston Jameis Lanaed Winston ( ; born January 6, 1994) is an American football quarterback for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Florida State, where he became the youngest player to win the He ...

Rashad Greene Rashad Greene Sr. (born September 23, 1992) is a former American football wide receiver. He played college football at Florida State, and was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL Draft. Early years Greene at ...

Nick O'Leary Nicklaus O'Leary (born August 31, 1992) is a former American football tight end. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the sixth round of the 2015 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State. Early life O'Leary is one of five childre ...

Karlos Williams Karlos Jermell Williams Sr. (born May 4, 1993) is a former American football running back. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State. Early years Williams attend ...

* Christian Green * Josue Matias *

Cameron Erving Cameron Drew Erving (born August 23, 1992) is an American football offensive tackle for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). He was selected in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns. He played coll ...

* Tre' Jackson * Bobby Hart * Austin Barron

Defense

* Desmond Hollin * P. J. Williams * Mario Edwards Jr. *

Ronald Darby Ronald Darby (born January 2, 1994) is an American football cornerback for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Florida State and was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the second round of the 2015 ...

Eddie Goldman Eddie Goldman (born January 6, 1994) is an American football nose tackle for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Florida State and was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the second round of the ...

Transfers

Everett Golson Everett Demone Golson (born January 2, 1993) is a former American football quarterback. He previously played quarterback for Notre Dame from 2011 to the spring of 2015. Golson chose to transfer to Florida State after graduating from Notre Dame. ...

(from Notre Dame)

Offense

*Ruben Carter (to Toledo) *

John Franklin III John Franklin III (born September 21, 1994) is a German-born American football wide receiver for the Memphis Showboats of the United States Football League (USFL). He played college football for Florida State, Auburn and Florida Atlantic. He ...

(to East Mississippi CC/Auburn) *Isaiah Jones (to East Mississippi CC)

Defense

* E.J. Levenberry (to Connecticut)

Recruiting class

Calvin Brewton, George Campbell, Derwin James, De'Andre Johnson, Jacques Patrick, Da'Vante Phillips and Josh Sweat were early enrollees.

Coaching changes

After the 2014 season, defensive ends coach

Sal Sunseri Sal Sunseri (born August 1, 1959) is an American college and professional football coach who currently serves as the defensive tackles coach for the University of Colorado of the Pac-12 Conference. Sunseri played college football for the Univ ...

took a job with the Oakland Raiders. He was replaced by

University of Florida The University of Florida (Florida or UF) is a public land-grant research university in Gainesville, Florida. It is a senior member of the State University System of Florida, traces its origins to 1853, and has operated continuously on its ...

assistant Brad Lawing.

Spring game

Personnel

Coaching staff

Roster

Freshman quarterback De'Andre Johnson was dismissed from the team after being charged with a misdemeanor.

Depth chart

(Depth Chart Notations: Name, Year at FSU/total years of eligibility, Games started in 2014)

Media

Florida State football is broadcast on the Florida State University Seminoles Radio Network and the games are called by Gene Deckerhoff.

Statistics

Scores by quarter (all opponents)

Scores by quarter (ACC opponents)

Rankings

Season

Florida State was picked to finish second in the ACC Atlantic. Roberto Aguayo, Roderick Johnson, Jalen Ramsey, and Terrance Smith were named to the preseason All-ACC team.

Schedule

Game summaries

Texas State

South Florida

Boston College

Wake Forest

Miami (FL)

Louisville

Georgia Tech

Syracuse

Clemson

NC State

Chattanooga

Florida

Peach Bowl: Houston

Awards

Jacobs Blocking Trophy The Jacobs Blocking Trophy is the name of several similar annual college football awards bestowed by a conference upon their best blocker. The awards are named in honor of William P. Jacobs, founder and president of Presbyterian College from 1935 t ...

:: Roderick Johnson * Jim Brown Award ::

Watchlists

''Players'' *

Johnny Unitas Award The Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award is given annually in the United States to the nation's top upperclassmen quarterback in college football. Candidates are judged on accomplishments on the field as well as on their character, scholastic achievemen ...

Lott Trophy The Lott IMPACT Trophy is presented annually to the college football defensive IMPACT player of the year. IMPACT is an acronym for: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community, and Tenacity. The award purports to equally recognize th ...

Maxwell Award The Maxwell Award is presented annually to the college football player judged by a panel of sportscasters, sportswriters, and National Collegiate Athletic Association head coaches and the membership of the Maxwell Football Club to be the best al ...

::Everett Golson *

Bednarik Award The Chuck Bednarik Award is presented annually to the defensive player in college football as judged by the Maxwell Football Club to be the best in the United States. The award is named for Chuck Bednarik, a former college and professional Ameri ...

::Jalen Ramsey :: Terrance Smith *

Lou Groza Award The Lou Groza Award is presented annually to the top college football placekicker in the United States by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission. The award is named after former Ohio State Buckeyes and Cleveland Browns player Lou Groza. It has be ...

Outland Trophy The Outland Trophy is awarded to the best college football interior lineman in the United States as adjudged by the Football Writers Association of America. It is named after John H. Outland. One of only a few players ever to be named an All-Am ...

:: Roderick Johnson *

Nagurski Award The Bronko Nagurski Trophy has been awarded annually since 1993 to the collegiate American football defensive player adjudged by the membership of the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) to be the best in the National Collegiate Athl ...

::Jalen Ramsey ::Terrance Smith *

Jim Thorpe Award The Jim Thorpe Award, named in memory of multi-sport athlete Jim Thorpe, has been awarded to the top defensive back in college football since 1986. It is voted on by the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame. In 2017, the award became sponsored by Payco ...

::Jalen Ramsey *

Lombardi Award The Rotary Lombardi Award is an award for college football in the United States. Awarded by the Rotary Club of Houston, Texas annually to the college football player "who best embodies the values and spirit of NFL's legendary coach Vince Lomba ...

::Reggie Northrup ::Terrance Smith ::Roderick Johnson *

Butkus Award The Butkus Award, instituted in 1985 by the Downtown Athletic Club of Orlando, is given annually to the top linebackers at the high school, collegiate and professional levels of football. The award, named in honor of College Football Hall of Fame ...

::Reggie Northrup ::Terrance Smith *

Walter Camp Award The Walter Camp Player of the Year Award is given annually to the collegiate American football player of the year, as decided by a group of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I FBS head coaches and sports information directo ...

::Everett Golson *

Wuerffel Trophy The Wuerffel Trophy is an award given annually to the college football player "who best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement." The trophy, designed by W. Stanley Proctor and named in honor of former Univers ...

::Roberto Aguayo *

Doak Walker Award Since 1990 the Doak Walker Award honors the top running back in college football in the United States. It is named in honor of Doak Walker, a former running back who played for the SMU Mustangs from 1945 to 1949 and in the National Football Le ...

::Dalvin Cook *

Ray Guy Award The Ray Guy Award is presented annually to college football's most outstanding punter as adjudged by the Augusta Sports Council. The award is named after punter Ray Guy, an All-American for Southern Mississippi and an All-Pro in the National F ...

::Cason Beatty ''Coaches'' * Dodd Trophy :: Jimbo Fisher * Bear Bryant Award ::Jimbo Fisher ;Pre-season All-Americans *Roberto Aguayo (''Lindy's'', ''Athlon'', ''Phil Steele'', ''Sporting News'', ''CBS Sports'', ''ESPN'', ''Sports Illustrated'') *Jalen Ramsey (''Lindy's'', ''Athlon'', ''Phil Steele'', ''Sporting News'', ''Sports Illustrated'') *Dalvin Cook (''Athlon'') *Terrance Smith (''Phil Steele'')

Finalists

''Players'' * Burlsworth Trophy ::Javien Elliott ''Coaches'' *

Broyles Award The Broyles Award is an annual award given to honor the best assistant coach in college football. First awarded in 1996, it was named after former University of Arkansas men's athletic director Frank Broyles. The award is presented in Little R ...

:: Charles Kelly ;Quarterfinalists * Wuerffel Trophy ::Cason Beatty * Lott Trophy ::

;Semifinalists * Jim Thorpe Award ::Jalen Ramsey * Maxwell Award ::

* Bednarik Award ::Jalen Ramsey * Lou Groza Award ::

* Lott Trophy ::Jalen Ramsey * Doak Walker Award ::Dalvin Cook * Walter Camp Award ::Dalvin Cook

Honors

*ACC Player of the Week **

(offensive back) **

(offensive back) ** Roderick Johnson (offensive lineman) **

(defensive back) **

(Specialist) ** Terrance Smith (Linebacker) **

(defensive back) ** DeMarcus Walker (defensive lineman) **

(Receiver) **Jacob Pugh (Linebacker) ** Travis Rudolph (Receiver) **

Jacques Patrick Jacques Patrick (born January 7, 1997) is an American football running back for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Florida State Seminoles football, Florida State. College career After playin ...

(rookie) ** Derwin James (defensive back) **DeMarcus Walker (defensive lineman) In addition to conference honors, Dalvin Cook has been recognized by the

Walter Camp Foundation The Walter Camp Football Foundation (WCFF) is one of the organizations whose College Football All-America Team is recognized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. The organization also presents various awards. It is named in honor of foo ...

and the

Football Writers Association The Football Writers' Association (FWA) is an association of football journalists and correspondents writing for English newspapers and agencies. It presents the Footballer of the Year Award, the oldest and most distinguished award given in the d ...

All-ACC

All-Americans

Jalen Ramsey was named a consensus All-American.

All-Star games

NFL draft

The following players were selected in the

2016 NFL Draft The 2016 NFL Draft was the 81st annual meeting of National Football League (NFL) franchises to select newly eligible American football players. As in 2015 NFL Draft, 2015, the draft took place at the Auditorium Theatre and Grant Park (Chicago), ...

: The following players signed as undrafted free agents: Everett Golson joined the practice squad of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the

Canadian Football League The Canadian Football League (CFL; french: Ligue canadienne de football—LCF) is a professional sports league in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football. The league consists of nine teams, each located in a ci ...

References

Bibliography

2015 Florida State Seminoles Football Media Guide

External links

Season statistics
{{Florida State Seminoles football navbox

Florida State Florida State University (FSU) is a public university, public research university in Tallahassee, Florida. It is a senior member of the State University System of Florida. Founded in 1851, it is located on the oldest continuous site of higher e ...

Florida State Seminoles football seasons

Florida State Seminoles football The Florida State Seminoles football team represents Florida State University (variously Florida State or FSU) in the sport of American football. The Seminoles compete in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of the National Col ...