The defending national champion Florida State Seminoles just received bad news. The 6' 4" sophomore wide receiver Isaiah Jones has been ruled academically ineligible for the 2014 college football season. Isaiah Jones only caught two passes last year, but was being looked at to carry the receiving load in 2014. Jones led the gold squad in the spring game with 81 yards receiving on five receptions. He was expected to be the answer to Kelvin Benjamin leaving early to go into the NFL.
The Seminoles are loaded with a deep riches of wide receivers, but Jones' loss will be felt. Jarred Haggins, Christian Green, Jesus Wilson, and track star Kermit Whitfield will lead the veterans to fill his role. Travis Rudolph, Ermon Lane, and Ja'Vonn Harrison are a very talented freshman group coming in off their senior years of high school. Rashaad Greene did return and is the unquestioned leader of the wide receiver corps.
The Florida State Seminoles receivers need to be ready early. Their season kick starts opening night on August 30th in Arlington, Texas at the Dallas Cowboys' billion dollar stadium at 8 PM ET on ABC versus Oklahoma State. Normally, when a team is hit with a big loss like this in August, they have a couple of cup cakes to warm up on before a big test. Oklahoma State looks to be right at the top of the Big 12 race. VAVEL's college football poll has this game as #1 Florida State vs. #25 Oklahoma State.
Regardless what it is officially referred to as, this is not a neutral site. Oklahoma State is far closer to Arlington, Texas than Tallahassee, Florida and will be heavily supported by their fans and Big 12 fans in the Dallas area. Seminoles fans usually travel pretty well, but this will have the feeling of a road game for FSU. With the loss of the majority of the national champion backfield and two major receiving targets gone, Isaiah Jones was going to be utilized quite a bit. He will now have plenty of time to study while his teammates will take advantage of the extra playing time and prime time spot light all year long.