For all the buzz surrounding Ronald Darby or the expectations for five-star recruits Mario Edwards Jr. and Eddie Goldman, the only freshman guaranteed a starting job for Florida State this year is punter Cason Beatty.
And while Beatty has largely been secluded with the other specialists throughout the bulk of fall camp, his role this season could be significant.
Beatty replaces All-American punter Shawn Powell, and he'll have his work cut out for him to live up to that lofty precedent.
Powell led the nation with a 47-yard average a year ago -- nearly five yards per punt better than the next closest competitor in the ACC.
Jimbo Fisher isn't exactly expecting those results in Year 1 for Beatty, but thus far he's been impressed with what he's seen.
"Very consistent," Fisher said. "Even the balls he doesn't just boom, they're still good quality misses, still 38-, 42-yard punts with good hang time where guys can cover."
Given the potential for Florida State's defense to be a dominant force this season, the extra field position gained by a quality punt could pay big dividends.
Powell offered consistency and quality a year ago, and the defense used that to flip field position and set the offense up for success on the next drive.
Now it's Beatty's turn to do the same, and Fisher believes the transition won't too dramatic. He's seen Beatty at work in practice, and he's thrown the freshman into the fire.
The results, Fisher said, have been impressive.
"We've been coming at him a bunch, and I've been extremely pleased with the way he's kicked the ball in practice," Fisher said. "We've put a lot of pressure on him. We've come at him a bunch trying to put the heat on him, putting him in some very duress situations. Now he's just got to go out and do it on Saturdays."
