By Kaila Burns-Heffner.

For the past couple of years, Florida State has dominated the ACC. From winning the Orange bowl in 2012, the BCS National Championship in 2013, and competing in the first-annual College Football Playoff in 2014. In between, the Seminoles won 29 straight games, which ended in the 2014 Rose Bowl to Oregon.

During this time, FSU has been mainly led by the 2013 Heisman Trophy winning quarterback, Jameis Winston, who was just selected as the number one overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft last Thursday. The departure of the school’s superstar will be tough to recover from, but the quarterback position is not the only area that will take a hit next year.

Overall, Florida State had 11 players drafted this year — the most in the country.

Including Winston, FSU had two first round picks, three second round picks, one in the third, one in the  fourth, two in the fifth round, one in the sixth and a seventh-round selection. With that, the Seminoles lost three starting offensive linemen, two defensive linemen, two cornerbacks, star wide receiver Rashad Greene, running back Karlos Williams, and one of the most productive tight ends in the school’s history in Nick O’Leary.

“We run an NFL system and they’re very equipped and adapted when they get there,’” said head coach Jimbo Fisher. “Look at the number of players drafted. I think we’re in the top two leagues in the country. I’ve said that the whole time. Number one thing when you’re talking about leagues is players (drafted),” Fisher said.

Redshirt junior Sean Maguire is expected to start at quarterback for the Seminoles, as he has the most game time experience. Maguire played sparingly in 2013 and 2014 with his only start being against Clemson after Winston was suspended for the entire game. Maguire completed 21 of 39 passes for 305 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions in that game.

In the 2015 spring game, Maguire completed 22 of 44 passes for 289 yards a touchdown and two interceptions, one of which was a pick six. Competing for Maguire’s position will be redshirt freshman J.J. Cosentino who completed 7 of 11 passes for 177 yards and a touchdown in the spring game and incoming freshman De’Andre Johnson who had 155 yards and two scores.

Florida State will also suffer from losing four of their five starting offensive linemen in combination with their best receiver. Replacing Greene will most likely be the rising sophomore Travis Rudolph who totaled 38 receptions for 555 yards and four touchdowns last season. Bobo Wilson will also have to step up to be a go-to receiver in 2015. He started in seven games of the 2014 season, which gives him the most experience out of the remaining receivers other than junior Kermit Whitfield who appeared in all 14 games.

Rising sophomore running back Dalvin Cook will be back at running back after having an extremely successful freshman season. He will be a vital part of FSU’s offense.

The tight end position will take a step back in 2015 after the departure of O’Leary and backup Kevin Haplea. Expected to step up are redshirt freshmen Ryan Izzo and Mavin Saunders and redshirt sophomore Jeremy Kerr. However, all three have been suffering from various injuries throughout the spring.

“I mean, I think we could be more talented. Now, what we have to do, we’re a talented young group, but at the same time what we have to do is make them football players,” said Fisher.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Seminoles have been dealing with more than just the loss of key players. Defensive ends coach Sal Sunseri left in the off-season to coach the linebackers for the Oakland Raiders. He has been replaced by Brad Lawing who has worked with both South Carolina and Florida.

Lawing is working on filling Mario Edwards’ defensive end position by rotating Chris Casher, DeMarcus Walker, Lorenzo Featherston and Josh Sweat. However, injuries plaguing Casher and Sweat over the spring have made Lawing’s job more difficult. Both Sweat and Casher should be back for the fall, but missing out on the spring season could cause a setback.

Starting senior linebacker Reggie Northrup also tore his ACL in the Rose Bowl and will not return to practice until the fall.

FSU has also been cross training and moving around players to replace star cornerbacks Ronald Darby and P.J. Williams. Sophomore Jalen Ramsey has moved to play corner alongside previous running back Ryan Green and former basketball player Marquez White. There is still a lot of uncertainty surrounding who will be starting at each defensive back position, and that is something that will have to be worked out during fall camp.

“I think we’re headed in the right direction. I think this summer is going to be very critical in their individual development and the things they work on and how they get things done and then going into fall camp. But I’ve said this; I like our football team. I think we have a chance to have another very successful football team,” said Fisher.

The Seminoles have an easy schedule early on and will not be truly put to the test until mid October. Clemson’s face-off with Florida State does not come until Nov. 7th in Death Valley.