The Seminoles have been in all three phases of the preseason All-ACC team.
Florida State Seminoles offensive lineman Maurice Smith (53) gestures during the second half against the Florida Gators at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, November 25, 2023 [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]
Florida State offensive lineman Maurice Smith (53) gestures during the second half against the Florida Gators at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL, Saturday, November 25, 2023.
Florida State. football players were named to the preseason All-ACC team on Thursday following a media vote in attendance at last week’s ACC opener. Earlier this week, FSU was expected to successfully defend its ACC title as the preseason ACC champion.
Offensive tackle Darius Washington and center Maurice Smith were two of the top three players on the offensive line, with Washington leading with 93 votes and Smith earning 62. Defensive tackle Joshua Farmer received the most votes on the defensive line with 75. Alex Mastromanno was the preseason All-ACC punter with 81 votes.
Washington, a Pensacola native, has started 37 of the 47 games he has played in over the past five seasons, at center, left tackle and right tackle. He was a first-team All-ACC offensive lineman last season and was the ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week in FSU’s 39-17 win over Virginia Tech when running back Trey Benson rushed for 200 yards on just 11 carries, setting an FSU record with 18.2 yards per carry.
Behind Washington, Florida State leads the ACC in passing offense, total touchdowns, rushing touchdowns, yards per completion, fewest interceptions and fewest turnovers . Quarterback Jordan Travis was the ACC Player of the Year and led the ACC in passing efficiency, yards per pass attempt and fewest interceptions.
Smith started 41 of his 45 career appearances. The Miami senior is a two-time All-ACC team selection and last year was also on the All-ACC Academic team. He started all 12 games played in 2023, helping Florida State win its 16th ACC title after a 13-0 regular season. Smith stymied an FSU offense that led the conference in scoring, total touchdowns, rushing touchdowns, yards per completion, fewest interceptions and fewest turnovers while fielding the ACC Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year. Travis, who finished fifth in Heisman Trophy voting, led the ACC in passing efficiency, yards per attempt and fewest interceptions, while also breaking Florida State’s career records for total offense and tackles for loss.
Port St. Joe’s Farmer recorded 32 tackles, including 7.0 for loss with 5.0 sacks, two quarterback pressures, two pass breakups and one forced fumble in 13 starts in 2023. He was named FSU’s Most Improved Defensive Player last season.
Farmer recorded a career-high five tackles at Clemson, with 1.5 tackles for loss and 1.0 sack in FSU’s 31-24 overtime win. He added five tackles in the regular-season finale at Florida, a 24-15 win over FSU. As a redshirt freshman in 2022, Farmer had 15 tackles and 2.0 sacks, and led all ACC freshmen with 6.0 sacks.
Mastromanno, from Melbourne, Australia, was a second-team All-American in 2023, averaging 45.5 yards on 66 punts. The second-team all-ACC selection became Florida State’s first finalist for the Ray Guy Award, given to the nation’s top punter last season.
Behind Mastromanno, Florida State ranked third nationally in net punting average, with 26 punts inside the 20-yard line and just three touchdowns. Mastromanno’s 59-yard punt, the longest of the season, came against Clemson and Pitt, with two of his 19 punts going at least 50 yards. His four punts of over 50 yards against Clemson and Miami were also career highs.
Washington and Farmer are on the watch list for the Outland Trophy, awarded to the nation’s top interiors manager. Farmer was also named to the Nagurski Trophy watch list as the nation’s top defensive player, while Smith was recognized on the Wuerffel Trophy watch list for his community service efforts. The Ray Guy Award for the best punter in the country will be announced on Friday..
