Photo courtesy of Florida State athletics
Six weeks have passed since the 2021 football season began. Florida State has not had the record it was hoping for at this point.
FSU has endured a brutal start to the year, including a historic program-first loss to an FCS opponent. However, the hopeful Seminoles have earned back-to-back wins to finish out the first half of the season and are healthy favorites to make it three straight against Massachusetts.
In both the lows and the highs, there are players that step up and make a difference.
Let’s take a look at Pro Football Focus’s top five performers on offense for FSU thus far. PFF enacts a 15-snap minimum per game for grades, so this list excludes players with less than 90 snaps.
5. Andrew Parchment, WR (63.6)
In a season where the receivers have struggled mightily, it’s surprising to see a wideout near the top of this list. Head coach Mike Norvell knew the position was inexperienced, so he brought in Kansas transfer Andrew Parchment.
The senior transfer has only 10 catches on the year, but he has made the most of his receptions. He is averaging nearly 13 yards per reception, and has scored two of FSU’s 11 receiving touchdowns.
4. Dillan Gibbons, OL (65.1)
Another area that needed an instant upgrade in talent was FSU’s offensive line. Florida State poached Notre Dame’s elite offensive line depth in scout team lineman Dillan Gibbons.
The junior transfer has the highest pass-block and run-block grades on the offensive line, at 83.6 and 62.2, respectively.
3. Jashaun Corbin, RB (78.3)
Aside from Jordan Travis, Texas A&M transfer Jashaun Corbin has been arguably FSU’s most dependent weapon on offense.
The speedy back has scored a touchdown in four of his six games played, and is averaging a stellar 7.6 yards per carry. He’s ripped off touchdown runs of 89 and 75 yards on his way to 556 rushing yards. He’s added 15 catches for 63 yards through the air.
2. Jordan Travis, QB (81.3)
After appearing to lose his starting job to transfer quarterback McKenzie Milton at the beginning of the season, quarterback Jordan Travis has come roaring back.
The dual-threat redshirt sophomore has found a rhythm as he led FSU to back-to-back wins to close the first half of the schedule. He’s completed 64.4% of his 73 pass attempts for 513 yards with a 9-to-5 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Travis has also been a major player in the run game, averaging 81 yards and a touchdown per game in his three starts.
1. Treshaun Ward, RB (90.1)
A true feel-good story, former walk-on Treshaun Ward has been a force for the ‘Noles this season. Not only is he FSU’s highest-graded offensive player, the talented redshirt freshman is also the third-highest graded running back in the country.
Drawing comparisons to former FSU star Devonta Freeman, Ward is a patient back with exceptional balance and vision. He churns his legs, stays on his feet, and patiently waits for a hole to open.
His ball carrying skills have resulted in 7.4 yards per carry, chalking up 362 yards on the ground and two touchdowns. Ward has also been a contributor in the passing game, tallying 99 yards receiving and a touchdown on 13 grabs.