James

Blackman

Blackman (6'5"/190) has been out since injuring his shoulder against Coastal Carolina on October 7th. In his absence, Layne Hatcher has played admirably in his absence, but it hasn’t resulted in any wins for the Red Wolves. It remains to be seen if Blackman will get the starting job back, as both he and Hatcher have the same TD:INT ratio. Blackman will hopefully be ready to go next Saturday against Louisiana-Monroe.

Blackman (6’5/190) had some good and bad moments in this game, unfortunately more bad than good. In the first half, he and Corey Rucker connected for two touchdowns, but he also threw two picks, allowing Georgia Southern to get their first turnovers of the season. The start to the second half would not be any better. On Arkansas State’s first possession, Blackman was sacked, then would throw his third interception, this time a 22-yard pick-six. After that, GA Southern would score two more touchdowns and Blackman would be benched for Layne Hatcher. We’ll see if it’s Blackman or Hatcher starting next week. Either way, they get the tough task of facing No. 16 Coast Carolina, not fun.

In a game that led off with big plays, Blackman (6’5/190) got in on the action when he threw a 39-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Dahu Green midway through the first quarter. Blackman connected with wide receiver Jeff Foreman in the third quarter for a seven yard score for his second and final touchdown of the day. Blackman had a much better showing in this game than he did in Week 3 against Washington, despite Arkansas State coming up short in the end. The Red Wolves (1-3) will look to end a three-game losing streak next weekend when they travel to Georgia Southern.

Despite a bad showing in Week 3 against Washington in a 52-3 loss, Blackman (6'5/190) will get a chance to redeem himself this weekend against Tulsa. Blackman completed just 16-of-38 passes for 176 yards in the loss to Washington, and has completed only 55.4% of his passes on the season. Through three games, he has thrown for 651 total yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions for the Red Wolves, whose record currently sits at 1-2. Blackman should be in a good position to rebound against Tulsa, who has allowed 29.3 points per game to opposing defenses, which ranks 100th in the nation.

Layne Hatcher didn’t play in this game until the fourth quarter, and he had a fumble that was returned for a touchdown and also threw an interception. He also should have had a 99-yard touchdown pass, but Te’Vailance Hunt dropped the best throw of his game. Blackman (6'5/190) should remain the starter next weekend against Tulsa.

Blackman (6'5/190) transferred in from Florida State in January and has been neck and neck with 2020 ASU co-starter Layne Hatcher from spring practice throughout training camp. Blackman struggled to keep hold of the FSU job, but he was never an outright bad player. Over the years, the Seminole signal caller maintained over 7.5 yards per attempt while cashing in 43 passing touchdowns to 26 interceptions. If he can cut down on the INTs at all, he should be a quality starter for Arkansas State at the G5 level.

Blackman was not the flashiest QB on the transfer market, but this is a nice get for Arkansas State. The 6-foot-5, 190-pound passer spent the past four years as an on and off starter for Florida State, starting as early as his true freshman season in 2017. Blackman struggled to keep hold of the job, but he was never an outright bad player. Over the years, Blackman maintained over 7.5 yards per attempt while cashing in 43 passing touchdowns to 26 interceptions. If Blackman can cut down on the INTs at all, he should be a quality starter for Arkansas State at the G5 level. Blackman will be eligible to play right away as a grad transfer.

Blackman (6'5/190) began the 2020 season as Florida State’s starting quarterback, but poor play ultimately led to his being benched. The redshirt junior ultimately opted out in mid-November, and the expectation was that he would enter the portal as a grad transfer. Blackman, who threw for 5,445 yards and 43 touchdowns with 26 interceptions as a Seminole, will have up to two seasons of eligibility remaining at his next school.

The writing was on the wall with this one, as Blackman (6'5/190) began the season as Florida State’s starter but was ultimately benched due to poor play. In four games the redshirt junior completed 43-of-76 passes, throwing for 366 yards and two touchdowns while being picked off three times. Blackman will look to move on to another program as a grad transfer for the 2021 season. The Seminoles are off this week, which gives HC Mike Norvell more time to figure out the quarterback position. Jordan Travis was injured during the first half of Saturday’s 41-17 loss to Pitt, with Blackman filling the void. But after the redshirt junior threw an interception he was replaced by Chubba Purdy, who took the remaining reps. Fellow freshman Tate Rodemaker started the win over Jacksonville State, so he’s an option to start as well. Florida State hosts Clemson on November 21.

Oh man was this a bad game for Travis (6'3/195), who was ultimately pulled in favor of former starter James Blackman to start the second half. The redshirt freshman was responsible for an 88-yard touchdown run, but that puts his total of 83 yards into perspective. Blackman didn’t last long either, as he was yanked for freshman Chubba Purdy after throwing an interception on his second pass of the game. Purdue was the most effective of the three but that isn’t saying much, as he finished the game having completed 11-of-18 passes for 106 yards and an interception. Saturday’s performance should make for an interesting week in Tallahassee, as the Seminoles are off next week before Clemson rolls into town November 21.