3 things to know about Sean Maguire, FSU’s starting QB vs. Clemson
Jameis Winston is out Saturday. Here’s what you need to know about his replacement, Sean Maguire.
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Sean Maguire was the top-rated 2012 high school quarterback recruit in New Jersey, and earned offers from Alabama, Maryland, and NC State, among others. ESPN gave Maguire a four-star grade, though the other scouting services gave him three stars. All four services ranked him among the top 50 quarterback recruits nationally, an impressive accomplishment for a pro-style quarterback playing in a wing T high school offense.
In limited action as a redshirt freshman last season, he completed 13/21 for 116 yards and two touchdowns.
2. He can sling it.
Because his high school offense was so run-heavy, there were questions about Maguire’s arm. Those questions have largely been answered. Maguire has shown surprising arm strength and touch, as shown in his first career touchdown throw against Syracuse last season:
Florida State fans praised his spring game performance (15/28, 203 yards and a touchdown) for the same reasons.
I love what I saw of him in the Idaho game and the spring game. He looks confident in operating the offense, has a very nice arm and always appears to know the “why” as Jimbo would put it.
He completed 3/5 pass attempts against The Citadel last week, totaling 28 yards.
Maguire will have plenty of weapons at his disposal against Clemson Saturday night. While he might not have the pure talent of Jameis Winston, he should have no problem getting the ball to the guys who do.
3. That doesn’t mean he’s Jameis.
Winston averaged more than 10 yards per attempt during the 2013 season, and is approaching that average in 2014. Maguire nearly matched Winston’s completion percentage, but for just half of Winston’s yards per attempt average. Part of that is situational: Maguire’s appearances were in garbage time, when Florida State was not focused on throwing the ball deep.
But a good chunk of Winston’s absurd production was due to arm strength and ability as a running threat. Florida State loses some of that with Maguire, and may be forced to string together longer scoring drives if it’s going to beat Clemson Saturday night.
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