EJ Manuel remains confident in Florida State, Tate Rodemaker after Jordan Travis injury
Former Florida State quarterback EJ Manuel is still confident in the team around Tate Rodemaker as he takes over for the injured Jordan Travis.
Once Travis went down with a season ending injury, many immediately wrote off the Seminoles from making a run. Not so fast my friend. We’ve seen a guy named Cardale Jones do something similar with Ohio State back in 2014.
Manuel saw Rodemaker up close over the last couple of years and has a good feeling.
“I’m still confident in this football team because I know coach Norvell is going to put together a plan that’s going to suit Tate Rodemaker and sure it may not look like what they normally do with Jordan Travis because they’re two completely different players,” Manuel said on Sirius XM College Sports Radio.
“They have different styles but again, put the ball in the playmaker’s hands … sustain the drive. That’s when you can start opening things up. Once you see that one, he can handle the moment which I’ve seen him do before and two, you just unleashed them. You know, I think the worst thing you can do is doubt him at this point.”
In the 58-13 win over North Alabama, Rodemaker subbed in and finished 13-of-23 passing for 217 yards and two touchdowns.
“I was lucky enough to call some plays to spring game two (years ago),” Manuel said. “So this is like great insight for me because I genuinely called plays and (saw) how these guys operate. Not just watch them on tape, and my quarterback was Tate Rodemaker and I told him before he went out there and his drive, I said ‘Look bro, just I’m gonna take care of you with the play calls just be smart with the football …’
“Now granted, I’m not calling Mike Norvell stuff. I don’t have a whole playbook. Maybe a choice of 12 plays but either way I know that he can do this.”
As a member of the Class of 2020, Rodemaker was a three-star recruit out of Valdosta (Ga.) High, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 72 overall prospect in the state, the No. 48 quarterback in the class and the No. 682 overall prospect in the class.
“And I’m excited for him because you know it’s unfortunate that this happened for Jordan Travis but look, God works in mysterious ways,” Manuel said. “Tate Rodemaker, I think he’s been preparing for this moment. And here you are now you got a chance to not only beat Florida, but also win a championship and then potentially go to a CFP. A lot riding on that, but he can also be a legend right here.”