True Freshman Lopez Faces New Challenges at Florida State

Overcoming adversity, facing challenges, and fighting for playing time is nothing new for a true freshman; but for Jasen Lopez, as week zero approaches, he’s battling for a starting role for the first time. Lopez has taken full advantage of fall camp, using the opportunity to make a name for himself while making it hard for Florida State’s coaching staff to pick the starting slot receiver. Lopez and Jayvan Boggs are competing for the starting slot receiver position. As a true freshman last season, Boggs recorded nine receptions for 103 yards and a touchdown as the starter. Mike Norvell was asked about the starting job during his Monday game-week press conference and alluded to the fact that a final decision has not yet been made. “I’d say he (Lopez) is in a great spot to be able to do that,” Norvell said. “Both those guys have done a really good job.” Fans and media will have to wait until the New Mexico game kicks off Saturday, Aug. 29, at 7 p.m. EST to find out who will earn the starting role. For the first time, Norvell will not be releasing a depth chart before kicks off. The players, however, have an idea of where they stand as practice continues heading into Saturday. “Guys know where they are,” Norvell said. “But the best player is going to play.” For Lopez, not being the starter is something he hasn’t had to deal with before. Lopez has been a standout since he arrived at Chaminade-Madonna in high school. And with Ourlads.com listing Boggs as the starter, Liam Rooney of the Naples Daily News calling him the “likely pick,” and Noles247 listing Boggs as the starter “for right now,” this may be the first time Lopez enters a season without a starting role. But with time left, Lopez can convince the coaching staff that he should be on the field when the Noles offense takes the field for the first time against New Mexico State. He is confident he can do so. "Since I stepped foot on campus, I was always ready. I’m ready to make plays," Lopez said. Lopez's confidence comes from making plays year after year.Lopez’s 70 catches, 1,275 yards and 13 touchdowns as a freshman in high school turned heads right away. In his high school career, Lopez finished with 313 catches, 5,211 yards and 59 touchdowns. He recorded at least 1,000 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns in all four of his high school seasons. In his junior season, Lopez helped lead the Chaminade-Madonna Lions to a 1A state championship. As a senior, he helped the Lions return to the championship game for a second straight year. Lopez was a four-star prospect coming out of high school, and the No. 224 overall ranked player nationally according to 247Sports. Rivals ranked him a few spots back at No. 234 nationally. As a receiver, 247Sports ranked Lopez No. 29 in the class, while Rivals ranked him at No. 31 receiver overall.  For Lopez, fall camp was about showing his talent could translate from high school to the college level and getting the coaching staff to think about who will get the chance to start. Now game week is about making up their minds and earning the starting opportunity. Regardless of whether he earns the starting job, Lopez, along with Boggs, will have chances to make plays for Florida State this season.