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Deondre Francois says he's staying at Florida State in 2019

Florida State QB Deondre Francois will be a senior in 2019. (AP Photo/Mark Wallheiser)
Florida State QB Deondre Francois will be a senior in 2019. (AP Photo/Mark Wallheiser)

Florida State quarterback Deondre Francois doesn’t appear to be going anywhere else in 2019.

A spokesperson for the team told the Tallahassee Democrat on Tuesday that Francois was still a member of the football team. That confirmation comes after an earlier report that Francois was enrolled in classes for the spring semester at Florida State.

On Wednesday, Francois put any speculation to rest with an Instagram post:

After thoughtful conversations with God and the people closest to me, I have decided to return to Florida State University. While my dream is play in the NFL, at this time I feel there are areas both within my game and within my life I need to improve upon to succeed at the next level. I don’t take for granted the privilege that is to where the Garnet and Gold. I love Florida State, my brothers and [know] I have so much more to offer. I intend to become the leader my teammates need me to be because we have some unfinished business to take care of. I am thankful for and humbled by the support of the Florida State family and the fans who stood by us during this tough season, but I also understand the standard to which this program is held and the work it requires to meet that standard. It’s time to go to work.

Francois’ decision to stay at Florida State comes after coach Willie Taggart said the QB was weighing his options ahead of the 2019 season. Francois is set to be a senior in 2019 and had previously denied a report that he was transferring from the school. He said that if he left Florida State he would be doing so for the NFL and not another school.

Francois is set to battle with James Blackman (again) to be Florida State’s starting quarterback in 2019. FSU could also pursue a graduate transfer. The Seminoles will have a new offensive system in the upcoming season after the addition of Houston offensive coordinator Kendal Briles to lead the offense.

Francois was 227-of-396 passing for 2,731 yards, 15 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 2018 as he received the bulk of the playing time. Blackman was the team’s starting quarterback for much of the 2017 season after Francois went down in Week 1 with a season-ending knee injury. Florida State missed a bowl game for the first time since 1981 with a 5-7 season in 2018.

2019 will also be the last chance for Francois to deliver on the promise that he showed during the 2016 season. Francois was 235-of-400 passing for 3,350 yards, 20 touchdowns and seven interceptions as Florida State finished the season 10-3 in what ended up being Jimbo Fisher’s penultimate season with the team before he went to Texas A&M.

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Nick Bromberg is a writer for Yahoo Sports.

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