TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Deondre Francois has been named Florida State's starting quarterback, coach Willie Taggart announced on Monday.

The junior beat out James Blackman and Bailey Hockman for the opportunity to start for the No. 19 Seminoles in the season opener against No. 20 Virginia Tech on Sept. 3.

Francois threw for 3,350 yards, 20 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 2016 when he was named the Atlantic Coast Conference's rookie of the year. He suffered a season-ending knee injury last year in the Seminoles' opener against Alabama.

Blackman stepped in to start after Francois' surgery. As a true freshman, Blackman threw for 2,230 yards, 19 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

Hockman took a redshirt in 2017, his first year on campus, and often ran the Seminoles' scout team.

More From Tide 100.9