Around this time last year, Taiwan Easterling was in the very latter stages of a full recovery from a ruptured Achilles tendon.
This year, the wide receiver is 100-percent healthy. And now, officially a starter as well.
In notes distributed by the school following Thursday’s practice, head coach Jimbo Fisher revealed that Easterling has overtaken sophomore Rodney Smith on Florida State’s depth chart and is now the starter in two-receiver sets opposite Willie Haulstead, provided the latter continues to hold off last year’s second-leading receiver Bert Reed.
“He’s playing good ball,” Fisher said of the junior. “He’s a veteran. You can move him around to different spots and different positions. He’s doing a solid job.”
Earlier this month, presumptive starter Jamar Fortson was summarily dismissed from the football program for what was later reported to be several failed drug tests, clearing the way for Easterling and Smith to fight it out for Fortson’s vacated job.
Easterling’s 35 receptions and 442 receiving yards were both good for fourth on the team in 2009.