Ponder the undisputed leader for Seminoles

Preseason camp will have a different feel for the Florida State football team this year because of the quarterback position.

A year ago the talk of those practices was whether Drew Weatherford could hold off his younger competition. Christian Ponder, who took over that spot, enters this week's practices with a wide gap in experience over redshirt freshman E.J. Manuel, who also missed spring practice because of a finger injury.

But there are plenty of preseason contests elsewhere - even on the offensive line where all five starters return. Position coaches will say that all starting roles will be open when the team reports on Thursday and practices the next day.

On the offensive line, assistant coach Rick Trickett pointed to the competition at right tackle between Antwane Greenlee and 11-game starter Zebrie Sanders as well as the one with Brandon Davis and David Spurlock at right guard. Spurlock started eight games last season. The other returning starters are left tackle Andrew Datko, left guard Rodney Hudson and center Ryan McMahon.

"We're going to have some battles," Trickett said. "We've got some pretty good competition."

With a felony charge being dropped against Richard Goodman stemming from November's fight with members of a fraternity, his focus can be on football this week. Receiver Cameron Wade, also charged in the fight, has his case still going through the legal system.

Teammates, as well as the strength and conditioning staff, liked what they saw in the strength room and practice fields. Goodman sat out the 2009 season after breaking his fibula the year before. Goodman has worked on his quickness as well as getting stronger this summer. The latter is also important for assistant coach Lawrence Dawsey, who has made blocking a key for his receivers.

Goodman lifted 345 pounds in the bench press and had a 300-pound power clean, both considered good lifts for a receiver.

"He's really worked hard," FSU strength and conditioning coach Todd Stroud said. "He's done a fantastic job and this summer he really became one of our top leaders."

At running back, sophomore Jermaine Thomas was projected by Georgia Tech running back and 2008 ACC player of the year Jonathan Dwyer to be one of league's top running backs this season. The redshirt sophomore will be challenged by Ty Jones, Tavares Pressley as well as true freshmen Chris Thompson and Lonnie Pryor.

Most of the opportunity on the defensive side for true freshmen will probably be as backups or on special teams. Although cornerback is an especially hard place for a freshman to break in, Lowndes County (Ga.) graduate Greg Reid is thought to be talented enough to possibly make that happen. He quickly caught the attention of his new teammates this summer. Another freshman defensive back to impress, at least in terms of conditioning and how he did in strength and agility testing, is Rickards High graduate JaJuan Harley.

The preseason camp opens with field cornerback Ochuko Jenije being challenged by Dionte Allen, another young player who had an excellent summer workout program. Rover, the other open spot in the secondary, has Korey Mangum and Nick Moody.

Up front, FSU doesn't return a defensive end with any significant starting experience although Kevin McNeil started two games in 2006. Moses McCray and Justin Mincey are expected to engage in a good fight for the starting defensive tackle spot. Kendrick Stewart is No. 1 at nose tackle but veteran Budd Thacker is there as well as sophomore Everett Dawkins.

Dawkins weighs 265 pounds, 22 more than when he signed with FSU. He worked on his explosiveness and lower-body strength. He's improved his power clean from 310 pounds to 350 in a year.

"He's growing into a tackle, thank goodness," FSU coach Bobby Bowden said. "That's the kind of the guy we used to get that's pretty darn good but you haven't heard of. I like that kid. I think he can win for you."

Weakside linebacker Nigel Bradham, middle linebacker Kendall Smith and strongside linebacker Dekoda Watson report on the first-team defense. A big concern is finding a backup at middle linebacker where Vince Williams will miss the season because of a back injury. Aaron Gresham is a possibility there and also at fullback.

"Now it's a matter if Chuck (Amato, linebacker coach) afford to give him up," Bowden said. "If Chuck can ... we would probably want to move him to fullback."

Some positions may take a couple of games to settle. But FSU coaches and fans should have a good idea about their team when the Seminoles break out all-white uniforms for the first time at home. That will happen against South Florida on Sept. 26. The Bulls agreed to wear their home uniforms to allow FSU players to go all-white that night. FSU administrators officially announced on Tuesday they are making the South Florida game a "White Out" where fans are encouraged to wear white clothes to the stadium.