MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Former Florida State quarterback James Blackman has signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Miami Dolphins.
The South Bay native and ex-Glades Central Community High School star was not drafted, but he'll get a chance to compete for a roster spot in the NFL.
𝑨-𝑺𝑻𝑨𝑻𝑬 𝑴𝑨𝑫𝑬 𝑿 𝑵𝑭𝑳 𝑹𝑬𝑨𝑫𝒀
— Arkansas State Football (@AStateFB) April 30, 2023
OFF TO SOUTH BEACH🏖️
JAMES BLACKMAN TO THE @MiamiDolphins #WolvesUp x #ADifferentBreed pic.twitter.com/9rOC2oxloG
Blackman was thrust into the starting lineup for the Seminoles as a true freshman in 2017 after Deondre Francois suffered a season-ending injury in the opening game. He played in just four games while redshirting during the 2018 season after Francois reclaimed the starting job and was an on-again, off-again starter each of the next two seasons before transferring to Arkansas State in 2021.
As a two-year starter for the Red Wolves, Blackman threw for 3,815 yards with 25 total touchdowns and seven interceptions. He had a career-high 2,471 passing yards in his final year of eligibility last season.
![Arkansas State Red Wolves QB James Blackman in 2022](https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/0579aaf/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6000x3376+0+0/resize/1280x720!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fewscripps-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F3e%2F9b%2Fd5b0b47948dcbfde6784ad042d78%2Fap22255162394063.jpg)
Blackman was the starting quarterback for three different Florida State head coaches – Jimbo Fisher, who left after the 2017 season for Texas A&M; Willie Taggart, who was fired after a 9-12 record through 21 games; and Mike Norvell, who has led the Seminoles since 2020.
He finished his FSU career having thrown for 5,445 yards with 43 touchdowns and 26 interceptions.