The Daily Nole

FSU Football: Jalen Wilkerson Switches to Defense

Mitch White/FSU athletics

Florida State’s tight end position may have become a little less crowded and the defensive line may have received some much-needed depth.

Reporters confirmed at the opening of fall camp Tuesday that redshirt freshman Jalen Wilkerson had moved from the offensive to the defensive side of the ball. Wilkerson was rated a 4-star tight end recruit out of high school in Georgia by both Rivals and ESPN and was a 3-star, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.

Wilkerson isn’t the first player to move from one side of the ball to the other. Rick Leonard moved from defensive end to offensive tackle before spring practice while Chris Casher had moved from defensive end to tight end prior to leaving the program. Wilkerson is listed at 6-4 and just shy of 275 pounds.

What it means: The move for FSU fans can be seen as low-risk, high-reward. The Seminoles appear pretty set at the tight end position with redshirt sophomores Ryan Izzo and Mavin Saunders having great promise. Redshirt junior Jeremy Kerr has also been reliable as a blocker and incoming freshman Naseir Upshur has a bright future as a pass-catcher. The Seminoles’ defensive front should be one of the best in the country with DeMarcus Walker, Derrick Nnadi, Josh Sweat and Demarcus Christmas, but the guys sitting behind them on the depth chart outside of Jacob Pugh are largely unproven. If Wilkerson could contribute meaningful snaps as a defensive lineman, that would go a long way for FSU in 2016.

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