Among Florida State safeties returning from injury, it’s Derwin James who has FSU fans most excited. FSU’s most versatile defender as a freshman in 2015, James played in just two games in 2016 before succumbing to a season-ending knee injury.
James however, isn’t the only safety who will make a return to the lineup after a season-ending injury. The other is redshirt senior Nate Andrews.
Andrews doesn’t possess the raw talent, athleticism or versatility that James does. In fact, throughout the course of Andrews’ career, his role in the secondary has seemed to steadily decrease.
Andrews however, has something that no one else on the team really does. That’s championship experience.
Andrews isn’t the only holdover from the FSU roster that won the national championship in 2013, but he is the only holdover who contributed to that team. Injuries to Tyler Hunter and Terrence Brooks forced Andrews into action as a true freshman in 2013. Andrews led the Seminoles that season with four interceptions and topped the team again as a sophomore in 2014 with three.
After recording 25 tackles, including three for loss, and a forced fumble in 2015, Andrews appeared in just four games last season before suffering a season-ending pectoral tear. Andrews has been granted a medical redshirt and will look to stay healthy as a redshirt senior, following a campaign where he recorded just 18 tackles and an interception.
While Andrews has certainly been productive throughout his FSU career with eight interceptions, the safety position that includes James, Trey Marshall and Ermon Lane is a crowded one. It’s completely possible that Andrews will have yet another productive season, but the experience he brings to the locker room will be invaluable.
After five straight wins to close 2016 capped with an Orange Bowl victory over Michigan, the Seminoles will head into 2017 probably ranked in the top 5 and with legitimate national title aspirations. Andrews knows what it takes to get there, having been through the rigors of not just one, but two title runs.
A 2-time ACC champion, Andrews was not only part of FSU’s 2013 national championship team, but he helped the 2014 squad reach the first-ever College Football Playoff. Andrews and FSU may have been handled in a 59-20 Rose Bowl loss to Oregon, but Andrews was responsible for forcing a Ducks’ turnover with a second quarter interception of Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota.
Having championship experience in your corner — or in this case, at safety — can only be a good thing as 2017 approaches. Andrews is also the only remaining player on the roster with a non-offensive touchdown to his name. As a matter of fact, he has two.
Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson
You must be logged in to post a comment Login