The Daily Nole

FSU Preseason Position Breakdown: Defensive Line

Jeff Romance/FSU athletics

Despite losing two players early to the NFL Draft following the 2014 season, the defensive line was a strength for Florida State last season as the Seminoles ranked among the best scoring defenses in the country.

FSU was much-improved when it came to getting to the passer and was also stout against the run. With three starters returning up front, the Seminoles should have a chance to not only have one of the best defensive lines in the ACC, but perhaps in the country.

1. The Name to Know: DeMarcus Walker
After recording just one sack in each of his first two seasons on campus, DeMarcus Walker came through in a big way as a junior in 2015. Walker led the Seminoles with 10.5 sacks and 15.5 total tackles for loss to go along with a team-high 4 forced fumbles.

At nearly 280 pounds, Walker is seen more as a power-rusher, but is an excellent athlete. Walker’s combination of size and speed makes him tough to block and Walker can be used inside as well on obvious passing downs. After a slow start, Walker was unstoppable over the second half of 2015. In two years, Walker has gone from a player with one sack to arguably the face of the FSU defense.

2. Burning Question: Can FSU Develop Depth Up Front?
Opposite Walker at defensive end is athletic freak Josh Sweat, who is just a sophomore. The Seminoles should also be set on the interior with Derrick Nnadi and Demarcus Christmas, but Florida State does have real depth issues behind them.

The Seminoles only lose one starter up front in Nile Lawrence-Stample, but are replacing important depth pieces like Giorgio Newberry and Derrick Mitchell. On the inside, Keith Bryant, Fred Jones, Justin Shanks and Arthur Williams are each in at least their third season with the program, but none of the four have seen meaningful snaps for FSU.

With Rick Leonard moving to offense, Lorenzo Featherston suffering a career-ending injury and Chris Casher leaving the team, the Seminoles also have real depth questions at end. Jacob Pugh, a linebacker, will be used largely as a pass-rusher to spell Sweat, but for added depth, FSU may have to turn to newcomers like defensive ends Janarius Robinson and Brian Burns or defensive tackles Wally Aime and Cedric Wood.

3. Put Your Future Stock In: Brian Burns
A defensive end from South Florida, Brian Burns is a speed-rusher and a tremendous athlete. At only 220 pounds, Burns will need to add weight to play FSU’s “BUCK” position, but certainly has the capability to be a star early and throughout his career. With the weight issues, Burns could get a redshirt, be relegated to special teams or be used sparingly in 2016, but should be a contributor by 2017.

4. Other Names to Know: Darvin Taylor
While Florida State has some players who have been around the program that are hoping to break through up front, redshirt freshman Darvin Taylor is a player who could make the case for playing time. Taylor was a highly-sought defensive tackle out of the Virginia Beach area and might have more upside than Bryant, Jones or Williams. At 304 pounds, Taylor is naturally a defensive tackle, but might be light and athletic enough to fill in some at end.

5. Food for Thought
After recording just 17 sacks in 2014, Florida State nearly doubled that a season ago with 32 sacks. Of those, 24.5 or about 77 percent return. FSU ranked 33rd in the country in sacks after ranking 108th in 2014. That’s a 75-spot climb. Only Southern Mississippi and Kent State made bigger jumps last season.

All three of FSU’s losses last season came with the Seminoles recording two sacks or fewer. Walker’s jump from one sack in 2014 to 10.5 in 2015 is the largest jump from one season to another for any Seminole since Brandon Jenkins went from no sacks in 2009 to 13.5 in 2010.

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply