The ACC and Florida State alike suffered a great deal of attrition on both sides of the ball from 2017. While big things are expected of the Seminoles, FSU is replacing a pair of Consensus All-Americans in running back Dalvin Cook and defensive end DeMarcus Walker.
Walker and Marquez White were the only two notable losses for FSU on defense. Throughout the ACC however, studs like Cordrea Tankersley, Rayshawn Jenkins and Josh Jones are off to the NFL.
Unlike last year where offense dominated the conference, the ACC is expected to be a defense-heavy conference in 2017. In this piece, we’ll look at the leading returning player in the ACC for each major defensive statistical category and FSU’s leader in each.
The FSU ranking in parentheses will be the player’s rank among returning players and not in the ACC last season.
Tackling
Total Tackles: Micah Kiser, LB — Virginia (134)
Micah Kiser returns for Virginia after leading the ACC in total tackles a season ago. Kiser had 14 more than teammate Quin Blanding.
FSU Leader and ACC Rank: Matthew Thomas, LB (22nd)
Matthew Thomas led FSU in total tackles with 77 total, but is just 22nd among returning players. Thomas had struggled to stay on the field prior to last season.
Solo Tackles: Quin Blanding, S — Virginia and Jessie Bates, S — Wake Forest (70)
Two stellar safeties both finished with 70 tackles last season for their respective teams. It is worth noting that Blanding reached that number in one fewer game.
FSU Leader and ACC Rank: Matthew Thomas, LB (19th)
50 of Matthew Thomas’ 77 tackles last season for FSU were of the solo variety.
Sacks: Harold Landry, DE — Boston College (16.5)
The ACC’s leader in sacks last season, Harold Landry, returns for Boston College. Landry narrowly edged out FSU’s DeMarcus Walker for the national lead by half a sack.
FSU Leader and ACC Rank: Brian Burns (4th)
Despite being used mostly in pass-rushing situations, Brian Burns finished with 9.5 sacks a season ago, which was tops among all true freshmen in the country. In the ACC, only Landry, Wake Forest’s Duke Ejiofor and N.C. State’s Bradley Chubb had more among returning players.
Tackles for Loss: Harold Landry, DE — Boston College (22)
Not surprisingly, the nation’s sack leader is also the ACC’s returning leader when it comes to tackles for loss. Landry finished second in the conference last season behind Pittsburgh’s Ejuan Price.
FSU Leader and ACC Rank: Josh Sweat, DE
Though now junior Josh Sweat managed fewer sacks last year than Brian Burns, he is the top returning Seminole when it comes to tackles for loss with 11.5.
Forced Fumbles: Harold Landry, DE — Boston College (7)
Harold Landry led the ACC with seven forced fumbles last season which was two more than any other player in the conference.
FSU Leader and ACC Rank: Six (22nd)
While DeMarcus Walker led FSU with three forced fumbles last season, he’s off to the NFL. Six others finished with one. They are Matthew Thomas, Derrick Nnadi, Josh Sweat, Jacob Pugh, Brian Burns and Arthur Williams.
Pass Defense
Interceptions: Tarvarus McFadden, CB — Florida State (8)
In his first year as a starter, Tarvarus McFadden was tied for the national lead in interceptions with eight. That is tied for the second most in FSU history in a single season. Only Terrell Buckley had more with 12 in 1991.
Pass Break-ups: Lance Austin, CB — Georgia Tech (12)
Lance Austin may have finished with just three interceptions last season, but he led the ACC in pass break-ups with 12. Miami’s Corn Elder was tied for the lead.
FSU Leader and ACC Rank: Tarvarus McFadden, CB (14th)
Tarvarus McFadden caught most of the passes he got his hands on in 2016. McFadden finished with eight interceptions, but only six pass break-ups.
Passes Defended: Lance Austin, CB — Georgia Tech (15)
Austin also led the ACC in passes defended last season. He was tied for the lead with Clemson’s Cordrea Tankersley.
FSU Leader and ACC Rank: Tarvarus McFadden, CB (2nd)
McFadden finished with 14 passes defended in 2016. That ranked just one behind the conference’s two leaders.
Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson
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