FSU Football Fall Camp Preview: Defensive Ends
It won't be much longer until Florida State officially takes the field to kick off a title-chasing season. The Seminoles are building off a 10-3 (5-3 ACC) season which saw Mike Norvell's program win the Cheez-It Bowl over Oklahoma.
There's a solid foundation for the Seminoles to be building on in Tallahassee. There's some familiarity in town as the team is returning a boatload of top-tier talent from last season, and a winning culture has been set by both the coaching staff and players.
READ MORE: FSU Edge Jared Verse Draws Comparison to Four-Time Pro Bowler
Other Fall Camp Previews:
At the Surface
— Jared Verse, Redshirt Junior
Verse played his first season with the Seminoles in 2022 as a transfer. He quickly made a name for himself, picking up 48 total tackles, with 22 of those tackles being solo. More importantly, he had 17 tackles for loss and nine sacks on the season. Verse will be a key piece when it comes to any success in Tallahassee this season and is expected to be drafted early in the 2024 NFL Draft.
— Patrick Payton, Redshirt Sophomore
Coming off an ACC Rookie of the Year selection, Payton is primed for a big season starting at the defensive end position alongside Verse. The redshirt sophomore totaled 31 tackles last season, six tackles for loss and brought down opposing quarterbacks on six different occasions. While his production is expected to increase, Payton should be able to step up to the challenge and build off an impressive first season.
— Gilber Edmond, Redshirt Junior
Edmond followed the footsteps of tight end Jaheim Bell as former South Carolina Gamecocks transferring to Florida State this past offseason. The former Gamecock appeared in 16 games with South Carolina, tallying 44 total tackles, nine tackles for loss, and two sacks prior to his transfer. Edmond will provide a training camp challenge for Payton, though he's more likely to back up Verse on the right side.
— Byron Turner Jr., Redshirt Sophomore
This season could prove to be huge for Turner. There's solid competition in camp for the redshirt sophomore, and he can prove his future value. With three total tackles in eight appearances last season, Turner will get the opportunity to show his value as a backup with the Seminoles at training camp.
— Jaden Jones, Redshirt Sophomore
Jones is a JUCO transfer that plays defensive end. Sound familiar? The redshirt sophomore will have the opportunity to earn reps this season as he tries to reach his vast potential. It's to be noted that Jones is coming off an ACL injury and was limited during the spring, so this season will be plenty of getting back to form and showing what he can produce when eventually given a bigger role with the Seminoles.
— Lamont Green Jr., True Freshman
Son of former Florida State star Lamont Green Sr., Green has been committed to the Seminoles for all of his life. Coming in as a freshman, Green might be able to find a role early in his career. There's a chance he could turn into a star in Tallahassee, so taking training camp to compete and learn from the already deep defensive end room will benefit Green.
— Aaron Hester, Redshirt Freshman
Hester, while redshirting during last season, was inactive during this past spring camp. As a young, developing player, this hurt Hester. For him, training camp will be making up for lost time as he works his way back into the mic. Hester already wasn't likely in the rotation for the 2023 season, and he would need an incredible training camp for anything to change.
Biggest Question Mark?
What impact can Gilbert Edmond make?
Florida State's defensive end depth took a hit following Derrick McLendon's departure, but incoming transfer Edmond has a chance to make up for it.
Payton has earned his way to likely being the second starting defensive end for the Seminoles after being named the ACC's Defensive Rookie of the Year, but Edmond is talented enough to be a starter and will have a key role in the rotation of the defensive ends.
The defensive end is one of the strongest position groups the Seminoles offer led by Verse, who is an NFL prospect. The rest of the position group will have to match Verse's effort, and Edmond can ensure the Seminoles always have a defensive end putting solid pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
Projected Two-Deep Depth Chart
Defensive End:
1. Jared Verse, RS Jr.
2. Gilber Edmond, RS Jr.
3. Jaden Jones, RS So.
Defensive End:
1. Patrick Payton, RS So.
2. Byron Turner Jr., RS So.
3. Lamont Green Jr., Fr.
Follow the Leader
There's no secret as to who will be leading the defensive end group for the Seminoles ahead of the 2023 college football season. Verse, a potential first-round pick in the NFL draft, is following up a breakout season with the team and will be playing his second season in Tallahassee.
Verse is the defensive end with the most experience at Florida State in the position group. Edmond is also a redshirt junior, but he has spent each of his three college football seasons in South Carolina and didn't play a sizable role for the Gamecocks until last year.
If the defensive end group wants to continue to make a key impact for the defense, following their star seems to be the right way to go, and Verse will be able to leave a lasting impact on the young position group.
Fall Camp Outlook
While the rotation's writing is on the wall, anything can change with fall camp. Different guys will stand out after strong summers, and the young guys will be fighting when it comes to getting into the rotation.
Verse has obviously secured a starting spot, but Payton is going to have to fight to keep the right as the potential starter. Edmond provides a good challenge in this aspect.
Green and Hester will be looking to prove themselves as they are both freshmen, albeit the latter has redshirted. Green will look to make an impact on the season, whereas Hester is going to be re-establishing himself as a young prospect.
The defensive end position group has the makings to keep trending in the right direction after a strong showing last season despite a challenge as Payton and Edmond try to replace what McLendon brought to the table.
READ MORE: Who Will Be The Next Recruit To Commit To Florida State In July?
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