Projecting FSU Football's Spring Depth Chart On Defense In 2024
Florida State fielded one of the best defenses in the country in 2023 under defensive coordinator Adam Fuller. The unit was loaded with talented players such as Jared Verse, Braden Fiske, Fabien Lovett, Tatum Bethune, Kalen DeLoach, Renardo Green, Jarrian Jones, and Akeem Dent, all whom are among the standouts the Seminoles will be vying to replace this spring.
In total, FSU is losing ten members, including seven starters, from its defense that appeared on the depth chart that the program released for the ACC Championship. There is talent waiting in the wings along with a long list of newcomers that will have to step into big roles in Tallahassee.
These are our predictions for how Florida State's two-deep on defense will shake out during the spring.
Defensive End:
1. Patrick Payton, RS Jr.
2. Marvin Jones Jr., Jr.
3. Byron Turner Jr., RS Jr.
Payton is coming off a respectable campaign where he was named an All-ACC honorable mention after recording 44 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, seven sacks, two forced fumbles, and ten pass deflections. He's made improvements to his game in each of the last two seasons and there's no reason to think that Payton won't take another step forward.
Jones Jr. arrives at Florida State much less proven and the coaching staff is banking on the legacy transfer realizing the potential that made him five-star recruit. Like Payton, he's long and athletic. There's also hope that he'll have a resurgence with a move back to the traditional defensive end position rather than the outside linebacker role he was in at Georgia.
Regardless, Payton and Jones Jr. figure to play a lot. Turner Jr. began to show flashes last season as he entered the two-deep for the first time in his career. He wasn't always consistent so there are some areas of improvement that will be necessary as he fights to stay in the rotation.
Defensive Tackle:
1. Darrell Jackson, RS Jr.
2. Daniel Lyons, RS So.
3. KJ Sampson, RS Fr.
Jackson is likely to earn a starting role after being forced to sit out all but one game last year due to NCAA transfer rules. He was finally able to play in the Orange Bowl but it was a tough ask to throw someone into the fire against one of the top teams in the country in his first game of the season. Jackson looks like he's taking the Tour of Duty seriously and has all-conference talent. He would probably already been in the NFL if he hadn't have been held back in 2023.
Lyons is ready to take on a bigger role after spending two seasons towards the bottom of the rotation. He's someone that the coaching staff likes a lot and it wouldn't be a surprise he begins to blossom further with more playing time. Sampson is entering his second year with the program after flashing in practice and in limited snaps last season. His growth is something to watch as a former blue-chip recruit.
Defensive Tackle:
1. Joshua Farmer, RS Jr.
2. Grady Kelly, RS Jr.
A homegrown talent, Farmer is back for another year after he briefly considered entering the NCAA Transfer Portal. That's good news for the Seminoles as he's a player who has continued to grow year after year. He was in the middle of a standout season before a hand injury limited him down the stretch. Back healthy, Farmer should be a force in the middle alongside his running mate and friend, Darrell Jackson.
Kelly joins the Seminoles after beginning his career at Colorado State. He was a Freshman All-American and starter for the Rams over the last two seasons. Kelly consistently plays with a high motor and should instantly be in the rotation.
Defensive End:
1. Sione Lolohea, RS Sr.
2. Tomiwa Durojaiye, RS So.
3. Jaden Jones, RS Jr.
Lolohea was a huge addition for the Seminoles in the transfer portal after a productive career at Oregon State. He brings a needed veteran presence and is someone who should provide consistency in the room. Lolohea has the ability to play on running and passing downs. We're expecting him to become a fan favorite.
Durojaiye is another transfers that Florida State acquired in its effort to revamp the defensive end room. He began his career at Kentucky prior to having an up-and-down season at West Virginia last year. Durojaiye has a lot of potential but he's got to show it more often. He's got multiple years of eligibility for the coaching staff to develop him.
Jones wasn't able to crack the rotation during his first year at FSU as he worked his way back from an ACL injury. This is an important spring if he's going to make an impact in Tallahassee.
Middle Linebacker:
1. Shawn Murphy, RS So.
2. Omar Graham Jr., RS So./Blake Nichelson, So.
3. Jayden Parrish, Fr.
The Seminoles are replacing both of their starting linebackers from the last two seasons, making this an extremely important position entering the spring. There's going to be a competition for at least one of the spots as Alabama transfer Shawn Murphy, Omar Graham Jr., and Blake Nichelson grapple for the right to start opposite of veteran DJ Lundy.
Neither of the trio is proven between the lines but they've each had their share of moments. Murphy is well-built and physical along with being a former top recruit. However, he didn't see the field much in Tuscaloosa and there are questions on if he'll be able to step into a larger role out of the gate. That's something that linebackers coach Randy Shannon will be trying to find out.
Graham Jr. got picked on at times last season and that seemed to hurt his confidence. At the same time, he's still young in his career with room to grow. Graham Jr. had surgery early in the offseason and it's unclear where he'll be at physically in March. Nichelson settled in to playing one position as the year went on. He's someone with a lot of upside and it wouldn't be surprising to see him become a familiar face in the rotation in 2024.
Parrish enters his first spring with the Seminoles after enrolling in January. This will be a useful acclimation period as he gets accustomed to what will be asked of him at the college level.
Linebacker:
1. DJ Lundy, RS Sr.
2. Justin Cryer, So.
3. DeMarco Ward, RS Fr./Timir Hickman-Collins
Lundy was thought to be gone after announcing his transfer to Colorado but instead, he's back in garnet and gold for his senior season. The decision was a big one for Florida State as he provides much-needed experience and proven production on the field to a linebacker room that is lacking both of those qualities. He has a chance to be one of the leaders and stars on the defense despite what transpired in the winter.
Cryer joined FSU late last summer after transferring from Northwestern. He's smart, physical, and has the necessary size to be a productive college linebacker. Cryer is still growing and should earn more playing time than he did last year.
Ward was beat-up for most of first season but did have a couple of promising signs on the scout team. Hickman-Collins will be working on developing as he begins his time with the Seminoles.
Cornerback:
1. Fentrell Cypress II, RS Sr.
2. Quindarrius Jones, So.
3. Jamari Howard, Fr.
Cypress II was better than most people thought last season but there was definitely a learning curve as he settled into a system that was different than what he dealt with at Virginia. He should only continue to improve with another year under his belt. Jones has plenty of upside due to his length, athleticism, and ball skills. He's got the talent of an eventual starter for the Seminoles.
Howard is a blue-chip recruit with a high ceiling. He'll be fun to watch grow under defensive backs coach Patrick Surtain Sr.
Cornerback:
1. Azareye'h Thomas, Jr.
2. Ja'Bril Rawls, RS Fr.
3. Charles Lester III, Fr./Cai Bates, Fr.
Thomas is expected to be one of the top players on Florida State's defense with his blend of prototypical athleticism, coverage skills, and length. He could potentially be a star in the making after playing a key role as a reserve over the last two seasons. Rawls made plenty of plays on the practice squad last season. He'll be competing for a role alongside some highly recruited freshmen like Lester III and Bates.
Nickel Cornerback:
1. Greedy Vance, RS Sr./Earl Little Jr., RS So.
2. Kevin Knowles, RS Sr.
3. Edwin Joseph, RS Fr.
Vance returns to the Seminoles with ample experience in the system after his contributions over the last two years. He's gritty, competitive, and is a player who isn't going to back down from a challenge. That's good because he's going to be pushed immensely by Alabama transfer Earl Little Jr. While he didn't play a large role with the Crimson Tide, Florida State believes Little Jr. can bounce back under the tutelage of his former high school coach, Patrick Surtain Sr.
Knowles struggled in his switch to safety and now will probably move back down to cornerback as a member of the rotation. Joseph is working his way back after shoulder surgery sidelined him for most of his freshman year.
Buck Safety:
1. Shyheim Brown, RS Jr.
2. Ashlynd Barker, RS So.
Brown is one of the most talented players on the roster and was more than an ample replacement for Jammie Robinson in 2023. He's on a steady track of improvement and will be one of the vocal leaders on the defense and in the locker room. It would be massive for the defense if he can continue to find ways to get even better.
Barker ended up doing more than expected in his first season at Florida State. There were some fans who questioned the take at the time but he seems to be a capable safety who can fill gaps in the running game.
Safety:
1. Conrad Hussey, So.
2. Davonte Brown, RS Sr./KJ Kirkland, RS Fr.
Hussey will probably be stepping into a starting role for the Seminoles with Akeem Dent moving on. He's a player with a vast ceiling but also someone who is still working on being consistent from down to down. This spring will be vital to unlocking more of his skill set and finding out what he can truly be. If it doesn't work out, FSU has Miami transfer Davonte Brown waiting in the wings as a high-floor option. Brown wasn't very good last season but was previously a productive player at UCF for multiple seasons.
Kirkland fits the mold as a long and athletic defensive back. He was displaying his ranginess and ball skills last spring before an injury ended up setting him back. Kirkland could end up being a really good one for the Seminoles.
READ MORE: Former FSU Football Star Jordan Travis Shows Off Progress Ahead Of NFL Combine
Stick with NoleGameday for more coverage of Florida State football throughout the offseason.
