Marvin Wilson, a projected 1st round NFL pick, is the leader of a deep FSU defensive tackle group. Behind him is Corey Durden, MS State transfer Fabien Lovett, Robert Cooper and Tru Thompson. With so much depth at this position you may see Wilson and Durden get some snaps at defensive end as well. In new defensive coordinator Adam Fuller’s scheme there is a big D-end on one side and a quicker guy that could drop into coverage on the other side. Joshua Kaindoh will play the traditional D-End while Janarius Robinson will playing the other side. Quashon Fuller will back up Kaindoh while Derrick McClendon will be the back up to Robinson.
The starting outside linebackers will most likely be Emmitt Rice and Amari Gainer with Leonard Warner at middle linebacker. Gainer’s position is more of a safety hybrid so DeCalon Brooks will be his backup. Players behind Warner and Rice on the depth chart are mostly freshman and sophomores. Second year players that will get some snaps are Kalen DeLoach and Jaleel McCrae with freshman Stephen Dix and Kevon Glenn getting in on the action as well.
The ‘Noles have plenty of playmakers at all four positions in the secondary. Tackling machine Hamsah Nasirildeen and Jaiden Lars-Woodbey will be the safeties while Asante Samuel will take one of the corner spots. Opposite of Samuel will be a pair of transfers Meiko Dotson and Jarrian Jones or Akeem Dent. With so much depth in the defensive backfield compared to the depth at linebacker, you may see FSU bring an extra DB onto the field. When this happens Nasirildeen will move closer to the line scrimmage while Cyrus Fagan or Travis Jay will come in to play free safety.
Special teams
Ryan Fitzgerald and Parker Grothaus are neck and neck at kicker while Tommy Martin should be able to hold off Alex Mastromanno at punter.
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