Earlier Position Previews: Wide Receiver |
Spring camp opens with several questions for the Florida State football team, even on the defensive line, which appears to be a major strength in 2017.
After finishing with just 17 sacks in 2014 and 32 in 2015, the Seminoles ranked first in the nation with 51 sacks in 2016. Much of the line's production was led by senior defensive end DeMarcus Walker, whose 16 sacks were second in FBS. Although the Seminoles lose Walker, they will return three of four starting linemen in addition to budding star Brian Burns, while also bringing in five-star prospects Josh Kaindoh and Marvin Wilson.
Returning Players in 2017
FSU returns experience and depth across its defensive line. The Seminoles bring back six scholarship defensive ends alongside Kaindoh, who is an early enrollee.
Walker's departure leaves junior Josh Sweat as the team's most experienced defensive end going into the spring. Sweat, a former five-star prospect, has battled through injuries during this two seasons in Tallahassee. But he played in 12 of the team's 13 games in 2016 and finished with 41 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, seven sacks and six quarterback hurries. There's also Burns, who led all FBS freshmen with 9.5 sacks in 13 games. Both Burns and Sweat have played primarily weakside defensive end, so it's not certain who will be Walker's replacment on the strong side.
There's far less mystery for the Seminoles at defensive tackle, with redshirt junior Demarcus Christmas and senior Derrick Nnadi back as starters. Christmas, who was overshadowed at times, started all 13 games last season. He finished with 21 tackles, five pass deflections and two sacks. Nnadi, widely considered by teammates to be FSU's strongest player, was slowed by an ankle injury but started and played in all but two games. Nnadi ranked fifth on the team with 49 tackles. He also had 10.5 tackles for loss and six sacks.
FSU has a good bit of depth returning at defensive end, but much of it is unproven. The Seminoles return redshirt senior Keith Bryant, redshirt junior Adam Torres and redshirt sophomore Jalen Wilkerson. All three players switched from other positions and have been in their current roles for less than a year. FSU also returns redshirt freshman defensive end Janarius Robinson, who missed the entire 2016 season while recovering from shoulder surgery.
At defensive tackle, the Seminoles return junior Walvenski Aime, redshirt junior Fred Jones, redshirt sophomore Darvin Taylor II, redshirt junior Arthur Williams and redshirt freshman Cedric Wood.
