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We’ve got the first depth chart of the season posted and it is a doozy.
The first thing that pops out is that star safety Hamsah Nasirildeen is not listed on the initial depth chart. We know that he will be unavailable for Georgia Tech but Coach Norvell says that he’s very close and expects him back soon.
First reaction: Youth movement.
You’ll notice in the initial depth chart that there are first or second year players everywhere in the depth chart; particularly on the left side of the offensive line and everywhere in the secondary. Travis Jay is listed as ‘or’ for both Free Safety and Buck with initial starters Renardo Green and Jaiden Lars-Woodbey. They clearly want Jay on the field.
Second reaction: New blood on the offensive line
The two holdovers from last year’s offensive line are Darius Washington at Left Tackle and Dontae ‘The Pope’ Lucas at left guard. Everything else was clearly up for grabs this camp with FIU transfer Devontay Love-Taylor taking over right tackle duties; Maurice Smith supplanting Baveon Johnson at center and Baveon sliding over to right guard to beat out Brady Scott.
It’s clear that Mike Norvell’s believes this is his best five for right now and for the future despite where everyone played last year.
Third reaction: Back to a more traditional 4-3 hybrid defense
FSU is playing to its strengths along the defensive line with more of a traditional four down linemen set. Joshua Kaindoh at SDE, Marvin Wilson & Cory Durden at DT/3-tech, Robert Cooper & Fabien Lovett at NG/1-tech and Janarius Robinson as what is now known as the Fox position with freshman Josh Griffis (whom has had a really impressive camp) backing him up. On the huff FSU’s four defensive tackles look to be among the best in the country; you won’t find a better two deep than Marvin Wilson, Cory Duren, Robert Cooper, and Fabien Lovett. They’re clearly the strength of the team.
The freshman bash brothers in DJ Lundy and Stephen Dix also find themselves well entrenched on the two-deep after equally impressive camps backing up starters Emmett Rice, Stephen Warner, and Amari Gainer.
Overall it’s very clear based on this new depth chart that what you did last year doesn’t matter and what you put on film in practice with this new staff is what you get on Saturdays.