FSU football’s 2018 defense will showcase potential, if not experience

Florida State was billed to be one of the nation’s top teams heading into 2017 before disaster struck en route to a disappointing 7-6 campaign.

The Seminoles’ defense was part of the reason why many thought that FSU could contend for a national title. Despite having several senior starters and future NFL draft picks, FSU finished 33rd defensively per Football Outsiders S&P+ rankings.

New defensive coordinator Harlon Barnett will have a tall task in replacing eight starters from last year’s defense. Not only did Florida State lose high draft picks like Derwin James and Derrick Nnadi, but the team also lost several players with many years of starting experience. With limited experience waiting in the wings, expectations might need to be lowered on defense in Barnett’s inaugural season in Tallahassee.

Defensive End

Josh Sweat’s 31 career starts is an impressive number, given that he arrived in Tallahassee fresh off a major knee injury as a high school senior. Although Sweat never blossomed into a premier pass rusher in college, his 138 total tackles and 29 tackles for loss are nothing to scoff at.

Entering his junior season, the pressure will be on Brian Burns to replace this production. Burns started all 13 games last season and could be a candidate for the 2019 NFL Draft should he continue to grow as a pass rusher.

Aside from Burns, there are bodies at defensive end, but no proven production. Walvenski Aime has played in quite a few games at defensive tackle, but switched to end in spring practice and could be a candidate to start in Sweat’s role on the strong-side. Joshua Kaindoh is a former Top-10 recruit who notched four sacks against an overmatched Delaware State. Janarius Robinson is likely the first man off the bench behind those names.

Defensive Tackle

The loss of Derrick Nnadi cannot be understated. The Virginia native started a whopping 39 games for the Seminoles and totaled 165 total tackles and 24.5 tackles for loss during his four years in Tallahassee.

However, Florida State got a major boost when Demarcus Christmas announced he would be returning for his senior season. Christmas has been Nnadi’s running mate at defensive tackle, starting all 26 games over the past two seasons. His leadership along the defensive line will be a major key for FSU this season.

There are a plethora of options to play alongside Christmas as well.

Fred Jones is the nephew of former Florida State great Marvin Jones and has greatly outplayed his low three-star ranking coming out of high school. Marvin Wilson was the nation’s top defensive tackle recruit last season but missed spring practice due to injury. Either could start at tackle this season.

Behind those players are Arthur Williams (who might finally be finding a role as a senior) Cedric Wood, Ja’len Parks and Cory Durden.

Linebacker

This is perhaps the position with the most question marks heading into 2018.

While none of Matthew Thomas, Ro’Derrick Hoskins or Jacob Pugh were drafted, the trio combined for 66 starts during their time at Florida State. Thomas never lived up to his recruiting ranking, but he flashed at times and was an above average starter at linebacker.

The problem exists when looking at what the Seminoles return in 2018. Luckily, there will only be two linebackers on the field, given that Florida State will primarily play a 4-2-5 defense.

Dontavious Jackson is the most experienced player in this group, having started a handful of games over the past two seasons. A former blue-chip recruit, Jackson has played well when called upon and will probably start at middle linebacker, or MIKE, this coming season.

Adonis Thomas, a former junior college recruit, is the only other player with starting experience. Emmett Rice and Josh Brown are entering their third seasons in Tallahassee, but neither has proven anything outside special teams. The two young guns, Leonard Warner and early enrollee Amari Gainer, are unknowns as well. Check out how many zeroes dot the resumes of the LB corps:

Cornerback

The loss of former All-ACC cornerback Tarvarus McFadden is somewhat lessened by the fact that the former five-star recruit struggled mightily as a junior. After recording eight interceptions in 2016, McFadden failed to snag one in 2017. His 26 starts are significant, but the Seminoles have recruited cornerback as well as anyone in the country.

Rising junior Levonta Taylor is a former Top-10 recruit who enjoyed a breakout season in 2016. Taylor started all 13 games at field cornerback, snagged two interceptions, and finished as one of Pro Football Focus’ highest rated college cornerbacks.

Kyle Meyers is another junior who has played quite a few snaps for Florida State. He is sometimes the forgotten man but has performed well when called upon. Stanford Samuels III needs no introduction, and the sophomore is a leading candidate to start in 2018 after an impressive freshman season. Finally, Carlos Becker is a former blue-chip recruit, but he has struggled with injury during his career.

Safety

The loss of Derwin James cannot be overstated. He was by far the team’s most talented player last season and often times made up for his teammates’ mistakes. The Seminoles also lost seniors Trey Marshall and Nate Andrews, both of whom had up-and-down careers but were solid starters.

Luckily, Florida State returns at least one player with starting experience in A.J. Westbrook. The former three-star recruit has started 13 games for FSU, mostly when James was injured in 2016.

Sophomores Hamsah Nasirildeen and Cyrus Fagan each got increased playing time as the season went on with the former earning two starts. Early enrollee Jaiden Woodbey has also turned heads and is a leading candidate to start at the STAR position in 2018.

There’s certainly talent across the Seminole defense. However, it remains largely unproven. Let’s see how this unit adapts to a new scheme, how well its players perform together, and the level of effort put forth.