The 2015 Florida State defense was a fairly strong unit last year. It ended the year ranked 19th in total defense and ninth in scoring defense. Going into the 2016 campaign, the Seminoles will have some big shoes to fill. The biggest void is the one left by All-American cornerback, Jalen Ramsey. Ramsey was a staple of Florida State’s secondary for the last three years. He was the first true-freshman to start at corner since Deion Sanders in 1985. In addition to Ramsey, Florida State has to also replace its last year’s leading tackler, Reggie Northrup, as well seniors, Terrance Smith, Nile Lawrence-Stample, Lamarcus Brutus, and Tyler Hunter.
2016 Preview
Defensive Line
Florida State will enter the season with one of the better defensive line units in the country. Senior DeMarcus Walker recorded double-digit sacks in 2015 and will be looking to improve his draft stock in 2016. Sophomore Josh Sweat defied the odds in his freshman campaign by overcoming a torn ACL his senior year of high school in time to play in all 13 games. By the end of the year, he had started nine games recording 41 tackles, two sacks, and an interception. In the middle, the Noles will rely on junior, Derrick Nnadi and, sophmore Demarcus Christmas. Nnadi returns as Florida State’s starter at nose guard while Christmas will look to fill Nile Lawrence-Stample’s shoes at tackle.
Linebackers
Florida State will face the biggest question marks at linebacker this season. With Reggie Northrup and Terrence Smith gone, the ‘Noles will have to replace 160 tackles from 2015. A trio of juniors, Jacob Pugh, Matthew Thomas, and Ro’Derrick Hoskins will look to fill those voids. Hoskins, who will take over the role of the “Mike” comes into 2016 after recording six starts and 52 tackles last year. Matthew Thomas, a former five-star recruit out of Miami, is coming off a shoulder injury that sidelined him in 2015. He had 26 tackles in eight games during his 2014 campaign. Jacob Pugh, who split time between linebacker and defensive end last year, had 32 tackles and three sacks.
Star
The hybrid linebacker/defensive back “Star” position has been a staple for Florida State’s defense under Jimbo Fisher. The star is usually the most versatile player on the defense and is responsible for everything from creating pressure, to stopping the run and covering slot receivers. Derwin James took on that role last year. He successfully followed in Lamarcus Joyner and Jalen Ramsey’s footsteps in wrecking havoc all over the field. However, James will be moving back to strong safety this year paving the way for Trey Marshall to take over. Marshall is by no means a newcomer to the position, though. In 2015 he saw snaps as star and safety before a torn biceps sidelined him for the second half of the season. That experience could very well prove to be vital to a relatively young linebacker and secondary.
Secondary
Headlining Florida State’s secondary this year will be senior cornerback Marquez White. White enters into 2016 with a fair amount of hype having been named as a Thorpe Award and All-American candidate. White started at corner opposite of Jalen Ramsey last season. He ranked second in the ACC in completions-per-target and was only targeted on seven percent of the time by opposing quarterbacks. On the other side of White will be former 5 star sophomore, Tarvarus McFadden. McFadden saw action in seven games last year and might compete for a returner spot.
On the back end, Florida State will have the aforementioned James and Nate Andrews manning the two safety spots. James is currently recovering from off-season foot surgery but should be ready to go by the opener. He had a strong freshman season tallying 91 tackles and forcing a pair of fumbles. Andrews, a senior, is one of the few remaining defenders that had significant playing time in 2013’s championship season. Andrews enters in to 2016 having accrued 108 tackles and seven interceptions in his previous three seasons. Like his counterpart, Andrews is moving to the safety position after spending 2015 at corner. However, Andrews is very familiar with the role and is actually returning to the position he spent his first two years in Tallahassee playing.
2016 Outlook
Florida State’s defense should have a better statistical year in 2016. The ‘Noles return enough talent to be a special unit. The additions of players like five-star defensive back Levonta Taylor and four-star ends Brian Burns and Janarius Robinson could make Florida State one of the best in the nation. This defense will face its fair share of obstacles this year. The ‘Noles will have to try and contain two of the best quarterbacks in the nation in Deshaun Watson and Chad Kelly. If those tasks weren’t already daunting enough, facing the likes of Louisville’s Lamar Jackson and Larry Fedora’s juggernaut North Carolina attack will test just how dominant the ‘Noles defense can be.
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