Mandrell and Darryll Desir bring out the best in each other. It started early in life and it starts early each morning.
“We are on each other as soon as we wake up,” Darryll said. “First thing, before we go to practice, we argue. Just to set off the tone. Then we’re going to argue in practice and after practice.”
Call it tough love or brotherly love. But the twins have an exceptionally close bond on and off the field. They tease each other. They trash talk. They motivate with their words and their play in practice.
It’s not conventional. But it’s daily life for the twins, who begin their second year playing Florida State’s defensive line.
“Honestly you got to keep them apart. They fight all the time,” defensive line coach Terrance Knighton said with a smile. “They are harder on each other than anybody else. If they’re ever tired they’re using words I can’t say right now. They’re cussing each other out. They’re after each other. They’ve had that expectation, that drive, that push since they were toddlers.
“When those two get going and start yelling at each other and go to blows, everybody moves out of the way and just lets them do what they do. That’s what you love about them: They don’t go to each other for a soft spot. They’re harder on each other than anybody else.”
The Desir twins are a big reason for optimism that FSU’s defense, not just the line, will take a step forward in year 2 of Tony White’s scheme. While Mandrell has often played inside more often and Darryll lined up outside in 2025, in preseason camp they have lined up everywhere.
Mandrell played 339 snaps in 2025, recording 30 tackles, 6.5 sacks and grading out at 69.5 percent by Pro Football Focus as a pass rusher. With 15 pressures and some of his best grades in FSU’s final three games, there’s a sense that he will build off of that in his sophomore year.
“Last year I was playing off just ability, not really knowing the playbook,” Mandrell said. “But going into year 2, I’m confident in our ability as a team and what we’re going to go do. Our defense is flowing better.”
Darryll played 300 snaps, recording 23 tackles, 20 pressures and a sack. He graded better overall as a defender (66.3 by PFF) compared to Mandrell’s 57.4. There’s often a feeling that Darryll is the “other twin,” but his film from 2025 and work this offseason indicate that shouldn’t be the case.
“Looking in the mirror I left way more. I could have done way more,” Darryll said of his freshman season. “I felt like I wasn’t playing at my best. I feel like my full potential wasn’t achieved yet. It was just dipping into the waters. But I know what I’m going to do this year.”
FSU’s defensive line room has often been described as “twitchy” by White. It’s a group that will miss nose tackle Darrell Jackson but has a mix of veterans like Daniel Lyons, Deante McCray and Texas A&M transfer Rylan Kennedy to go with younger linemen like the Desirs and Kevin Wynn. The Seminoles also brought in the nation’s top junior-college end, Jalen Anderson.
Lyons and McCray have often been viewed as the leaders in the room. But while the Desir twins aren’t known for talking much in interview settings, they have found their voice — with each other and teammates.
“You can’t get those two to stop talking. They’re just using it in a positive way,” Knighton said. “They’re being leaders, they understand what it takes. That’s hats off to Deante and Dan showing those guys how to do it. Those guys are ready to be leaders. We’re expecting them to play at a high level this year.”
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