As is the case with FSU on offense, most of the success on the field in 2025 on defense will be dictated by the play of the Seminoles’ defensive line. And there is plenty of reason to be optimistic heading into fall camp for Florida State fans.
One, Mike Norvell has totally rebuilt his defensive staff, bringing in Tony White as the team’s new defensive coordinator and an entirely new defensive system. White, who came to FSU from Nebraska, brought two of his assistants with the Cornhuskers with him. Terrance Knighton is the new defensive line coach and Evan Cooper will coach the safeties. Both held the same roles for White at Nebraska. John Papuchis returns this season but he will now be coaching the linebackers. Pat Surtain also returns as the cornerbacks coach.
Two, White’s new defensive system is multiple. His base defense is a 3-3-5 but make no mistake about it you will see four-man and five-man fronts used by the Seminoles depending on the opponent and down-and-distance tendency. White is also expected to use his defensive front more aggressively than former defensive coordinator Adam Fuller did. While there will still be times FSU nose tackles and defensive tackles will be asked to occupy two gaps and free up the linebackers, they will also be allowed to get up field and reset the line of scrimmage especially when they line up in a four-man front. White also will bring pressure from all three levels of the defense, which should help create more one-on-one matchups for his defensive line, especially in passing situations.
Three, FSU’s defensive line room looks much different than it did at the end of the 2024 season.
Knighton was able to convince Darrell Jackson to return for his senior season. If Jackson plays up to his considerable capabilities and continues the momentum he finished last season, he could be one the best interior linemen in the ACC this season. The addition of Deante McCray, who was one of the best defensive ends in Conference USA a season ago, gives FSU a plug-and-play lineman at one of the defensive end spots and should be an upgrade over Patrick Payton, who was underwhelming last season and transferred to LSU. Nebraska defensive end transfer James Williams gives the Seminoles a proven pass rusher off the edge. Coastal Carolina transfer Deamontae Diggs was impressive in the scrimmage we saw in the spring and will have a big role this season. Tennessee transfer Jayson Jenkins missed spring practice due to injury but he has big-time potential and will be given the opportunity to be featured in White’s defense.
FSU’s numbers on the interior of its defensive line allows for versatility in moving from a three-man front to a four-man or five-man front. Jackson, Daniel Lyons, Tyeland Coleman and KJ Sampson all have the versatility to play nose or as a three-technique. McCray and Jenkins also have the size to move inside to play three-technique in a four-man front.
White will also utilize the JACK position in his four-man front, especially in passing situations. Amaree Williams is a solid candidate to fill this role. It is also a position James Williams is familiar with and filled for the Cornhuskers last season. Jaden Jones also has the size and length White looks for at this spot.
2025 preseason defensive line depth chart
Defensive End: Redshirt junior Deante McCray (6-4, 274), Redshirt junior Jayson Jenkins (6-6, 270), Freshman Mandrell Desir (6-4, 265), Freshman Tylon Lee (6-4, 277)
Defensive Tackle/Nose Tackle: Redshirt Senior Darrell Jackson (6-5, 337), Redshirt junior Daniel Lyons (6-4, 292), Junior Tyeland Coleman (6-4, 301), Freshman Kevin Wynn (6-2, 343), Redshirt sophomore KJ Sampson(6-3, 309), Redshirt freshman Jamorie Flagg (6-3, 314)
Defensive End: Senior Demontae Diggs (6-5, 258), Redshirt junior James Williams (6-6, 262), Freshman Darryl Desir (6-5, 261)
Jack (used in four-man front): James Williams, Sophomore Amaree Williams (6-4, 230), Redshirt senior Jaden Jones (6-5, 253), freshman LaJessie Harrold (6-5, 247)
2024 stats
Deante McCray (at Western Kentucky) — 59 tackles, 2.5 sacks
Patrick Payton — 35 tackles, 11 TFLs, 4 sacks
Deamontae Diggs (at Coastal Carolina) — 34 tackles, 5 sacks
Joshua Farmer — 32 tackles, 8 TFLs, 4 sacks
Darrell Jackson — 32 tackles, 4 TFLs, 3.5 sacks
Marvin Jones Jr. — 25 tackles, 6 TFLs, 4 sacks
Daniel Lyons — 25 tackles, 5 TFLs, 3 sacks
Grady Kelly — 19 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, 1 sack Byron Turner Jr. — 13 tackles, 1.5 TFLs
James Williams (at Nebraska) — 14 tackles, 5 sacks
Aaron Hester — 10 tackles
KJ Sampson — 10 tackles
Tomiwa Durojaiye — 4 tackles
Grant Fielder — 1 tackle DD Holmes — 1 tackle
D’Nas White — 1 tackle
Dante Anderson — 1 QB hurry
Jamorie Flagg — 1 pass breakup
Additions and Departures
Post-spring departures: Defensive end Aaron Hester (transferred to Liberty), Defensive tackle D’Nas White
Post-spring additions (Portal): None
Post-spring additions (High School Signees): Defensive end La Jessie Harrold
On the rise
I am going with James Williams and Amaree Williams here. I think both have a chance to be impact players this season. The former has proven himself to be good in passing situations but needs to take the next step in his development and become a three-down player. The latter is expected to play both defensive end and tight end in 2025. But he saw most of, if not all, his reps come on defense this spring. And I think that is where he fits best long-term and looked like a natural at the JACK spot in the scrimmage we saw in April.
Biggest questions
Did FSU hit enough home runs with the transfer players it brought in? James Williams and Deante McCray bring in proven track records as players. However, is Williams ready for a bigger role in White’s defense? And can McCray be as productive against Power Four opponents as he was Group of Five opponents? You can ask the same question of Diggs. Jenkins was highly recruited when he signed with Tennessee, but can he turn his potential into production? And the last question: Will the Seminoles be able to build competitive depth to the point where they have an eight-man or nine-man rotation up front without seeing much fall off from the first-team to the second-team?
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