Florida State’s linebackers have been a sore spot the past few years since Kalen DeLoach and Tatum Bethune exhausted their eligibility after the 2023 season.
The Seminoles' linebacker play in 2024 and '25 was reflective of the defense, often showing inconsistency in performance and tackling. Coach Mike Norvell and the staff were convinced they had to upgrade the room this offseason, adding one of the Sun Belt's top tacklers, Chris Jones of Southern Miss, and North Carolina transfer Mikai Gbayor.
Coupled with Omar Graham Jr. and Blake Nichelson returning to campus, plus Caleb LaVallee's comeback from an injury that prompted him to miss all of 2025, the linebacker room appeared to be rebuilt with experienced depth pieces.
FSU's linebackers will now face their toughest test at No. 10 Alabama on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. (ABC). And they will have to do so shorthanded.
Coach Mike Norvell announced on Monday that Nichelson as well as freshmen Izayia Williams and Daylen Green will be out against the Crimson Tide. Norvell indicated Nichelson will be out “an extended period of time,” while Williams and Green are out for the season.
FSU's depth will be thinned and it's likely Jones, Gbayor, LaVallee and Graham will take on the majority of the snaps against Alabama (2-0) on Saturday in Tuscaloosa. The Seminoles can also turn to a veteran like AJ Cottrill, a one-time walk-on, as well as freshmen like Karon Maycock and Noah LaVallee.
“I think this is one of the benefits of what we have with this defense and with this team is the depth in the room,” linebackers coach Ernie Sims Jr. said on Tuesday. “We brought in some guys in the offseason that we feel very confident about and, lo and behold, it's paying off for us. We got some guys we feel confident about even though we had some guys that went down.”
There were expectations for a defensive line that welcomed the likes of Rylan Kennedy (Texas A&M), Jordan Sanders (Texas State) and Jalen Anderson (top junior college end). And there was confidence in a secondary that returned potential All-ACC players like Ja'Bril Rawls and Ashlynd Barker as well as Quindarrius Jones.
But the line hasn't been disruptive enough. And the secondary has seen setbacks due to injury and communication issues. FSU’s new-look linebacker group has taken steps forward, benefitting from an infusion of transfer options.
Jones is tied for the team lead with 15 tackles and has three quarterback hurries. Gbayor filled in for Nichelson in the 27-24 loss to SMU, and he now has seven tackles and a sack in two games.
Caleb LaVallee, who transferred from UNC but missed all of 2025 due to injury, had a tackle for loss and a pass breakup on the same possession against the Mustangs. Omar Graham Jr., who is in his fifth season at FSU, also has 11 tackles.
Sims is just 20 years removed from when he was drafted in the first round by the Detroit Lions. Similar to longtime assistant Odell Haggins, Sims spoke often of the standard that he and the linebackers want to uphold. He said on Tuesday the veterans have been leading and showing younger linebackers the way.
"Really proud of them. I can see the desire in their eyes," Sims said. "The veteran guys: Chris Jones, Mikai Gbayor, Caleb LaVallee. Those guys and Omar Graham, you see them being intentional in the way they prepare, intentional off the field of how they prepare their bodies. Those guys for the most part are trying their best to live up to that identity and live to that standard."
The rotation becomes tougher without Nichelson and the freshmen. And it becomes a key storyline as the Seminoles face an improved Alabama rushing attack as well as mobile quarterback Keelon Russell.
The Crimson Tide have 382 rushing yards and are 48th in the FBS in rush offense. Alabama had 155 yards on 40 carries (3.9 yards per rush) at Kentucky. A year ago, they were 125th in the FBS with just 1,562 rushing yards although they did have 21 rushing touchdowns (tied 63rd).
Alabama features Daniel Hill, a 6-foot-1, 234-pound back who has 27 carries for 151 yards (5.6-yard average). Slowing down a back of that size Saturday is one where FSU's defensive front, not just the linebackers, will have to commit to a physical battle.
And then there's Russell, who will be making his third start in his second year of college football. A five-star quarterback from Texas, Russell has a penchant for turnovers (three in the first half at Kentucky) but also a propensity to evade pressure in the pocket.
"He puts strain on every single position," Sims Jr. said. "Defensive line, how do we control the rushes? How do we keep him in the pocket? How do we not allow him to do what he does best? Run.
"He has the ability to be that +1 player. He’s challenging. You have to be very detailed with your game plan with him."
FSU has not won on the road since November 2023 against another SEC team, Florida. The Las Vegas oddsmakers aren't convinced an upset is in the making putting the line around 20 points in Alabama's favor.
Sims and defensive coordinator Tony White could opt to turn to Maycock, a freshman who was praised in camp. Or they could look to Cottrill, who has mostly been a special teams player but has 33 career tackles (15 of them in 2025, plus 1.5 sacks).
It's all hands on deck as FSU seeks what would be a monumental upset and a rare road win.
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