Florida State fans are wondering if “this” defensive lineman will take a step forward and wreak havoc alongside freshman All-American Mandrell Desir. Senior Daniel Lyons is submitting his name for your consideration.
“I got a lot to prove still,” Lyons said. “A lot to prove to me, people in the building, my coaches, my teammates and people in my room.”
When asked in a few subsequent follow-up questions what he wanted to achieve, Lyons was economical in his words.
“That I’m that. I’m really like that,” Lyons said.
Define “that,” Lyons was asked.
“Relentless. Everything. I’m just that player. I’m that guy,” Lyons said.
Lyons has shown glimpses of being that guy. He started 12 games at defensive tackle in 2025, recording 26 tackles with 3.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and a forced fumble. Playing alongside Darrell Jackson, a fourth-round pick by the NY Jets, Lyons had two tackles, a sack and a forced fumble in the upset of Alabama. He later had four tackles at Virginia, a tackle for loss against Miami and a career-best six tackles at Florida.
The 6-foot-4, 292-pound Lyons has been at FSU through good times and bad. He committed in the summer of 2021, playing four games as a true freshman and then making 16 tackles in 2023. Lyons added 25 tackles as a reserve in 2024, including five stops vs. North Carolina.
But now with Jackson off to the NFL and FSU seeking candidate along a three- and four-man front, Mandrell Desir and twin Darryll Desir are viewed as FSU’s top options with Texas A&M transfer Rylan Kennedy jumping in as an edge rusher who is versatile enough to move around the defensive front.
On a team with 60 newcomers, coach Mike Norvell was asked on Monday, what players have shown to make progress in the offseason. The first name he mentioned was Lyons.
“Daniel Lyons is a guy that stands out on the defensive front,” Norvell said. “He's played, he's been active, but really, you feel every bit of his urgency, and just being a leader, being somebody that, I think has a chance to really be impactful.”
FSU’s coaches think Lyons could be a late bloomer. He has 71 career tackles in 42 games. That experience as well as his familiarity with Tony White’s scheme has helped Lyons be confident.
He also feels the defensive front is a tight-knit group. There’s an unselfishness to the linemen, and Lyons thinks the guys are able to coach each other, too.
“There’s no ‘me’ guys. If I say something to you, I’m not trying to criticize you or down talk you,” Lyons said. “I’m trying to make you better. We got to be one.”
FSU has linemen who are candidates to take on bigger roles. Beyond the Desir twins, Deamontae Diggs, Kevin Wynn and Lyons have contributed at FSU. Kennedy, Texas State transfer Jordan Sanders and junior college end Jalen Anderson also bring experience to the table. There’s also a large group of freshmen.
Lyons insists the group is ready. He is ready to go, too.
“For me being in this defense, second year, I’m able to play faster,” Lyons said. “Just go. Know without thinking.”
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