Florida State has had good linebacker tandems, notably Kalen DeLoach and Tatum Bethune in 2022 and ’23. As the Seminoles shift from a 4-2-5 to a 3-3-5 alignment, one that also features multiple looks, the coaches made versatility and depth a priority.
Through the spring, summer and preseason camp, how the group has learned the new scheme — with help from Stefon Thompson, who played for new FSU defensive coordinator Tony White at Syracuse and Nebraska — has been a bright spot.
“I’m very excited about our linebacker group. We have great depth,” said John Papuchis, who has shifted from defensive ends coach to linebackers coach in 2025. “I really feel there’s six guys that have competed really hard through training camp. And really all of summer and spring ball if you go back that far. They’re going to have an opportunity to help us. “And we get Caleb (LaVallee) back at some point. That’s going to create even more depth for us.”
The value in bringing in Thompson from Nebraska and Elijah Herring from Memphis is both have 3-3-5 scheme experience. Papuchis said he thinks Thompson and Herring could line up at any of the three linebacker spots.
Where they will line up and what the depth chart looks like won’t come into complete focus for another week until coach Mike Norvell releases his first depth chart of the season for Alabama week.
It’s easier to determine who is in the mix, with FSU evaluating a group of experienced linebackers in Justin Cryer, Blake Nichelson and Omar Graham Jr. as well as transfers like Herring and Thompson. LaVallee has also battled an injury, and his timeline to return is not known. The coaching staff also thinks highly of AJ Cottrill, who had been a walk-on but is 223 pounds and could be in the mix, too. Cottrill has seen extensive playing time on special teams and blocked a punt at Duke in 2024.
How far has the group come in learning the scheme? Thompson almost has a master's degree in the White defense given his previous stops and feels good about the Seminoles' progress.
"When you can make eye contact with one another and you can tell what they're going to do before they do it, I feel like that's when you have a good enough understanding on what to do and how to do it," Thompson said.
After giving the linebackers time to cross train and understand responsibilities of the strongside, middle and weakside positions, Papuchis said it’s now time to slot them in to where they can excel.
“Now that we’re within two weeks of game time, it’s really about making sure that each piece fits to the best of our ability,” Papuchis said. “We have started to tighten up the rotation a little bit, who plays where. Things are really coming more into focus on how that rotation is going to look and what it will look like in 10 days.”
Justin Cryer is a linebacker who has taken a “tremendous jump” during the offseason, Papuchis said. Cryer had 32 tackles, an interception and recovered a fumble in nine games before suffering a season-ending injury and is viewed as among the leaders in the group.
“He's a very smart football player, which then allows him to play fast,” Papuchis said. “That’s one of the things we say program wide, if you understand what you’re doing that allows you to show your speed and physicality. He’s an ultra smart kid who is very conscientious. He’s always trying to do things at a high level. And that is starting to pay off for him.” Omar Graham Jr. battled injuries early in his career but is also fighting for a starting spot. Graham Jr. had 27 tackles, three pass breakups and a sack last fall.
“Knock on wood, this is the longest sustained period that he's been healthy,” Papuchis said. “That has been tremendous for him, just because he's been able to stay in a rhythm. He's been able to stay with his progression. And that's something he hasn't really had the luxury of doing. He’s playing his best football since he’s been here.”
Papuchis noted Blake Nichelson “made a jump in the last week” but is still gaining comfort in the defensive scheme. White’s system has been viewed as a 3-3-5 but with an asterisk that it offers up multiple looks up front. Papuchis sees how the defense adapts to its skill set and can confuse an offense.
“I think the strength of the Coach White system is the versatility that it has,” Papuchis said. “You could be in three-linebacker packages, but be in a four-down rush look, you could be in a three-linebacker package and have three guys off the off the ball. You could be in a four d-lineman package and only have two backers.
“There's a lot of different elements to what we do, and having versatile linebackers that can do a lot of different things is a critical factor to it.”
Respect for Miller, Alabama’s tailbacks
Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer announced on Sunday that Bam Miller, the team’s leading rusher in 2024, would miss the FSU game due to injury. Papuchis reflected on what he had seen of Miller and the Crimson Tide tailbacks in his offseason film review.
“I think he's really good player,” Papuchis said. “Does it make a difference in how we prepare? No, it probably doesn't make any difference in terms of how we prepare, but just the awareness of who we're going against and respect that we have for their whole running back room is going to be there.”
Weinberg impressing with accuracy, leg strength
Redshirt freshman kicker Jake Weinberg had struggled at times in camp, but Norvell mentioned he turned the corner and impressed in FSU’s second scrimmage.
“He's really, really been good the last 10 days,” Papuchis said. “He had a phenomenal scrimmage on Saturday. He was 6 for 6, a long of 63. Made another one that was 58. He’s really in a good place and a good rhythm.”
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