Florida State is a 45.5-point favorite over Central Arkansas on Saturday. The Bears, Mike Norvell’s alma mater, are 2-2 on the season.
Games against FCS opponents are necessary to fill out FSU’s schedule annually, even if they have often been lopsided.
FSU also has a chance to evaluate the full depth chart, from the Nos. 2 or 3 options at each position. It’s a chance for older veterans who don’t enjoy much playing time to get a few drives. And it’s an opportunity to see how much the freshmen have absorbed of the playbook and what level of comfort they have for playing within the scheme.
The Seminoles have some important ACC games ahead, playing host to Virginia before traveling to Louisville on a Friday (Oct. 9) and playing at Miami on Oct. 17 before the second bye week.
Because the opener against New Mexico State was a close one into the fourth quarter, FSU didn’t get a good look at the backups. The game against Central Arkansas (3 p.m. on ACC Network) is an ideal time for coaches to evaluate depth on offense and defense.
The concern coming into 2026 was the lack of big bodies on the defensive front, which was a factor in the Seminoles loss to the Crimson Tide. Alabama’s offensive line averaged 6-5, 319 pounds compared to an FSU front that often included Daniel Lyons (292), the Desir twins (270s), Deante McCray (291), Rylan Kennedy (251) and Jalen Anderson (232).
FSU held Bama to just 27 yards on 14 carries in the first half, but the Tide rolled over a worn down FSU front in the final quarter with 124 yards on 14 carries, including a nine-play, 90-yard dagger to seal the game, 80 of those yards coming on the ground.
FSU must test, even manufacture, depth to fortify the front for upcoming tests against Virginia, Louisville and Miami.
Today, we’ll take a look at the defense. On Thursday, we looked at FSU’s offense. Here’s one reserve at each position group that we’re curious about watching. Here’s who we want to see.
Nose guard Kevin Wynn
The consensus four-star Georgia lineman chose FSU over Texas, Georgia and South Carolina. Wynn was ranked the No. 59 overall recruit in the nation by 247Sports (No. 10 DL) and No. 74 overall prospect (No. 9 DL) by On3.
Wynn (6-2, 314 pounds) played in four games in 2025 before being redshirted. After losing weight, he has rotated some with Daniel Lyons this year, accumulating four tackles in three games. Wynn had 14 plays against Alabama with two tackles and was graded at 74.4 by PFF on 10 run plays and 58.4 on four pass rushes. Wynn’s 74 PFF grade against Bama is his season high, with a PFF grade against New Mexico State of 56.8 and SMU 52.2.
Defensive tackle: Pick ‘em
The Seminoles signed a talented freshman class in December that included Franklin Whitley (6-6, 282), Wihtley Cadeau (6-5, 284) and Earnest Rankins (6-4, 274).
With practices closed and participation thus far minimal, this is a blind call and we are left to rely on coaches post-practice comments. We would like to see them give them all, particularly Whitley and Rankins.
Linebacker Karon Maycock
Linebackers Chris Jones and Omar Graham Jr. need help as injuries have stacked up with the loss of Blake Nichelson for an extended period and freshmen Izayia Williams and Daylen Green for the season.
Caleb LaValle and Mikai Gbayor have flashed but also have been nursing injuries.
We are likely to see more AJ Cottrill (6-0, 229), who is a veteran, and would like to get a long look at freshman Karon Maycock (6-1, 220), who has drawn good reviews from practice observers. Maycock was a consensus top 100 linebacker, who was ranked No. 27 nationally by Rivals and No. 43 by ESPN.
“He made two plays that you're just like, 'That's why you're here.' Athletic, fast and explosive,” FSU defensive coordinator Tony White said during spring ball. “Like with all those young guys, they're here because they're athletically gifted,” White said. “But then when you see the knowledge behind it, when you see now they're starting to play hard, you see the all the time spent in the VR (virtual reality) room and Ernie Sims' office and all those things.
“And when it comes to fruition on the grass, that's awesome to see. He's one that's coming up. His intensity, his focus is just passion to play, like you see him starting to show up a lot, which is awesome for that room.”
Also like to see freshman Noah LaValle (6-2, 227).
Secondary: Tre Bell
Nine defensive backs have played this year so there’s enough film for Norvell and White to evaluate dependability, which coaches say is the best ability.
Two expected starters – KJ Kirkland and Karson Hobbs – have missed playing time, with Hobbs out for the season and Kirkland playing a limited roll against the Tide.
Four secondary players are among the top five players on the defensive production chart: Corner Ja’Bril Rawls (22 tackles), safety CJ Richard (21), rover Ashlynd Barker (18) and safety Ma’khi Jones (18). Nehemiah Chandler (5) is 12th on the tackle chart.
Other players who have been in action: Quindarrius Jones (3 tackles, 1 interception, 1 PBU), Ricky Knight III (3 tackles), Max Redmon (2), Antonio Cromartie Jr. and Charles Lester (1 each).
The eye in the sky don’t lie: The issues, and the offenders, should be obvious. If the issues can be fixed with the aforementioned players, then use Central Arkansas to reset and polish. But if dependability has been an issue, test one or more of the following players: Jamari Howard (6-2, 190 Jr.), sophomore Zae Thomas (6-3,207), or freshmen Tre Bell (5-11, 199), Jordan Crutchfield (6-3, 218) and Chuck Kennon (6-2, 188).
And of those, Bell has intrigued me most. The Miami Herald 7A-4A Defensive Player of the Year was a two-way player in Opa Locka who earned a consensus four-star ranking from the various services.
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