Breaking down Florida State’s returning experience from 2023
As Florida State looks to carry over its success from last season, it will thankfully also carry over a few of the players who helped it achieve it. Players like Jordan Travis, Keon Coleman and Trey Benson who lit up the scoreboard on offense are gone, but the Seminoles have a number of key defensive pieces returning.
Although big names such as Jared Verse and Kalen DeLoach have moved on to the NFL, plenty of familiar faces will be back in Tallahassee. Patrick Payton will return as the team’s primary pass rusher after finishing with seven sacks and 10 passes defended in 2023. He is perhaps the most obvious returning player expected to play a large role.
In a recent appearance on the Andy Staples On3 podcast, Ira Schoffel of Warchant.com pointed to a couple of others expected to expand their roles.
“Azareye’h Thomas wasn’t a starter at corner last year, but I think his upside’s probably higher than Renardo Green, who just went in the second round of the NFL Draft,” he said. “He was basically the third corner last year, but he’s a big-time player. Had a great spring. DJ Lundy was not a starting linebacker. The two starters were (Tatum) Bethune and DeLoach, but Lundy played almost as many snaps as they did. He was one of the top tacklers on the team. He’ll be a starter now.”
Thomas still tied for second on the team behind Green this past season with 10 passes defended in a reserve role. He also had 29 total tackles and one forced fumble. He isn’t the only returner for the Seminoles at cornerback, as Fentrell Cypress is also back after recording eight passes defended and should start on the left side.
Lundy will shoulder a much bigger load in 2024 with both DeLoach and Bethune gone. He still ranked third on the team with 54 tackles (six for loss) as well as two sacks this past season and could be a candidate to finish first in tackles this year.
As far as the defensive front, Schoffell pointed out that Darrell Jackson sat out all last season after transferring from Maryland. He and Georgia transfer Marvin Jones Jr., a former five-star recruit, provide promise.
“Defensive line you’ve got guys that are stepping up as well,” Schoffell said. “Again, Darrell Jackson was at times maybe the best defensive lineman in practice but wasn’t eligible last year. They also did really well in the portal. Mike Norvell, he’s done a really good job of marrying the two. Marvin Jones Jr. from Georgia who people may have forgotten about because he didn’t do a ton at Georgia, but he looks like the five-star kid out of high school who could be a game breaker at defensive end.”
With those returning players as well as the offseason additions, it’s shaping up to be another strong season for the Seminoles. The offense will also bring back running back Lawrance Toafili and receiver Ja’Khi Douglas in addition to others.
Florida State will aim to carry the momentum from last year’s undefeated regular season and ACC Championship as they look to make the 12-team College Football Playoff.