Mike Norvell reacts to loss of Stephen Dix Jr, names players that could fill in at linebacker

Florida State head coach Mike Norvell announced on Wednesday that linebacker Stephen Dix Jr. will miss the entirely of the 2022 season. Norvell didn’t specify the type of injury or how it happened, but had some words about Dix, his injury, and career at Florida State thus far.

“I do want to make an announcement today, unfortunately we have a young man Stephen Dix is gonna be out for the year. Stephen’s been a great player and teammate in regards to the things he’s had to go through and the things he’s had to do to work and really respond to a lot of adversity that’s shown up over these last few years. Played a ton as a true freshman, last year was more in a limited role but I really like the growth that I’ve seen and unfortunately he’s not going to be available here for this year due to injury,” Norvell said.

Dix made an appearance in all 21 of his games during his first two years and started in five of them, recording 59 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss in his two year stretch. Norvell named some younger players that Seminole fans should expect to see step up this season for Florida State out of the linebacker room and fill in for the loss of Dix.

“It’s one of those things that sometimes is a part of the game, but going to continue to call on some of the younger guys. We’ve talked a lot about that linebacker group, but guys like Omar Graham and Brendan Gant that are going to have to continue to step up and I’m seeing them respond and do that, unfortunate for Stephen but definitely looking forward to his future,” Norvell said.

The Seminoles play in week 0 and take on Duquesne at home this Saturday, as they strive to replace Dix’s production and hope for him to have a speedy recovery.

Mike Norvell announces linebacker Stephen Dix Jr. will miss 2022 season with injury

Florida State head coach Mike Norvell announced on Wednesday that linebacker Stephen Dix Jr. will be out for the season due to an injury. There are scant details about the injury or the timeline for Dix to come back, but it’s a blow to a Seminoles team prepping for a Week 0 matchup just a few days away.

Dix, a redshirt sophomore and former four-star recruit out of Orlando, played in 14 games for Florida State in 2021 and played in all nine of the Seminoles games during his freshman season in 2020.

Florida State opens the season with a Week 0 matchup against Duquesne at 5 p.m. on Saturday in Tallahassee before a marquee matchup against LSU in Week 1 in New Orleans.

On3’s Andrew Graham contributed to this report