Mike Norvell spotlights multiple standouts on defensive line

Jared Verse is the obvious superstar on the Florida State defensive front. However, when asked about the group’s play in the latest team scrimmage, head coach Mike Norvell raved about the surrounding pieces along the defensive line.

Norvell first mentioned Joshua Farmer, a redshirt sophomore nose tackle, when prompted to speak on the DL.

“Oh I mean, Josh Farmer, I think, has had a really good camp. (He) had a couple really nice plays there early,” said the FSU head coach.

Farmer totaled 15 tackles, six tackles for loss, and appeared in all 13 games as a redshirt freshman last fall. He could be due for a huge second season, and the same goes for Patrick Payton, a menace in the pass rush who put up 31 tackles and five sacks in ’22. He’s a pretty well known commodity, though, so Norvell gave him some extra breaks during the scrimmage to try out a couple other guys.

“You know, I think Pat Payton. You know, we had him on a number count today because we really wanted to see Gilber (Edmond), you know, and Byron (Turner) get out there play. And yeah, I thought those guys, you know, both flashed, really solid.”

Emond comes over from South Carolina via the transfer portal, meanwhile Turner is a redshirt sophomore with the team this year and is likely to backup Verse.

Elsewhere, Norvell likes his interior defensive linemen and says he plans to rotate guys in and out at that spot.

“I think that interior defensive tackle group, you know, it’s got a chance to be a great strength. And, you know, as they get out there and roll, I think we’re gonna keep guys fresh. I think that we’ve got some some very impactful players.”

Lastly, Mike Norvell reminds folks that practice time can give a good gauge of a player, but you never know what you’re working with, especially on the defensive line, until those live games get under way.

“Once again, when you get down into the corn trenches, you know, you then go back and watch film and see just the consistency of that execution.”

He’s hoping the solid performances he’s seeing in practice will remain consistent into the regular season. Verse and Payton will combine to form one of the ACC’s scariest pass rushing duos, while Norvell just needs that interior depth to come through for him.