Veteran defensive end Derrick McLendon leaving Florida State Football
After stocking up on defensive linemen through the transfer portal this offseason, the Florida State football program learned Tuesday that the portal flows both ways.
Junior defensive end Derrick McLendon, who started 12 games last season and has played in 37 during his time at FSU, has entered the transfer portal, On3’s Matt Zenitz has confirmed. McLendon is no longer listed on the Florida State official roster.
McLendon ranked second among defensive linemen on the Florida State team in 2022 with 37 tackles. He finished with five tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks.
In 2021, McLendon recorded 4.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. After graduating in December, McLendon will be a grad transfer at his next school.
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Even with McLendon’s departure, Florida State still has very good talent and solid depth at the defensive end position.
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All-America candidate Jared Verse will definitely man one of the starting positions, and redshirt sophomore Patrick Payton was expected to compete with McLendon for the other.
Payton was named ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year last season and ranked second among Florida State defenders with five sacks. Verse led the Seminoles with nine sacks and earned first-team All-ACC honors.
*ALSO SEE: DE Patrick Payton draws rave reviews after Florida State’s first spring scrimmage
The Seminoles also brought in South Carolina defensive end transfer Gilber Edmond, who has looked like a very capable addition through the first four spring practices. He registered 44 tackles, including 9.5 for loss and two sacks last year with the Gamecocks.
Redshirt sophomore Byron Turner Jr., redshirt freshman Dante Anderson and junior college transfer Jaden Jones are likely the next candidates to add depth at the position.
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