Warchant Top 40: Two veteran FSU linemen lead the way as countdown approaches top 10

It’s time to look ahead to the 2023 Florida State football season with Warchant’s annual list of the Top 40 players on the Seminoles’ roster — the players we expect to make the biggest impact for FSU this fall. (Note: This is not necessarily the 40 most talented players, but the players we believe will have the opportunity and capability to make the biggest impact this season.)

The list was compiled through voting by Warchant’s Gene Williams, Ira Schoffel, Corey Clark, Jeff Cameron, Aslan Hajivandi and Tom Lang.

The Top 40 will be revealed in segments, continuing today with players No. 11 through No. 15.

Earlier Installments: Players No. 36-40 | Players No. 31-35 | Players No. 26-30 | Players 21-25 | Players 15-20

No. 15 (TIE) — Senior LB Kalen DeLoach

Experienced linebacker who should benefit, along with fellow senior Tatum Bethune, from a potentially dominant defensive line in front of him.

DeLoach was one of the best players on the team in the second half of the 2021 season and started off the 2022 campaign looking like he was just going to build upon that performance. But in reality, he seemed to have an up-and-down junior year. He finished with 65 tackles, including seven tackles for loss and three sacks, but there were moments where he wasn’t much of a factor for the FSU defense.

That could change in 2023. Not only will he have that aforementioned front line making life easier for him this year, but head coach Mike Norvell said DeLoach took a big step as a leader and a consistent performer this spring. If he can be that guy, the one that dominated Boston College in 2021, the one that was all over the field against LSU a year ago, then the Seminoles could perhaps have one of the most productive linebackers in the ACC.

Individual rankings — Gene (17), Ira (18), Corey (15), Jeff (15), Aslan (19), Tom (15).

No. 14 — Junior OL Maurice Smith

He’s been featured somewhere on this list for years now, because he has been a vital part of this offense for most of this decade. And he’s still just a redshirt junior.

Smith has started 29 games in his college career already. If he finishes out his eligibility and stays healthy, he has a very real shot at 50 college starts. And he’s been at the heart of an offensive line group that has gone from dismal to downright good since offensive line coach Alex Atkins took over.

Last year, Smith put on much-needed weight and muscle and became much more of a stable force in the middle of the line for Atkins and head coach Mike Norvell. He didn’t get pushed around much at all, and in fact, there were plenty of times where he was the one doing the pushing. Smith figures to be bigger and better this season than he was last, and if he can hold off the competition that has been added to the roster, he figures to once again be the starting center for the Florida State Seminoles.

Individual rankings — Gene (19), Ira (11), Corey (21), Jeff (16), Aslan (14), Tom (11).

No. 13 — Senior CB Renardo Green

In a way, he came out of nowhere to be one of the most valuable members of the entire FSU defense in 2022. Green started his career in 2019 as a cornerback and then was moved to safety; he also dealt with injuries along the way. Heading into the 2022 preseason, he was a bit of an afterthought in the secondary for the Seminoles. Well, that was the wrong thought. All Green did was put together one of the best seasons by a cornerback in the conference.

He finished 2022 with 58 tackles and five pass breakups. He earned All-ACC honorable mention honors and was given the team’s Most Improved Player award on defense. He started 12 games for the Seminoles and was rock-solid throughout.

The other cornerback spot might be up for grabs this August. And as Norvell likes to say, nobody is guaranteed of a starting job in the preseason. But as long as he is healthy, the redshirt senior Green figures to be about as safe a bet as anyone else on the defense to be starting in Orlando against LSU.

Individual rankings — Gene (18), Ira (12), Corey (13), Jeff (13), Aslan (10), Tom (19).

No. 12 Sophomore DB Shyheim Brown

When it’s all said and done, he might end up being one of the most important players on the entire team. And there’s a chance this ranking could even be too low.

Because not only is Brown talented and confident and brash, but he plays a position of vital importance for Florida State heading into 2023. Unlike so many other spots that are loaded with experience and veterans, the safety position is basically Brown, Akeem Dent and a whole lot of question marks.

Brown became an instant legend when he blocked LSU’s potential game-tying extra point in the Super Dome last September. And he also had a critical pass breakup the following week against Louisville, but playing behind Dent and Jammie Robinson, Brown didn’t quite have a breakout year in 2022. He finished with 36 tackles and 1.5 sacks.

That could change this season. And if it does, if Brown lives up to the lofty expectations, then the Seminoles could have themselves a real difference-maker at the safety position. And that would be huge for the team’s championship chances.

Individual rankings — Gene (9), Ira (16), Corey (9), Jeff (14), Aslan (16), Tom (17).

No. 11 — Junior OL Robert Scott

Much like Maurice Smith, he has been a staple of the Seminoles’ offensive line for years now. And he’s a terrific illustration of just how far this unit and the program has come.

He’s now entering his fourth year in the system, and while just a redshirt junior, he still has 29 starts under his belt. He’s gotten better each season and is currently listed at 6-foot-5, 304 pounds. Playing the vital left tackle position, he was named All-ACC second team last year in helping lead the Seminoles to their best offensive season since Jameis Winston was the quarterback.

Scott’s presence on the left side of the FSU line, protecting Jordan Travis’ blindside, makes him an invaluable member of the offense and one of the most important players on the team. If he is healthy (he missed the spring due to an injury) and can fight off the competitors currently on the roster, then he figures to be one of the best tackles in the conference again in 2023.

Individual rankings — Gene (7), Ira (8), Corey (14), Jeff (21), Aslan (15), Tom (14).

Talk about this story with other die-hard FSU football fans on the Tribal Council.